Another Locomotive Renumbering Project

 Greetings All,

Another Locomotive Renumbering Project

In 2012 I purchased and painted two Life-Like Proto 1000 HO Scale  Alco undecorated RS2 locomotives as Penn Central #9942 and #8369. Having no PC reference material on hand I freelanced the numbers mostly based on an Atlas HO scale NYC RS1 #9909. As time went on and prototype knowledge grew I learned these road numbers were totally wrong.

As a result the 8369 and 9942 started to languish in their respective boxes as the wrong numbers started to bother me. A familiar story with some of my earliest paint projects. With cracked gears that plagued these models both needed mechanical and cosmetic attention with one cancelling the other. Why fix the gears on engines with the wrong numbers? Why fix the numbers on engines that don't run?

A Brief History

The Alco RS-2 is a 1,500–1,600 horsepower B-B diesel-electric locomotive built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) from 1946 to 1950. Alco introduced the model after World War II as an improvement on the ALCO RS-1. Between 1946 and 1950, 377 examples of the RS-2 were built, primarily for American and Canadian customers. Alco discontinued the RS-2 in 1950 in favor of the very similar RS-3, which was more popular.

The New York Central purchased twenty three RS2s (8200-8222) which were later renumbered 5200-5222 for the pending merger with the Pennsylvania Railroad. NYC RS2 8229(2) took the place of an RS3 on the roster, maybe due to that RS3 being sent to the scrap line for some reason.

NYC RS2s including the #8213 and #8209 joined the NYC roster in 1950 making them 18 years old at the time of the merger. Neither the 8213 (5213) or the 8209 (5209) made it to the PC.

The Merger

On February 01, 1968 the Penn Central received the five remaining Alco RS2s from the New York Central. The five ex NYC RS2s were numbered 5207, 5210, 5212, 5215, 5229(2). These would be the only RS2s on the PC roster. Finding prototype photos other than that of the 5229 were problematic then and continue to this day.

Eleven years later in November 2023 (link below) I finally got around to renumbering the 8369 as PC 5229.

With the PC 5229 accurately lettered and numbered it has been enjoying much more layout time in local freight service. The 9941 however has been basically relegated to its box or off camera work.

After another recent unproductive search for photos of PC RS2s other than the 5229 I bit the bullet and decided to renumber the 9941 as PC 5210 in full PC regalia. If I should learn that the 5210 wore a minimal PC scheme I can easily black out the herald and Penn Central lettering if needed. 

Model Info

The 9942 makes its final appearance in this number as the time has  come for the renumbering. Penn Central 9942 was actually ex New Haven RR RS1 #0663

The small lettering below the road number reads West 72nd Street which is the former NYC freight yard in Manhattan that would be its imagined maintenance base for my layout. Doesn't matter now as it will be removed along with the road number.

 RS2 5229 awaits a properly numbered consist companion.

The 9942 numbers and West 72nd Street letters on the cab have been removed using Walthers Solvaset and an eraser. After cleaning the cab sides and short hood were rattle can painted with gloss black. The front and rear numbers were brush painted flat black.

Penn Central RS2 #5210 has been released from the Patti-O Paint Shop in full PC regalia with the PC herald on the short hood.

The two Alco RS2s are now ready for assignment.

The Need for Road Switchers

The Penn Central 5000 series was for the FL9s and low horsepower road switchers like the Alco RS series and the EMD GP7s. The 1,500 hp RS2s fit that bill perfectly on the layout as they can serve in a variety of assignments. They would be at home in low priority road freights, local trains, transfer runs, yard work, MOW trains and coal drags.

This photo from a PCRRHS calendar hangs in my train room to the right of Terminal Yard. Four road switchers are handling freight moves. Three are RS3s and the one at the bottom is a DeWitt Geep, an Alco RS unit repowered with an EMD prime mover mostly likely from a surplus E7. Note the RS3s have only a road number and PC herald at each end.

Running mostly local and transfer freights on the railroad there is a shortage of road switcher type locomotives to be able to handle this freight traffic. The 5229 and 5210 help fill the road switcher void in my train roster.

Four EMD GP7s can provide similar service and seen below. Only two of the four are powered however. But they still make for a good looking lash up!!!

This former Atlas Southern Pacific RR RS11 was painted into the Penn Central roster as their #7608 back in 2022. The 7608, ex NYC 8008, can usually be found protecting the Bedford Park Yard Job.

Atlas Classic Penn Central RS11s #7600 and #7604 are ex NYC #8000 and #8004 that joined the fleet in early 2025. Both are capable of hauling heavy transfers and get a lot of use.

The 5210 and 5229 consist brings a train from BN Yard in the Bronx towards Terminal Yard. With the expanded off layout running  between Terminal Yard and the Bronx the two RS2s have found their niche.

The 5210 and 5229 bring the transfer train into Terminal Yard completing the 5210s first revenue run with that road number.

1:87 scale Alco Joe checks out the 5210 as it gets serviced in the engine terminal. Note the NH RS2 in the background. The NH RS2s were retired prior to their inclusion in the Penn Central. Oh well...

RS2 #5210 makes its first revenue run with a prototype road number.

Final Thoughts and Comments

The Alco road switcher series (RS1, RS2, RS3) served the New York Central well until retirements and replacement with newer and admittedly more reliable locomotives. Rebuilding programs were put in place to give the old gals a new lease on life. Some were successful, some not so much.

My HO scale versions of the RS2s overcame their mechanical problems with new gears and all run well. The 5210 in consist with the 5229 handled a fifteen car freight train that included a track cleaning car and caboose from the lower level of the layout and into Terminal Yard with no issues. 

This same consist was also tested on the Coal Job. It got the job done but struggled with the long pull from Hudson Coal that included both empty and loaded hoppers totaling about 30-32 hoppers with two track cleaning hoppers plus caboose. This assignment may be best left to the Atlas RS11s which are heavier or similar style lash ups.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

Additional Information and Links

PC 5229 Blog Post.

HO Scale New York Central RS32 #8040 Renumbering to NYC #2040

 Greetings All,

HO Scale New York Central RS32 #8040 

Renumbering to NYC #2040

In December 2025 I added Atlas Trainman New York Central Alco RS32 to the motive power fleet as detailed in Locomotive Spotlight #1-2026 (link below). The model came in the as delivered paint scheme with road number 8040.

As I noted in the RS32 blogpost the 8040 may one day get renumbered to 2040 to reflect the NYC renumbering of their locomotive fleet circa 1966 to align with the PRR fleet for the pending merger. Well, that day has come.

Another catalysts for the renumbering was this NYC RS32 #8040, NYC RS1 #9909 and PC RS11 #7608 motive power consist. The all Alco consist are Atlas models that run very well together. The RS1 has been renumbered to PC compliant #9909 and the ex NYC RS11 #7608 (originally NYC #8008) has already been repainted in full Penn Central regalia.

My thinking here also is that the NYC RS32 would look better with the new 2040 numbers in the above consist and with the Atlas ex NYC RS32s #2033 and #2025 already in the fleet

The newly renumbered 2040 is on the headend of hotshot train NY-4, the meat products train from Chicago which was an all Alco stronghold for many years.

The 2040 leads the train past the Bedford Turn holding on the secondary track.

Newly renumbered RS32 #2040 leads Train NY-4, the meat products train from Chicago, to Terminal Yard.

As for the RS32-RS1-RS11 lash up keep an eye out for it in our upcoming NY-NJ Ops #2.

Final Thoughts and Comments

The renumbering was a success in that the locomotive now looks better to me with the rest of my second generation NYC motive power that had previously been renumbered over the years to reflect the  NYC-PRR renumbering and with the Penn Central locomotives that have gone thru the paint shop. 

Additional Information and Links

Locomotive Spotlight #1-2026.

Locomotive Spotlight #1-2024.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

New York-New Jersey Ops #1 / Part 6 / Conclusion of Virtual Operations

 Greetings All,

Welcome back to the NY-NJ Ops #1!!

The two layout virtual op with my layout interchanging freight traffic with Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad concludes today with freight traffic on the move to its intended consignees and /or interchanges.

The final movements begin at Terminal Yard with Big Mike running a hot Bedford Extra to the Key Food Warehouse. APRR RBLs 60382 and 60394 came in on a four car block with AP 60327 and 60358 loaded with paper products from Marcal in Rock Ridge, NJ. The 60382 and 60394 were held in the yard awaiting space at the Key Food siding.

The Bedford Extra departs Terminal Yard.

The Bedford Extra pulls a pair of empty EBRR boxcars from Key Food freeing up space for the APRR RBLs.

The EBRR boxcars are coupled onto the caboose.

The loaded APRR RBLs are shoved back into the siding to be unloaded.

With that done Big Mike is ready to head back to the yard.

The Bedford Extra heads back to Terminal Yard.

After running around the two EBRR boxcars and caboose Big Mike gets busy setting up Train EC-1 that will bring NY-NJ traffic including the newly emptied EBRR boxcars to the Empire Belt RR at North Side Yard saving some per diem costs for the PC.

After getting the yard in order Big Mike heads for beans and greets Alco Joe who has been called for Train EC-1, the above mentioned transfer run. Authors Note: NYC RS32 #8040 has made its last run with that road number. It has been sent to the Patti-O Paint Shop for the merger compliant renumbering that will have the number changed to #2040.

Alco Joe has coupled his RS11s to the freight consist and talks things over with Kar Knocker who will inspect the train as it departs.

Train EC-1 heads to North Side Yard.

Conductor Murray is a very happy conductor as he is enjoying the comforts of the EBRR pool cabooses and not suffering with the spartan PC transfer cabooses formerly used on these runs.

Conductor Murray signals Alco Joe to a safe coupling.

Alco Joe checks in with the EBRR trainmen.

Train EC-2 departs North Side Yard with non NY-NJ traffic for Terminal Yard with a special guest.

Meanwhile back at North Side Yard Sir Neal and conductor John get to work.

Sir Neal, always a gentleman, pulls the train so conductor John can easily board the caboose.

The Belt Job delivers NYC covered hopper 892010 loaded with flour from Cargill in Rock Ridge NJ to the Quaker Plant.

An empty APRR bulkhead gets pulled from Neal's Lumber & Hardware. 

Two EBRR boxcars loaded with bulk hardware from American Hardware Supply in Rock Ridge, NY are shoved into the Neal's Lumber & Hardware siding.

The Belt Job has returned to North Side Yard.

Conductor John heads into the office to prepare the paperwork for the coming LIRR freight transfer as Sir Neal opts for the lounge chairs.

Long Island RR Train MA-3 from Fresh Pond Junction heads towards North Side Yard.

Train MA-3 from Fresh Pond Junction heads to North Side Yard.

LIRR engineer Jimmy Alco checks in with Sir Neal and conductor John.

Train MA-4 heads to Fresh Pond Junction.

Next Stop Fresh Pond!!!

Put it in the books!!!

This concludes part six and the NY-NJ Ops on the NYCTL. Be sure to catch the rest of the NY-NJ action on Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific RR.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!

New York-New Jersey Ops #1 / Part 5 / Freight Continues Being Delivered

 Greetings All,

Welcome back to the NY-NJ Ops #1!!

The two layout virtual op with my layout interchanging freight traffic with Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific Railroad continues today with freight traffic on the move to its intended consignees and /or interchanges.

The action starts today in the Terminal Yard engine terminal with good old Alco Joe picking up the Alco power for the Bedford Turn, Trains BT27/BT28.

After coupling onto the BT-27 freight consist Alco Joe shoots the breeze with Kar Knocker and Big Mike as the Alcos pump up the air.

The Bedford Turn departs Terminal Yard for Bedford.

Alco Joe gets to work pulling freight cars from the Schaefer Brewery and Neubaum's Imported Coffee and Tea.

It's time to work the long siding that includes the Hostess Plant. 

Things are tight in Bedford as Alco Joe pulls freight cars from University Millwork and the Key Food Warehouse.

Two EBRR boxcars are shoved to the Key Food Warehouse siding.

A pair of APRR boxcars are also shoved to the Key Food siding. The four boxcars are loaded with paper products from Marcal in Rock Ridge, NJ.

The Hostess covered hopper loaded with flour from Cargill in Rock Ridge, NJ is spotted at the Hostess Plant.

Alco Joe is held on the Bedford Secondary to await clearance to make his runaround move.

After freight and passenger traffic on the mainline are in the clear a runaround move gets the Bedford Turn heading back to Terminal Yard.

Train BT-28 rolls into Terminal Yard.

Back the yard Penn Central Train DOJN will be making its virtual ops debut. The prototype Train DOJN originated in New York City's 72nd Street yard and worked industries along the Putnam Branch in the Bronx and northern suburbs. Today the DOJN will be heading to the A&P Warehouse in Elmsford, NY to deliver Lehigh Valley / NIRX 41000 loaded with paper products from Marcal in Rock Ridge, NJ

Train DOJN departs Terminal Yard.

We'll close it our here for today as LV / NIRX 41000 heads to the A&P Warehouse in Elmsford, NY loaded with paper products from Marcal in Rock Ridge, NJ.

We'll pick it up tomorrow in Terminal Yard with a transfer run to the Empire Belt RRs North Side Yard and close it out with the Long Island Railroad interchange. 

This concludes part five of the NY-NJ Ops on the NYCTL. Be sure to catch the rest of the NY-NJ action on Sir Neal's Atlantic Pacific RR.

Thanks for watching!!!

See you tomorrow!!!