Last (?) LNE diesel in the US for sale

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

The last known Lehigh & New England diesel is apparently for sale. See below from the anthraciterr Yahoo list.

Rob

Quote:

The last of the Lehigh and New England Alco S2 switchers is now on the block at the Emporia Grain Elevator at Emporia Indiana. You can contact them directly or contact me.

They have replaced it. It is listed as operational with a weak generator.

Several years back I was contacted by Christopher Kimler of Railfan about the loco. At the time it was in use and they refused to get rid of it.

R. Hensley
rhensley6 at gmail.com

Mike LaBouliere · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:16 am

Anything new on this old girl?

eldiner · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:39 am **Posts:** 534

A group has come forward to acquire the locomotive and bring it back to NE PA. The final details with the (future) host railroad are being worked out. Once the deal is done there will be a public request for donations, primarily to return the S2 to it's L&NE appearance.

Mike LaBouliere · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:38 pm

Thanks for the update, thats good to here it will be making its way east. Keep us informed.

toober · **Joined:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:42 pm **Posts:** 124

Is there anything really special about this S2? It seems to me that there are plenty of S2s kicking around in museums already.

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Will

eldiner · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:39 am **Posts:** 534

This is likely the only L&NE diesel still in existence. Without giving too many details, it will be going somewhere that has a lot of historic diesels and will see occasional use - a working retirement if you will. I think this is a practical way to represent the most forgotten of the anthracite carriers, in the anthracite region. (Well the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern is probably the most forgotten, but has no known surviving equipment of any kind).

toober · **Joined:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:42 pm **Posts:** 124

I would love to see this saved and preserved, but it is just another mouth to feed, and the shelves of the railroad preservation pantry are getting pretty depleted.

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Will

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:29 pm

eldiner wrote:

This is likely the only L&NE diesel still in existence. Without giving too many details, it will be going somewhere that has a lot of historic diesels and will see occasional use - a working retirement if you will. I think this is a practical way to represent the most forgotten of the anthracite carriers, in the anthracite region. (Well the Wilkes-Barre & Eastern is probably the most forgotten, but has no known surviving equipment of any kind).

How about the West Pittston & Exeter? Their last loco, also an S2, bit the dust at Pennsylvania Power & Light's Shamokin Dam, Pa. plant in 1989-90..........

Without getting into the details again, though I think I can read between the lines of Brother Stuy's post, if someone wants to preserve her with private money and even use her occasionally, what's the harm? Maybe, finally, the Anthracite RHS will eventually end up with something to use and not just allow to rust......

Mike LaBouliere · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:49 pm

I too have an idea of where it'll be going but don't wanna jinx it. Can't wait for good news.

mikefrommontana · **Posted:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:05 pm

I think this was beaten to death in a previous thread questioning why the hulks of two Milwaukee Road observation cars were preserved at all.

The simple answer is because the people funding the work want to. If this engine wasn't there, they would just as likely spend their money on dinner out, or a HO model of the same engine and there would be nothing additional left on the shelves of preservation. Besides, there aren't that many Alco S series switchers running around anymore.

Just enjoy the fact that this engine will be around a little longer to provide historical color out there. If it really bugs you, perhaps somebody (you?) could develop a diesel locomotive maintenance endowment to provide funding and technical support to those groups or indivduals who keep this neat old (50 to 70 year old) power running.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT

toober wrote:

I would love to see this saved and preserved, but it is just another mouth to feed, and the shelves of the railroad preservation pantry are getting pretty depleted.

--
Will

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

I guess part of her "value" depends upon whether or not you subscribe to the theory that diesels are unique due to "life experience."

If you don't, then they are all the same and equal.

If you do, the you value you them for what they did. Given the dearth of anthracite road engines preserved, I'd rate 611 more worthy than a similar locomotive from a railroad well represented in preservation.

Rob

cjvrr · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:31 am

With the LNE being one of my favorite roads, I for one will be donating to this cause once the word goes out. I would much prefer to spend $100 saving the real thing than on a model collecting dust in the basement.......although I would probably buy the model too...

Another piece of preserved LNE motive power can be seen here.

http://www.vratrips.org/gallery/ex-LNESheffield40-B/slides/P9100004.html

Chris

eldiner · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:39 am **Posts:** 534

The Lehigh & New England was such a unique company. Since it was owned as the transportation leg of an anthracite company (Lehigh Coal & Navigation), had essentially no passenger service and simply decided its usefulness was over thus shut down and dismantled in 1961, it is very little known. While not as glamorous as the FA's most people associated with the L&NE, it certainly can be a useful operating display piece perhaps shuttling around a loaded coal hopper. Our partner will use it on occasion in revenue service - I think that is a good way to keep it in good condition short of having an indoor space to display it - that can always happen if it had a major mechanical problem. As long as you have people who know how to take care of an Alco.

This is not everyone's cup of tea. I spend enough time finding money to restore dining cars but I was in a position to help out on this one. If all the pieces fall in place it will just be a good way to get an L&NE diesel back to as close a place as it possible to where it once ran in a way that makes economic sense.

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:23 pm

This is wonderful news. I hope too to contribute once details are made public. Might I suggest someone getting in touch with Atlas Model Trains of NJ to perhaps to produce a special limited model whose funds could be used to aid this project?

Hopefully we can also save the DL&W GP7 when her time comes.

Joshua

toober · **Joined:** Mon Oct 06, 2008 6:42 pm **Posts:** 124

robertjohndavis wrote:

I guess part of her "value" depends upon whether or not you subscribe to the theory that diesels are unique due to "life experience."

I assign a high value to "life experience" and provenance, but I also tend to be pragmatic about what should be saved. The problem is that in the railroad preservation community, just about every locomotive is viewed as having some great "life experience", and should be saved. And many do, and then we all know what the problems are there.

Hey, if mumblefoo railroad museum wants to save this S2, great, but can it pay for its future? Will it leech money from other saved locomotives? Did someone say the dirty word "endowment"?

I guess I am not saying anything new here, so I probably should just shut up.

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Will