New York Central F7A #1655 joins the fleet.

Greetings All,

The New York Central Train Layout Paint Shop has released NYC F7A #1655 for revenue service. This engine is an MRC Platinum unit that I purchased used last year. Originally in PC regalia the paint color and lettering font did not match the PC units I already had on hand. The engine featured a boiler exhaust and other passenger service protrusions from the rear top of  the engine. So the plan was to repaint the units into the NYC gray passenger car cigar band livery to team up with my other MRC Platinum engine, a gray lightning striped F7A #1650. This engine was also equipped for passenger service. Now a disclaimer. The NYC did not have F7A units in this scheme or in passenger service. So I briefly thought about repainting both units into PC units and declare them FP7As but after a few minutes of consideration there was just no way I was going to repaint the good looking NYC lightning stripe unit.

The MRC Platinum line features a heavy frame with a dual flywheel motor. Metal handrails, horns and grills. The windows are well done and the engine runs great. PC 1672 after purchase in November 2013

Close up of 1672 in December 2015. The shell is ready for paint removal. This was one of those projects I hemmed and hawed over before starting. I seem to excel in hemming and hawing by the way. The unit saw little use since being purchased as I did not like the paint job and the fact that it really did not go well with NYC F7A mentioned above. Still it was tough to actually strip the paint from it. The notes below are part of a few Paint Shop projects going on during this time.

The F7A is now NYC 1655. The gray was a little lighter than I would have liked but it will suffice.

Both MRC Platinum F7As get a workout performing freight duties. Both engines are stamped 1999 on the bottom of their respective fuel tanks making them about 15 years old. Both are like new at this point and I look forward to seeing them rack up the revenue miles. 

Working an Extra out of Terminal Yard the engines are enjoying their time out of the box

The obligatory pose on the Empire City viaduct.

Now this is what I envisioned! 

NYC F7A 1655 on the head end of a commuter train entering Empire City Station

NYC F7A 1650 is shoving on the rear. The train can then head right back out with having to be turned.

 NYC F7A 1655 with a Pacemaker Freight Service box car (track cleaner) added to the head end of the commuter train passes over the Empire City ship and sanitary canal. Looks like a policeman off to the left. 

Yup, plenty of police activity. Seem like another body has washed up on the rocks of the E.C. ship and sanitary canal. If you look closely you can see the yellow shirted body of reputed mob associate
 "Paulie the Painter".

A close up of the dearly departed. It was noted that a paint brush had been wired to his hand prior to or just after his demise. The deceased was last seen in a dispute with reputed mobsters in Kings Port NY. Sources close to the investigation revealed the dispute was over a painted sign. In this case spelling counts. 

Now back to the trains.
 The addition of 1655 has allowed me to pair it with the 1650 and opened up some nice commuter train options. These two four axle units are excellent runners and very nimble for the locomotive on each end operation. Riding and watching L.I.R.R. trains with a diesel engine on one end and a power pack FA on the other was a look I always liked.

NYC 1655 looking right at home on one end of this four car commuter train.