I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Howard and the folks at RMNE for the considerable effort they have invested in preserving and maintaining this fabulous locomotive. This is the RS3 featured recently on the RYPN photo link to Howard's article about the new RMNE shop building. Not only is 529 a lone survivor of its type from the original owner's fleet, operating on its home rails almost six decades after it was built, but it is also a beautifully restored example of the work of the American Locomotive Company. I would like to encourage everyone reading this forum to visit RMNE to see this locomotive and the many other projects they have underway. Take the "engineer for an hour" session if you can, and be sure to talk with Howard about the fascinating history of this engine and the museum.

Preston Cook

Preston, thank you for your kind words. And coming from an EMD man!
I had the pleasure of running the NH 529 on the regular service trains last Saturday. It's the ideal locomotive for our type of service on the Naugy.
The 529 began its role to being a celebrity when it was one of about 5 former New Haven RS3s selected from the Penn Central roster when Amtrak began its own operation of the Northeast Corridor. The locomotive was renummbered 1338 and soon after 138, spending most if not all of its Amtrak era on home rails of the former New Haven Railroad. The 138 ended its Amtrak years assigned to New Haven, where RMNE member and Amtrak shopman, the late Jim Seibert, kept his eye on it and sister 144, the former New Haven 554. Looking to the future, I remember asking the engineer who was assigned to the work train the 138 was on to "take good care of her, our group wants to give her a good retirement home some day."
When Amtrak acquired ex ATSF CF7s, the RS3s were put up for sale by sealed bid, and we selected the 138 as the better of the two per the maintenance records and Jim's advice. Howard Pincus led the acquisition effort, and soon members dug deep into their pockets to come up with the RMNE offer amount. We were the successful bidder on 138, as it turned out we probably could have purchased the 144 for a song - instead it went to the Lamoille Valley railroad in Vermont and its eventual end.
In September 1985, the 138 was delivered to the RMNE, when we were based at the Valley Railroad, and there the locomotive reverted to its NH 529 identity and participated in a couple of railfan days and occasionally covered the Valley Railroad regular service schedule.
When we started up the Naugy, the NH 529 hauled our first equipment onto our "own" railroad, and has lived happily there for the past 10 years, enjoying the best care it has had in its 57 year existance. And a plaque honoring Jim Seibert for his efforts over almost a quarter century ago graces an interior cab wall.
Bill Sample

Bill,
You have mentioned the Valley Railroad in Essex, CT. One of the times I was there, the collection of the RRMNE was all over the place.

Is there still any of your equipment down there?

Ted Miles

Bill -

One question. Is the New Haven 529 paint scheme the RS3 now wears, its original as-delivered ALCO scheme? Or one of the later NH schemes?

Thanks!

Les

The scheme applied to the 529 dates from the 1959 Alco factory rebuild-otherwise known as the 'Trustees Scheme.'

This choice of livery is consistent with external changes dating from 1959 such as the watercooled turbo and the addition of mu control lines on the pilot plate for the 26 brake equipment (replaced number 6).

Dave-not Bill

The RMNE is in the process of transferring our remaining equipment from the Valley to the Naugatuck as we construct yard facilities to accommodate oour collection. Steam locomotives CPR 1246 and VRR 103 remain on display at Essex, the remainder of our equipment is not publicly accessible.

This week, 529 served as the power for a revenue freight move. Does anyone know of any other preserved locomotives of similar vintage that have done the same on home rails ?

Dave

The Delaware Lackawanna's two ex-D&H RS3 locomotives regularly serve customers on the ex-D&H Carbondale line.

I think they may have dynamic brakes too.

The WM BL-2 on the West Virginia Central still hauls freight on old WM lines as well as the B&O branch to Bellington WM operated on trackage rights.

Here on the Aberdeen and Rockfish our GP-7 from 1951 is still operating in freight service on her home road. The 205 has never operated for another owner and is complete with the steam generator in the short hood. We converted 205 to 26 brakes a few years ago but other than that it is in as delivered form, including the paint scheme. How many other locomotives 50 years old can say that?

John Bohon

Hey John, how about a picture?

Les

Sorry Les but I am not much of a photographer these days. I have never taken many pictures of diesels and have never taken one of the 205. If you check the railroad website at www.aberdeen-rockfish.com and go to the photo gallary you will find an older B&W of 205. Look at any of the color photos of A&R power and you will get the idea. She looks the same today.

John Bohon

Thanks John. I found another website that had a color photo of #205. I always like to see that high short hooded first generation Geeps, like your 205, are still around. Wish we had an example at our museum!

In the website you referenced is a photo of A&R steamer #981. Neat locomotive, obviously purchased used. Can you give me any information on her? Also in that same photo is what appears to be a neat little coal dock in the background. I assume that it has been torn down, right?

Les

The 981 was purchased from Seaboard Air Line in January of 1941. It was renumbered to A&R 45 in Febuary 1941. According to local legend 981 was the local yard engine in Aberdeen and also used as a helper on Pinehurst Hill. Also according to legend the A&R borrowed the 981 so much the Seaboard finally sold it to them, the price was $500.00. A&R always had an incredably benificial relationship with the SAL so I suspect the legend may be true. By 1947 2 new F-3's put all steam out to pasture except for the 40 and use of SAL engines on troop trains. In June 1947 the 45 was sold to the Atlantic and Western in Sanford, NC and became their 11. I think this may be the engine that still exists in some sort of Christian resort or something similar up near the Virginia border but I am not sure. I hope to someday go see that engine.

Suprisingly the pit for the coal dock still exists and even has the disconnected track on top. However, the mechanism you see in the background is long gone. When I first came to A&R two tank cars, one on trucks and one not, were still on the track over the pit serving as diesel fuel cars that gravity fed the locomotives. That too is history, thankfully.

Much of the steam era A&R shop still exists including the roundhouse, machine shop with overhead belt drive which probably still works, sandhouse, blacksmith shop used as recently as this week, and the water tank. We also have a large planer and the engine lathe that was large enough to turn driver tires on the small locomotives. The shop would make an interesting little museum if it were not still working.

John Bohon