Dear friends and community members,

I'm reaching out to start a fundraiser for the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society to help the restoration of former US Army Transportation Corps ALCO RSD1, #8050.

This 1,000 HP locomotive was built in February, 1943 for the United States Army Transportation Corp. as #8050, specification number E1645, serial number is 70671, for use in Iran during World War II on light rail and in areas where good water for steam locomotives was difficult to source. Its primary use was on the Trans-Iranian Railway running supplies to the Russian army. It is essentially an RS1 but with six powered axles instead of four. The generator and electrical equipment are the same as the RS1, hence poor high speed performance. It returned to States in June, 1945. Upon its return, #8050 was sent to the Columbus Quartermaster Depot in Columbus, Ohio, now known as the Defense Supply Center Columbus, to await disposition or reassignment. #8050 was then reassigned to the US Air Force at Loring Air Force base near Limestone, ME where it interchanged in and outbound shipments with the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad. It could sometimes be seen in Waterville, ME being serviced by the Maine Central Railroad locomotive shop.

Art Davis acquired the #8050 after its retirement from the Air Force, moved it to his DABO, Inc. property and renumbered it to #805 to use as his plant switcher some time after 1981. ORHS acquired the DABO corporate stock in 2015 after Art's death and the #805 was included in the sale.

With the help of your donation, the 82 year old WW2 veteran will be restored to working order and repainted back into its 1943 US Army Transportation Corps livery. The Orrville Railroad Heritage Society is a 501c3 all volunteer organization. Any and all donations are welcome!

The ORHS would appreciate your support!