01-31-2014, 10:05 AM
The announcement doesn't say anything about a US version, which of course would not have buffers and would have a pilot/footboards and Janney couplers, as well as a US headlight. These ran on the Alaska Railroad, where one is under restoration, on the Reader Railroad in Arkansas -- I don't know where this one is now -- and remained with the USATC at least through the Golden Spike celebration in 1969, where one was sent to Ogden under steam. Since European and Asian railroads were still using steam at the time, it was probably in the Army's interest to maintain that skill set. I believe an NRHS convention also visited an Army camp where these were used in the 1960s and had a grand fan trip. I don't know what became of any locos that were still with the Army at that time.