3504 "City of Tawas City"   

MLW  M420W

Model: M420W

Builder: Montreal Locomotive Works (Canadian ALCO Licensee )

Built: 1976

Horsepower: 2000

Ex: Canadian National #3504, exx Kelwona Pacific #3504

Namesake: "City of Tawas City"

Nickname: "Tawas City"

Notes: 3504 is one of the LSRCs most recent additions in 2004. Originally built for the Canadian National RR as an M420 with a wide cab, it could also be called a M420W. The unit was retired from the CN roster in the 1990s and sold to the Kelowna Pacific Railroad in Canada ( a wholly owned subsidiary of KnightHawk Incorporated, and of New York & Lake Erie Railroad) in BC Canada.

Being one of the newer additions to the Lake State Railway's Roster in order to meet power requirements for a vast expansion, these units temporarily interupt the original D and M tradition of numbering locomotives for the month and year of acquisition and will retain "3500" series numbering on the LSRC roster. #3504 has recieved a new alternator as well as an attractive LSRC paint job among other upgrades to bring this unit up to LSRC standards.

Utilizing the same prime mover and GE electrical components as the familiar C425M, these 6 new M420Ws join the LSRC workforce as one of the largest aquisitions and will frequently be seen heading trains on the Huron Shore Line.

******* As a side note, this unit had been out of service for about a year and today made its first run from Alpena to Bay City with the 3515. Today is Thanksgiving 2006.