Kennecott Copper Corp #105

#105 was built in December 1949, and arrived in Ely in January 1950. Its first day in service was January 24, 1950, pulling ore trains along with fellow RS-2 #103. #104 would join in February 1950. January 24th was the last day steam locomotives regularly pulled ore trains over the Nevada Northern.

Alco, formed by the acronym of American Locomotive Company, created the first successful Diesel-Electric switch engine in 1924. In 1941, they began production of their successful Road Switcher series, starting with the RS-1. World War II limited sales of the RS-1, and in 1946 production began on the more powerful RS-2.

The RS-2 was powered by the ALCO 244 Turbocharged V-12 diesel engine. Early engines outputted 1,500 horsepower, though near the end of production in 1950 outputted 1,600 horsepower. 377 RS-2s were made for North America.

In 1948, the first diesels began showing up on the Nevada Mines Division of Kennecott Copper Corporation. The first few were used in the Liberty Pit hauling copper ore and overburden (waste rock) out. Both GE 70-Tonners and Alco RS-2s were trialed, and the RS-2 was found to be superior. In late 1949, Kennecott place an order for 4 RS-2s, #104-107.

Within the first two years of operation, #105 would travel 106,678 miles running ore trains between Copper Flat and McGill. In 1956, Kennecott began transitioning away from using trains in the Liberty pit, and by 1957 most ore trains were loaded by trucks coming out of the pit.

With rail operations in the pit ending, more RS-2s were available for use on ore trains. Two RS-2s running together became the norm, pulling 48-car trains plus a caboose.

In September 1978, Nevada Mines Division closed the mines at Ruth, spelling the end of ore train operations. As the McGill facility was highly efficient at concentrating ore, Kennecott began sending ore from their other facilities in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, as well as other locations, to McGill for processing.

As a large fleet of ore locomotives was no longer needed, Kennecott transferred all but #105 and RS-3 #109 to their Utah Mines Division, where they were ultimately retired. #105 and #109 assisted Nevada Northern #401 pulling the trains between Cobre and East Ely.

After the shutdown of the Nevada Northern in 1983, #105 was stored in the engine house. Los Angeles Dept. of Power & Water purchased the northern section of the line from McGill Junction to Cobre, along with #105, #109, and #401, for a planned powerplant near Cherry Creek. When the powerplant fell through, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum was able to purchase #105 and #109 back from LADPW.

Seven RS-2s survive between North America and Mexico, three of those being former NMD locomotives (#103-105). #105 is the only one still operating on its original line.