Nostalgia & History > Long Island RR and used Alco FAs

Why did the LI end up with many of these for their push-pull trains? Were they preferred over other used cab units? Or were there other used cab units used in this service? How many did they eventually acquire? I understand that some of these car bodies have made their way to museums.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/18 18:52 by wabash2800.

I think at the time the FA's were acquired the LIRR was still all-Alco, with the bulk of the fleet C420's but still quite a few 244-engined RS3's in service, so the FA's 244 engines would be familiar to the shops. I'm also going to guess that 244-engined FA's would have been dirt cheap, with little trade-in value to their owners. Initially the FA power packs retained their 244's but as LIRR transitioned to EMD power many of them were repowered with Detroit Diesel engine/generator sets.

LIRR had 20 Alco power packs and when the supply of FA's was exhausted bought 5 EMD F units, of which I think 3 had Detroit Diesels and two were never modified or put into service.

http://www.trainsarefun.com/lirr/lirrFA/lirrFA.htm



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/18 19:07 by CPR_4000.

LIRR FA power packs. 6 from L&N numbered 601-606, all 4 of Western Maryland's numbered 607-610. 6 from SP&S numbered 611-616. 3 from PC numbered 600 (ex NYC) and 617-618 (ex New Haven). Remembered them well having a view of the Port Jefferson branch from my family room/den while growing up in Smithtown, NY. More info here https://www.thedieselshop.us/LIRR.HTML

Steve B.
Henderson, NV

Thanks for the replies.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstrwhilepublications.com