Rock Island 743 – ALCO RS1
This RS1 locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Works (ALCO) in May 1943, with Builders No. 70817 (Phase II RS 1). The original owner was the CRI&P (Rock Island) Railroad with a Road Number of 743.
The locomotive subsequently went through many owners:
Owner: Road Number: Date Acquired:
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad 743 May 1943
Hyman-Michaels 243 1968
Birmingham Rail & Loco Chattahoochee Valley 243 3 / 31 / 1968
Birmingham Southern 243 1973
South Hopkins Coal Co. Jiggs 243 1974
Sidney & Lowe Railroad 243 1981
Eddie Birch Jr. & Jim Terrell 243 1986
Oklahoma Railway Museum 743 2000
Donated to the Oklahoma Railway Museum by Eddie Birch Jr. and Jim Terrell in 2000. Repainted to its original appearance as CRI&P No. 743. Currently on display.
