Locomotive Spotlight #1 New York Central Alco FAs & FBs

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #1-2022

   New York Central Alco FA-FBs

Welcome to the first Locomotive Spotlight blog installment. The scope of this series will be to learn a little about the prototype and the corresponding HO scale models on the New York Central Layout. 

In this first installment we'll take a look at the prototype Alco FA and FB Locomotives of the New York Central and the models currently in service on the layout.

The Prototype:

In January 1946 Alco introduced its 1,500 HP car body styled FA1 (cab) and FB1 (booster) locomotives. The units featured the V-12 turbocharged four stroke diesel prime mover 244 engine. 

The New York Central signed up for forty four FAs (1000-1043) and 23 boosters (3300-3322) giving them the second largest fleet of this model. GM&O took the title with a total of eighty eight FA1 and FB1s.

In 1950 Alco introduced the 1,600 HP FA2/FB2 model that featured a longer chassis to accommodate an optional steam boiler. The NYC signed on for 80 FA2s (1044-1123) and 50 FB2s (3323-3372) without steam boilers. 

This gave the New York Central the highest number of Alco F series units giving them a total of 124 FAs and 83 FBs or 15% of the total production of FA and FB units built.

The Alco FA1 and FA2 series locomotives could be found on NYC symbol freights in pairs and in multiple unit lash ups with each other or other first generation Alco products as their brake system was not compatible with EMD units.

As the 1960s came to an end so did the reign of the  New York Central Alco F series locomotives. By the end of 1968 much of this massive fleet had been retired, traded in and/or scrapped.

The Models:

On the New York Central Layout roster there are Alco FA and FB models from both Life Like Proto 2000 and Walthers Trainline. Like their 1:1 counterparts with leaking oil and scored crankshafts both  manufacturers products were plagued with operating problems. 

The P-2000 models suffered from the well known cracked axle gears. The Walthers models are plagued with zinc rot or zinc pest as described here and here. I'm still fighting this more than twenty years later!

Four Walthers Trainline models make up this FA1-FB1-FB1-FA1 consist wearing the full length New York Central Lightning Stripes.

In this photo from Terminal Yard cigar band painted NYC FA1 #1020 idles next to similarly clad FA2 #1049. Both units are Proto-2000 models and all such models have had their axle gears replaced. The 1020 was part of an A-B-B-A paint project. The 1049 is factory painted.

NYC FA1-FB1-FA1 now wearing the cigar band synonymous with the Perlman era leave Terminal Yard with a freight train.

FB1 #2305 is paired with FA2 #1049 on another freight train out of Terminal Yard. Looking at the side vents you can see the difference between the FB1 and the FA2 that has been lengthened.

 

In their prime the New York Central Alco F series fleet powered the RR's hot shot symbol freights such as SV-2 and NY-4. On the NYCTL they continue to work in prime assignments. 

I'm imagining my freelance Empire Belt RR has purchased and refurbished an A-B-B-A set for transfer service. Here is an A-B-A set with a transfer run from North Side Yard to Terminal Yard. 

 

Final Comments:

 

The Alco F series locomotives were integral to the New York Central RRs post WWII dieselization and served the NYC well for over fifteen years.

The Alco models of the New York Central have served the layout pretty well for about the same amount of time. The Proto 2000 models have been very reliable after their re-gearing with Athearn gears. Thankfully this was a one time visit to the work bench.

Some of the Walthers units continue to show signs of zinc rot twenty years after their original purchase. This is what zinc rot or zinc pest looks like.

Attempts to grind down the frames to fit under their respective shells was a waste of time. There is no cure for this other than scrapping the chassis.

As of this writing two new Walthers FB units have been purchased via ebay for Lehigh Valley and Empire Belt empty shells. 

Shell swapping on these units is hindered by the difficulties in prying their shells off the power chassis. The shells lock onto the chassis with large tabs and it is a pain in the buttocks getting the shells off.

Although the models have had their share of operating issues I still enjoy having them on my roster and continue to do my best to keep them in service.

Enjoy the New York Central Alco F series and friends in action.

 

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!