ALCO RS1 #1000 and sister #1001 were the first diesel locomotive on the
Alaska Railroad. Construction Numbers 71319 and 71320, they
were obtained as a special war materials priority in 1944 to serve the
new Port of Whittier through the long tunnels from Portage.
On February 11, 1949, engine no. 1001 dropped into the Anchorage roundhouse
pit, causing both to be out of service from 5:55 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
