It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 12:48 pm

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 61 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 8:31 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
Don't forget SEPTA 615, the former SP&S 864, which the OP had more to do with being saved than anyone:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40658&hilit=septa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXa4UDPeHBk


Attachments:
615Csmall.JPG
615Csmall.JPG [ 256.42 KiB | Viewed 8226 times ]
Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 9:41 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:24 am
Posts: 298
Location: H2O-town, CT
Where is ex SEPTA 615 currently? I haven't heard anything on it in quite awhile.


Also add the two NY&GL units in operation too. They aren't used in any regular operations that I know of but a few times a year are used for special runs. Atleast one of them had a quick repaint in the past few years. I think one is a FA2 and the other a FPA4, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm worng.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:38 pm 

Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 10:40 pm
Posts: 386
Location: San Francisco, CA
Here is a true railfans quandry; the unit at the Illinois Railway Museum was Long Island #604, but the IRM people are restoring it as Louisville & Nashville #314 A Unit.

In my younger days I commuted on the LIRR; but my grandfather worked on the L&N Railroad. I just have to be glad that there are people interested in the locomotive! If you like Alcos, send money to the IRM web site.

Ted Miles, IRM Member.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2019 11:58 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
MEC_557 wrote:
Where is ex SEPTA 615 currently? I haven't heard anything on it in quite awhile.

The VGNX reporting marks are listed as assigned to the Eastern Virginia Railroad Historical Society Inc 510 Austin St, Norfolk, VA 23503-5504, however this group is not listed as a chapter under NRHS.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 9:08 am 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:26 am
Posts: 4642
Location: Maine
I want to thank everyone for contributing to the thread. Originally, I was mostly concerned with former LIRR FA's, but it's good to know many FPA4's, both A and B units are doing well. If nothing more, the model is not facing the extermination of it's "big sister".
By all means, please keep information coming forward, specifically about the ex-LIRR units being rebuilt or re-powered.

_________________
"It's only impossible until it's done." -Nelson Mandela


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 5:53 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 12:24 am
Posts: 298
Location: H2O-town, CT
ted66 wrote:
Here is a true railfans quandry; the unit at the Illinois Railway Museum was Long Island #604, but the IRM people are restoring it as Louisville & Nashville #314 A Unit.

In my younger days I commuted on the LIRR; but my grandfather worked on the L&N Railroad. I just have to be glad that there are people interested in the locomotive! If you like Alcos, send money to the IRM web site.

Ted Miles, IRM Member.


Because originally it was L&N 314 before becoming a power car (604) on the LI. As they are going through the effort to make it a fully operable unit again it makes sense to go back to it's original operable pedigree.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 6:06 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
MEC_557 wrote:
ted66 wrote:
Here is a true railfans quandry; the unit at the Illinois Railway Museum was Long Island #604, but the IRM people are restoring it as Louisville & Nashville #314 A Unit.

In my younger days I commuted on the LIRR; but my grandfather worked on the L&N Railroad. I just have to be glad that there are people interested in the locomotive! If you like Alcos, send money to the IRM web site.

Ted Miles, IRM Member.


Because originally it was L&N 314 before becoming a power car (604) on the LI. As they are going through the effort to make it a fully operable unit again it makes sense to go back to it's original operable pedigree.

Also, keep in mind that the IRM is the Illinois Railroad Museum, L&N had a main line across the southern part of Illinois into St. Louis, so the unit is consistent with the IRM's mission.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 6:22 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:53 pm
Posts: 200
Quote:
Also add the two NY&GL units in operation too. They aren't used in any regular operations that I know of but a few times a year are used for special runs. Atleast one of them had a quick repaint in the past few years. I think one is a FA2 and the other a FPA4, I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm worng.



I believe that you are referring to the NY&LE units (which is in the other end of the State from the similarly named NY&GL). One is FPA4, and the other, an FPA2u. As I understand it, both (now) use 251 prime movers.


JR


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 6:29 pm 

Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:59 pm
Posts: 351
Location: western Maryland
A couple comments are in order. I am surprised that this has not been mentioned:

Alco cab units are FA/FB 1s and 2s. MLW cab units are FPA/FPB 2s and 4s. There are differences between FA/FBs and FPA/FPBs, because they are not the same locomotives.

Including MLWs in this conversation thread is misleading. There should be a separate thread for them.


This list is exclusively Alco FA-1s and FA-2s that were operated by the Long Island Railroad.

The Long Island Rail Road converted two dozen cab units (mostly Alco) for use on push-pull passenger trains. These converted locomotives provided Head End Power for the passenger cars. These locomotives were not used to propel the train (the traction motors were removed), but the cab was used by the engineer when these units were on the leading end of trains; this elimated the need for cab-equipped passenger cars on these trains. A few of the Alco locomotives kept their 244 prime movers, but the rest had the Alco prime mover replaced by other non-railroad diesel engines.


600 - Survives - FA2 - NYC 1102/PC 1302 - Built October 1951 Builder Number 79301 - Retired by LIRR in 1985 with 244 prime mover intact - Only surviving NYC Alco FA - Owned by Western New York Railway Historical Society

601 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 317 - Built June 1956 - Builder Number 81964 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Owned by Engines Preservation, Inc. - Stored in New Jersey

602 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 309 - Built May 1956 - Builder Number 80903 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Owned by Engines Preservation, Inc. - Stored in New Jersey - To be restored to operating condition using parts from a VIA Alco B Unit

603 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 315 - Built June 1956 -Builder Number 81087 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Owned by Anthracite Historical Railroad Society since 1989 - To be restored as LV 596

604 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 314 - Built June 1956 - Builder Number 81086 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Purchased by Feather River Rail Society/Portola Railroad Museum, and then sold to the Illinois Railway Museum.

605 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 310 - Built May 1956 - Builder Number 80904 - Traded in to GE by L&N - 244 prime mover was replaced - Owned by VLIX - Moved to the Nashville and Eastern Railroad (Nashville, Tennessee) where it will be used as a HEP/Cab Control unit on commuter trains

606 - Scrapped - FA2 - L&N 321 - Built June 1956 - Builder Number 81968 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Scrapped by LIRR Summer 1999 after being wrecked in a grade crossing wreck

607 - Preserved - FA2 - WM 303 - Built January 1951 - Builders Number 78606 - Sold to GE by WM in January 1972 - Moved to Baltimore from the LIRR for restoration by the B&O Museum, where heavy nose damage (grade crossing crash) can be repaired - Scheduled to be repainted in WM paint and restored to operating condition - One of the last three Alcos on the LIRR, removed in March 2000 (last FA2 in service), stripped of all running components - Owned by Gerald Altizer - Now resides on George’s Creek Railway in Western Maryland.

608 - Heavily Modified - FA2 - WM 304 - Built January 1951 - Builders Number 78607 - Sold to GE by WM in January 1972 (Western Maryland's entire FA2 fleet went to the LIRR) - Converted in 1992 to run with the LIRR's first bi-level cars. The nose was chopped off and the unit was covered in stainless steel to match the cars. The locomotives planned for these cars were delayed, so a GP38 pair pulled the train and 608 (renumbered to 3100) provided power. Scrapped in summer of 2018.

609 - Scrapped - FA2 - WM 301 - Built January 1951 - Builders Number 78494 - Sold to GE by WM in June 1972

610 - Survives - FA2 - WM 302 - Built January 1951 - Builders Number 78495 -Sold to GE by WM in June 1972 - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover - Prime mover now inoperable due to freeze damage - The Western Maryland Railway Historical Society is attempting to restore this locomotive. Now resides in Belington, West Virginia.

611 - Status? - FA1 - SPS 856A-2, SPS 857, BN 4102 - Built February 1949 - Builder Number 76672 - LIRR later replaced the 244 with a Detroit Diesel

612 - Scrapped - FA1 - SPS 856A-1, SPS 856, BN 4100 - Built February 1949 - Builder Number 76671 - LIRR later replaced the 244 with a Detroit Diesel - Scrapped in the early 90's after an engine compartment fire - Interior shots (before fire) in the Files section of the LIRR HEP Email List web page

613 - Survives - FA1 - SPS 866A-1, SPS 866, BN 4120 - Built December 1950 - Builder Number 78286 - LIRR later replaced the 244 with a Detroit Diesel - Currently at the Brooklyn Roundhouse in Portland Oregon

614 - Survives - FA1 - SPS 858A-1, SPS 858, BN 4104 - Built April 1949 - Builder Number 76673 - LIRR later replaced the 244 with a Detroit Diesel - The Last of the HEP Cab Units Operated by the LIRR! - One of the last three Alcos on the LIRR, removed in March 2000 to Hydro Power in Bridgeton, NJ for salvage of the HEP unit

615 - Survives - FA1 - SPS 864A-1, SPS 864, GN 442A, BN 4116 - Built April 1949 - Builder Number 76838 - LIRR later replaced the 244 with a Detroit Diesel - One of the last three Alcos on the LIRR, removed in March 2000 to Hydro Power in Bridgeton, NJ for salvage of the HEP unit - Purchased by SEPTA (Philadelphia Commuter Railroad) - Will be used the spread a gel on the railhead to promote adhesion (equipment will be located where prime mover and generator was) - Will be used primarily on the ex-Reading portion of SEPTA - Painted solid blue with yellow handrails - Control stand retained, and cab signal and speed control added. Sold in 2018.

616 - Survives - FA1 - SPS 860A-1, SP&S 860, BN 4108 - Built February 1949 - Builder Number 76675 - In excursion service on the Quebec Central

617 - Survives - FA1 - New Haven 0428 - Penn Central 1333 - Traded in to GE in U23B purchase in 1971 - Prime mover and generator rebuilt by GE, traction motors removed - Repowered with Detroit Diesel in 1987 - 617 is now owned by Danbury Railway Museum, Danbury, CT

618 - Survives - FA1 - New Haven 0401 - Penn Central 1330 - Traded in to GE in U23B purchase in 1971 - Engine and generator rebuilt by GE, traction motors removed - Original 244 intact - Originally sold to the Connecticut Valley Railroad in January 1986 and cosmetically restored as NH 0401 in red and black paint - Under complete restoration by the present owner, Railroad Museum of New England. Ultimately to be restored in the NH green and gold paint scheme.

_________________
Apparently Not A Serious Preservationist


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 9:15 pm 

Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:15 pm
Posts: 594
Kinda sad about the WM 304. The only FA painted in the circus scheme and it was scrapped that recently? What a shame.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Wed Jul 17, 2019 11:17 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 11:26 am
Posts: 4642
Location: Maine
304 had the cab removed and really was only a frame and trucks in the end. A Detroit Diesel sled was installed to produce electricity. By doing that, the LIRR thought it matched a series of cars they were running. It didn't. For awhile it was stored as a portable power supply, then this last year, it went to the torch.

611 and 614 have restoration and operation in their futures. 601 and 602 are getting the most attention at the present.

When i started this thread, my hope was to learn of additional FA's getting grills replaced and PM/Generator sets restored.

_________________
"It's only impossible until it's done." -Nelson Mandela


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 4:06 am 

Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:48 pm
Posts: 126
Location: Watchung, NJ
wm303 wrote:
...

This list is exclusively Alco FA-1s and FA-2s that were operated by the Long Island Railroad.

...

616 - Survives - FA1 - SPS 860A-1, SP&S 860, BN 4108 - Built February 1949 - Builder Number 76675 - In excursion service on the Quebec Central.

...


Good evening folks,

I just wanted to share an update regarding one item on Mr. Altizer's otherwise excellent list. Ex-LIRR 616 is no longer on the Quebec Central. It was sold over a decade ago to the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway in Passaic, NJ.

As of 2019, the cab unit was still located in Passaic at the site of the railroad's former trash transfer station. Given the current efforts to abandon and liquidate the railroad, I am unsure if this locomotive will live to see the end of the year or not. There has been no word regarding a last "hospital train" to remove the remaining rail equipment on site.

If anyone has any news they could share regarding the current status of Mr. Wilson's remaining equipment in Passaic, I would be curious to know what will become of all of it. Thanks in advance!

_________________
Eric S. Strohmeyer
CNJ Rail Corporation


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:08 pm 

Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:15 pm
Posts: 98
Location: eastern PA
Here’s 603 in 2016, restoration is happening slowly:
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4582935
615 was going to the Durbin & Greenbrier I believe.

_________________
"As veteran B&LE engineer 'Tex' McCann observed, if Pennsylvania had a drawbar on it, a Bessemer 400 (DRS6-6-1500) would surely try to 'shake and wiggle' it."


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:06 pm 

Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm
Posts: 6400
wm303 wrote:
A couple comments are in order.
.

The Long Island Rail Road converted two dozen cab units (mostly Alco) for use on push-pull passenger trains. These converted locomotives provided Head End Power for the passenger cars. These locomotives were not used to propel the train (the traction motors were removed), but the cab was used by the engineer when these units were on the leading end of trains; this elimated the need for cab-equipped passenger cars on these trains. A few of the Alco locomotives kept their 244 prime movers, but the rest had the Alco prime mover replaced by other non-railroad diesel engines.






602 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 309 - Built May 1956 - Builder Number 80903 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Owned by Engines Preservation, Inc. - Stored in New Jersey - To be restored to operating condition using parts from a VIA Alco B Unit



wm303 -

Update: From a short video clip on the Ahead of the Torch (AOTT) website today, this unit is shown in operation running back and forth in front of the shop.

Les


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: ALCO FA cabs in preservation. What is the current statu
PostPosted: Sun Oct 04, 2020 6:28 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
Les Beckman wrote:
wm303 wrote:
602 - Survives - FA2 - L&N 309 - Built May 1956 - Builder Number 80903 - Traded in to GE by L&N - Retired by LIRR with 244 prime mover intact - Owned by Engines Preservation, Inc. - Stored in New Jersey - To be restored to operating condition using parts from a VIA Alco B Unit



wm303 -

Update: From a short video clip on the Ahead of the Torch (AOTT) website today, this unit is shown in operation running back and forth in front of the shop.

Les

https://www.facebook.com/richard.jahn.9 ... 1490113989

My first thoughts: 1. they are exceeding yard speed, and; 2. I hope they are sure the engine brakes work on this long out of service unit or they will be going through the end of the engine house.


Offline
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 61 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


 Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Glenn Opande, QJdriver, traingeek8223, whodom and 130 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: