JCL Alco RS-3 1554

m3ohwell · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:32 pm

January 25Th. 1554 sits outside the South Scranton shop idling waiting for assignment.
Ed K. cp Laurel Run

Newriver400 · **Posted:** Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:45 pm

Don C. has breathed new life into yet another Alco - can't wait to see a shiny coat of paint. I don't remember - Dave Crosby remind us - what the final appearance is supposed to be. CNJ or D&H inspired?

KevinO · **Joined:** Thu Oct 21, 2004 2:59 pm **Posts:** 114

She is supposed to remain in her CNJ colors. It will be nice to see a fully restored CNJ alco roaming the rails. Anyone else thinking what a great passenger photo charter you could have with some of Steamtown's coaches?

Kevin O

m3ohwell · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:25 am

When time, and weather allows, she will once again look like this, and remain on the DL.
Ed K. cp Laurel Run

MEC_557 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:53 pm

I'm thrilled to see another RS back in the living! It will be one sharp unit when repainted.

sixaxlealco · **Posted:** Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:37 pm

It will be repainted CNJ green with yellow striping. Although I'd be interested in knowing if the engine ever made it into the Red Baron scheme or transitioned into Conrail in B&O blue.

Michael Thomas

CPR4000 · **Joined:** Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:07 pm **Posts:** 150

I've seen a photo of it in solid CNJ green, and it was first painted green and later, red and white when it was on the Black River & Western. 1554 was off the roster before Conrail.

Walt Lankenau

M.J. Kershner · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2011 12:16 am

It went from factory green with the yellow toothpaste stripes, to solid green. Not sure if it was red when it went to the BR&W, but it was their bicentennial engine of sorts, with a quasi-red baron scheme, having a blue stripe substituted for one of the white ones. Later it was in Black River green, and that is how it made it to Jim Thorpe in the 80's for it's Hawk Mtn restoration..

-Micah

derail · **Joined:** Wed Jul 28, 2010 12:45 pm **Posts:** 142

When the Black River & Western Railroad acquired the former CNJ trackage this locomotive was also included into the deal, I also recall reading or hearing that she received the red paint scheme after she was sold the BRW as part of an agreement with the CNJ.

sixaxlealco · **Posted:** Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:26 pm

Thanks for all of the information. I had no idea the locomotive was sold to the BR&W pre-Conrail.

Michael Thomas

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

I was just 7 years old when CNJ #1554 first went to the BR&W, but I remember some ruckus about her being leased from the CNJ, and that road not being too happy when she was repainted by the BR&W. I'd love to hear the story from some of the RYPNers who undoubtedly know the whole story, and may shed light on when she went from a leaser to a sale.

Rob