Emergency to save last of the LIRR FA's in Southern New Jers

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

I informed a contact at Inland Northwest Railroad Museum in Spokane (who already have SP&S 860) about SP&S 857 and 858, he was unaware of them and said he would pass it on, but that they are limited in space. Edit: also FB-1 210.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 2842533046
"Friends of the SP&S
Oct.23
Help us Bring 3 Historic SP&S Alcos back to Washington state
We have been behind the scenes working to try and bring these Historic alcos back to Washington State where they will undergo a very extensive restoration
https://gofund.me/a58e6d510"

No clue who these guys are, or where they would store the units (a big issue, for reasons that are all too obvious right now) if they were able to move them over 3k miles.

Edit: comment on the facebook post: "Btw this is a kid who lives on the east coast. And the organization isn't legit." So hopefully a non-fraud is also pursuing them.

SMS9 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:43 pm **Posts:** 24

I hear 2 weeks before scrapping starts. What’s been done to save them?

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

SMS9 wrote:

I hear 2 weeks before scrapping starts. What’s been done to save them?

I haven't heard anything. I wouldn't be surprised if he were asking far more than salvage value (i.e., the price of scrap minus the price of cutting it up) now. https://twistedsifter.com/if-you-dont-b ... l-lampoon/

SMS9 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:43 pm **Posts:** 24

I have heard varying prices. I heard 3 of them could’ve went to a big museum in the mid west but nothing came of it. It’s been known for a couple years this was going to happen. Guess he chose to keep his hands warm.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sat Nov 08, 2025 1:10 pm

Before anyone rips into the owner of these FA1 units, remember the only reason any FA's exist at all is because this one man purchased those remain from the LIRR power car fleet. Even if the FA1 "kits" (two ex-SP&S FA1's in great shape + two donor locomotives + a PRR caboose) get passed over, it presently appears the two FA2's are safe.
The we have these to simply worry about should get expressed in gratitude.
If only getting them dragged to a safe siding occurs, that would be good. Money and commitment are the gap in preserving two of the rarest first generation Diesels in N. America. In my opinion, a match pair of FA1's operating back to back would be as attractive as a restored NYC Mohawk or NKP Mikado.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

I assume that this unit is the FA2 in this thread: https://railfan.com/adirondack-railroad-alco-fa2/

bigjim4life · **Posted:** Wed Nov 19, 2025 6:56 pm

PMC wrote:

I assume that this unit is the FA2 in this thread: https://railfan.com/adirondack-railroad-alco-fa2/

Nope, this is a different one than referenced in this thread. This one has been at the SMS shops getting restoration work done to it, while the one referenced in this thread has been stored on a siding elsewhere in NJ.

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Thu Nov 20, 2025 11:23 am

It appears the ex-LIRR 602, operating and completely restored, will go to Adirondack. It appears ex-LIRR 601 will be heading out west. There remains a Pennsy caboose in good condition, which must be trucked out and two former SP&S FA1's along with replacement part locomotives. One is former LIRR 614, in good condition but requiring rebuild (the parts are there) and former LIRR 611, which is likely to get sacrificed to the scrap gods unless somebody wants to do something meaningful and significant. I know nothing regarding the "B" units.

John D · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 2:28 pm **Posts:** 485

Anyone know the fate of the RS11s?

SMS9 · **Joined:** Fri Jul 31, 2020 2:43 pm **Posts:** 24

John D wrote:

Anyone know the fate of the RS11s?

Scrapper shows up next month from what i have heard. If you want em best move fast. I believe they were signed over to the sand company.

NJDixon · **Joined:** Mon Dec 06, 2021 4:36 pm **Posts:** 364

Adirondack Railroad has acquired the FB-1 and one of the FA-1s, the former SP&S 858. Both have been moved/will be moved to SMS for storage and the plan is to make the FB-1 into a generator car. No current plans for the FA-1, it was mostly just acquired to save it.

PMC · **Joined:** Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm **Posts:** 2876

NJDixon wrote:

Adirondack Railroad has acquired the FB-1 and one of the FA-1s, the former SP&S 858. Both have been moved/will be moved to SMS for storage and the plan is to make the FB-1 into a generator car. No current plans for the FA-1, it was mostly just acquired to save it.

Do you have any idea what happened to the other FA's? One FA2 was spoken for already, so minus the FA1 and FB1 you mention, that would leave one FA1 shell and one FA2 as "disposition unknown". See below for the OP:

Richard Glueck wrote:

Units available include an A-B-A set of FA-1s (shells only), two 'parts' RS-11s, two FPB-4 shells and a steel PRR caboose There may also be an FA-2, pre-lubed and barred over recently, with renewed low voltage wiring, 26 air, and new side panels and upper grills. The running FA-2, at another location, is very safe, and has been spoken for.

Edit: as per facebook, there apparently were three FAs moved on 03/19/2026, but I'm not sure which (unknown photographer).

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Sat Mar 21, 2026 12:34 pm

Former LIRR FA1 #611 is heading toward scrap, as are the rest of what is in the pictures. One FB1 and former LIRR 614 appear to be heading to storage on the SMS. FA2's 601 & 602 will survive.
I am not close into the goings on, but I am told the scrapper will discuss parting out and saving the 611 as well as the RS11's. Nice cab controls and FA1 nose for a museum or club!

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Tue Apr 14, 2026 8:45 am

As of April 14th, 2026, coincidentally the anniversary of Lincoln's murder, sinking of the "Titanic", and implosion of the "Thresher", the scrapping of the FPB4 and FA1 #611, the Erie Mining RS11's, is over and done. The Pennsy caboose remains alone, and will likely go today.
FA1 614, FA2's 601 and 602, and the FB1, were each saved. The FA1's, at least, on a temporary basis.