Arkansas & Missouri (AM) 66 - Alco C420
Photo Gallery
The southbound Monett Turn rolls through Purdy on its way back to Springdale with 25 cars.
Despite its reputation, most of the midwest and mid south is not flat as a pool table, though some parts of it are. The Monett Turn rolls through one of them near Purdy MO with 37 cars for the BNSF.
The Monett Turn approaches the 10 MPH curve at the entrance to the BNSF yard. Thats US 60 on the bridge. Hell drop his train, get whatever cars BNSF has left to take south, shuffle them a bit, since they often work the feed mill at Purdy on the way south, and hell be headed back south after the crew goes to beans.
The Monett Turn is framed by a couple of large trees as it makes its way north with 27 cars.
One last look at the A&M Alcos on the Monett turn.
The Alcos can sprint, but seldom get the chance.
A&M's southbound Monett turn cruises through Purdy, MO.
A&M's Monett turn departs Monett and heads back south. A&M 66 was originally LV 412.
A&M 66 gets her radiator water topped off in front of the Springdale depot. She is ex-D&H 412, nee-LV 412.
The northbound Monett Turn rolls along MO 37 making its way north with its 27 cars.
A&M is ready with three red Alcos and a green one as the Monett Turn rolls along Old Wire Rd in Rogers with 27 cars.
The Monett Turn rolls slowly through the side streets of Rogers as it makes its way behind the buildings down town behind a set of Alcos, all 24 cars of it, catching the last rays of winter sun as it peeks from behind the bank.
The Monett Turn has come around the yard connection and is now on the main. Still ahead is the climb to Purdy, seven miles ahead, though it will be less of an effort with this short 25 car train. MP 283, at far right, is mileage from St Louis.
The southbound train has picked up its cars from BNSF and now takes the connecting track from the yard to the A&M main, flanges squealing as the train holds to the 10 MPH speed restriction around the curve. Its a great way to start. The first several miles of the trip are all uphill.
The northbound Monett Turn seen across the fields north of Washburn, where the tracks and road separate until Butterfield.
The Monett Turn runs alongside MO 37, which follows the tracks more or less between Gateway Ark and Washburn MO. Were almost in Washburn as three Alcos roll 37 cars north.
The Monett Turn, having arrived at its destination, pulls down into the BNSFs ex Frisco yard, where it will drop its cars. The crew will go to beans, then pick up cars left for them by BNSF, and head for home, working at Purdy and Gateway as they head south.
The northbound Monett Turn usually works at Gateway, where there is a sand pit. The other endeavor there is producing hay. The railroad does not participate in moves of this product-to my knowledge-but it does go past a lot of it.
A&M 66 has gotten a new long hood, and a coat of primer at the Springdale shop
The A&M Monett turn gathers speed up the hill out of Monett.
A&M 66 has cut off its train and is about to pull empties and spot loads at Zero Mountain.
Todays train has spotted its loads at Zero Mountain and is ready to head for Rogers. Seen from the JB Hunt crossing at the entrance to their terminal in Lowell.
A&M 66 sits on a shop track, its air filter and possibly other parts removed. Will it ever run again?? New SD70s say no.
A&M 46 leads a line of Alcos, including slug 80, and C 420 66, which has had parts removed.
Photo thru the coach window, as 66 and 68 work a mill.
Lucky to catch the "Turn" on a Saturday with A&M's 46, 48, 60, 68, 66, 54 & 44. Spotted running around her train before heading Noth. Photographed at 13:20.
Alco's rest next to the A&M shops in Springdale.
Monett Turn rolls through Springdale behind 5 Alcos.
Monett Turn rolls through Springdale behind 5 Alcos.
Monett Turn heads north as it prepares to cross Wagon Wheel Rd.
Monett Turn rolls north out of Springdale behind 5 Alcos.
The Monett Turn passes a snowy field and bare tree in this wintry scene approaching Gateway. Typical of the region, when snow falls, its not much and doesnt stay long. In a couple of days this scene will be just another drab winter day.
The Monett Turn approaches Purdy with 25 cars from the BNSF as it heads south back to Springdale
The Monett Turn starts to accelerate as it heads south
The Monett Turn has finished its pick up and is heading for home, just getting started past the former Frisco station site in Rogers
The road power from the Monett Turn has dropped its train on the main and heads past the yard engines on its way to the engine house.
This was my first trip to see the A&M, but certainly won't be my last. Man, are they cool!
On March 3rd, 2012 the Union Pacific was set to deliver a 75 car loaded grain train to them around 12 p.m. in the afternoon, but a slight mixup in the power arrangement plus trackwork got the UP train into Van Buren really late, plus they had left the DPU motor on by mistake so that took another several hours, but finally around 7 p.m. our 8 C420's sitting here finally started dragging 75 Loads of grain up the hill to Springdale, AR.
A&M #68 gets ready to pickup A&M #34 & #32 on 6/20/12 to tahe them back to Springdale after a 5 year hiatus from the A&M. Picture taken by Jared Childress and used with permission here!