Andersen Windows 3110

600-hp Diesel Switcher

In 2000, Andersen Windows Corporation of Bayport, Minnesota donated the smaller of its two plant switchers, the 3110, to the Minnesota Transportation Museum. It arrived on museum property in late November.

Andersen Windows 3110 is a 600-horsepower, model SW-1 switch engine built in June, 1949 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors, S/N 7741. It was delivered to the Wabash as their number 110.

When the Wabash was absorbed by the Norfolk and Western, 110 became the 3110. It served the N&W in Detroit, Michigan until acquired by Andersen Windows. Originally it wore a dark blue paint scheme with "NORFOLK AND WESTERN" spelled out on the side of the hood. (It took the whole hood.) Later it was repainted in black and received a large block-letter "NW" in white. Both versions of lettering are still visible under the white paint. Andersen Windows purchased it in January 1974, and kept the number while repainting it in their striking orange, white and black corporate colors. Its stablemate at Andersen Windows was an NW-2, number 451. Originally fitted with a 6-567-A prime mover, in the late 1970's Andersen Windows had it rebuilt with a modernized 6-567-AC. 3110's electrical cabinet has also been rewired, and the wheels were renewed just prior to being donated.

Interestingly, 3110 had been used by MTM crews several times over the years. MTM regularly provided crews and equipment for Andersen Window's annual company picnics. On at least one occasion, 3110 was used as the motive power. It was perhaps fitting, given its history, that its first revenue operation for the MTM was as motive power at the 2001 Andersen Windows picnic.

From 2002 to 2005, 3110 served as the primary locomotive for the caboose rides at the Jackson Street Roundhouse. It's small prime mover made it a most economical choice. It has missed the 2006 and 2007 seasons, as the shop forces are doing a top-deck overhaul (cam shafts, rocker arms, injectors and valves) and fixing up the brake rigging. NP 105 has been an able backup, and 3110 should be back in operation in 2008. Long-term, the shops hope to restore LST&T 101 as 3110's backup, releasing 105 for Osceola.

Mechanically, this is an interesting locomotive because it represents the smallest standard packaging of the famous EMD "567" diesel prime mover. Under the exhaust stack is a diminutive V-6 567AC, which is almost as wide as it is long. (Very unusual for locomotives.) EMD produced 660 examples of this model between January 1939 until November 1953, when it was replaced by the 567C-powered SW600, which sold a mere fifteen copies before production ended in 1962.

From 3110's Photo Album...

	Switching a boxcar of raw material at the plant.
	Posed with stablemate 451, a 1000-hp NW-2 of similar vintage. The man on 451's running board is Jim Heyer, who is responsible for 451 and 3110.
	At Andersen Windows, 3110 enjoyed a heated garage with an inspection pit.
	An elevated view of 3110's cab end.
	The engineer's seat in the cab. From left to right a light switches, the radio on the throttle stand, the brake stand, and the hand brake.
	Andersen Windows and MTM officials at the 3110's donation ceremony. In the top row from left are Jim Heyer (AW), Mike Miller (MTM), and Don Meyers (MTM). Bob Hawkins (MTM) is on the steps. On the ground from left are Al Viebrock (AW), Terry Cogbill (AW) and Brad Gross (AW)

Sources:

1. "Extra 2200 South" issue 65; text, photo p34.
2. E-mail from Jim Heyer, dated 02/28/2001.