Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad

Posted 1/28/08

What is today's SMVRR No. 70, a GE 70-ton diesel electric locomotive, was sold by GE originally to the Arkansas and Ozarks Railway Corporation (A&O). A&O numbered it 900. It was subsequently sold to a sister railroad of the A&O called the Fort Dodge and Des Moines Southern (in Iowa).

The A&O was a 70-mile shortline from Seligman, Missouri to Harrison, Arkansas. It went out of business in 1961. It ran on the old tracks of the Missouri and North Arkansas (M&NA).

Note that the front grills pictured here have since been removed.

No. 70 Began Life on the A&O

GE built this unit in January of 1950 with builder #30381. The picture at left above was taken on November 13, 1954 near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. At right is #70 on the SMVRR in 2015.

Thanks to Steve Hanna for sending the 1954 picture and the info. The 1954 photo was taken by Harold Henre of Kansas City.