Trains magazine had a special issue devoted to locomotive. They listed the top ten preserved diesel locomotive that you must see. In that list was the Railroad Museum of New England's RS3 529. It was nice to see it make the list.

I'm trying to remember, but has 529 been put on its new wheels? I can't remember if they've been put on yet, or if it's just the matter of waiting for the crane to lift the engine...

Well, I guess I'm just a bit confused by this. What puts NYNH&H's #529 on the list over the other surviving RS-3's? Is it the New Haven paint scheme? Or is the RS-3 one of the ten diesel models that are a must-see, and the 529 was just picked as an example? Please clue me in if possible. Thanks.

Les

NH 529 will eventually have its traction motors and wheel sets changed out. Preparations have been made.

Perhaps it is because NH 529's home is on a line that it worked during much of its active revenue service career. Aside from places like EBT and the Colorado narrow gages, I can't think of too many preserved locomotives that operate on original home rails.

The wheel work mentioned above is scheduled to start soon, and plans are to have 529 back in service for the 2014 operating season. We will post photos, updates, etc. here as the project develops.

It was a nice surprise to see 529 on that Trains list; I think she deserves that honor (but I'm biased...). Thank you, Trains!

Howard P.

Was the 529 ever numbered 0529 on the NH?

No. The "0" prefix, used on New Haven locomotives other than steam, went away in 1949-1950. The Alco RS-3 locomotive deliveries started in mid-1950, with 517. NH 0500-0516 were RS-2s, delivered in late 1947-late 1948.

Many, but not all, electric locomotives carrying the "0" had it removed after 1952, but all the diesels so prefixed retained the "0" until their end as PC units.

Howard P.