The Whereabouts of the Tennessee Valley RSD1 Locomotives
Mike Gerenday

Recently I've been trying to track down information on retired or sold ladies of the Alaska Railroad, starting with the ALCO RSD1. I started to dig into where some of these had gone and their disposition. In 1956, the Alaska Railroad sold five RSD1 locomotives to Tennessee Valley Authority, a large utility company serving Tennessee and surrounding areas. I found out that many of the power plants were rail served since they used coal for a source of fuel. I'm sure they received other commodities but coal was the only one I was told.   

Locomotives 1032, 1033, 1035, 1036 and 1042 were sold to Tennessee Valley Authority and became lost to time. We do know that 1032 became TVA 39, 1033 became TVA 38, 1035 became TVA 43, 1036 became TVA  36,  and 1042 became TVA 48. Other than that, it's what we know. I asked on an ALCO group if anyone had any info on these locomotives. Ron Stafford contacted me and gave me a partial answer. " Those units have not been talked about for several years. I assume they all have been scrapped. But I don't know that for certain. I have nine RSD1s and the Widdows Creek Plant. (Only three are ex-Alaska and therefore only those are going to be listed) 36 ex-Alaska Railroad 1036 originally USA  8650, 38 ex-Alaska Railroad 1033 originally USA 8039, and 45, ex-Alaska Railroad 1051 originally USA 8654." Ron and I continued the conversation and he sent me a couple of images of TVA RSD1 locomotives. The images were taken in the 1970s so we can say at least 1036/TVA 36 was used in that period of time at Widdows Creek Plant. Mr. Stafford didn't have any other info as when they were retired and/or scrapped.    

The second person to contact me was Rick Smearcheck. Rick had done some research on the ALCOs of TVA and had some info to share. " USA 8013 became TVA 43 ( ARR 1035) and was assigned to the Kingston Steam Plant. This one I could never find anything further on. USA 8024, ex-Alaska 1032, returned to USA as 8024, then to TVA as 39, assigned to the Shawnee Steam Plant. USA 8039, ex-Alaska Railroad 1033 returned to USA as 8039, then TVA 38 assigned to Stevenson Steam Plant. USA 8650 ex-Alaska Railroad 1036 returned to USA as 8650, then to TVA as 36 assigned to Stevenson Steam Plant. I believe 36 and 38 went to TVRM for parts or resale."

Most of this information is 20 plus years old from what I was told. Also some information can't be guaranteed. At the time of this writing I am waiting to hear back from Mr. Strafford on his 45 since the numbering from both ARR and USA are not on the ARR roster having ever been here, and since the ARR number conflicts with the RF1 1051. I also believe it's safe to assume that 36 and 38 were reassigned from Widdows Power Plant to Stevenson Steam Plant sometime in their lives. Other than the provided information it is still unclear when the ex-Alaska RSD1s were retired and when or if they were scrapped. Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum and North Alabama Railroad Museum have not shed any light if they have owned any RSD1 locomotives used on the ARR at any point in their past. 

I hope in the future I can discover more info on these RSD1s to add to your rosters as it's an important part of the story. Remember, it's not done yet.