Locomotive Spotlight #2 / Lehigh Valley Alco PAs 609 and 611

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #2 of 2022.

Today's subject of the Locomotive Spotlight series will be Lehigh Valley PA1s #609 and #611

Prototype Information

The prototype fifteen Lehigh Valley PA locomotives (601-614) were delivered from Alco in 1948 with a Cornell red and black stripe paint scheme. The units did not have dynamic brakes and the LV did not order any PB units.

Primarily a passenger train locomotive the PAs could often be found paired back to back hauling Lehigh Valley varnish like "The John Wilkes",  "The Maple Leaf" and "The Black Diamond".

When not in passenger service the LV PA1s could be found in freight service as seen in this 1951 photo. In the first quarter 2022  Trains of the Past magazine in the working with Alco's article by Mike Bednar there are two photos of the LV PAs working freight trains from 1963 and 1956. In the 19656 photo a single PA is on a local in between passenger runs.

The Models

Both models are Life Like Proto 2000 products that were purchased as new in the box old store stock in late 2021. The models look like their 1:1 counterparts and the paint and lettering is crisp and clean. 

As posted in the Locomotive Shop Bulletin both engines required lubrication before being put into service on the layout. The engines come with the old Proto knuckle couplers that I swapped out for Kadee #5s on  the rear and Kadee #26 long center set shank couplers on the front. 

The Proto 2000 LV PA1 #611 arrived in early December 2021.

The model was set up for revenue service on the layout and then stored awaiting the arrival of sister unit, LV #609.

Santa delivered the 609 for Christmas and it poses here at Terminal Yard. The P-2000 PA1 models are nicely detailed and run extremely well.

The units are coupled together and with each featuring all wheel drive, can motors with large flywheels and a good amount of weight this pair should be able to handle any assignment they are given. 

The PA1s were purchased for passenger service and will be featured in that role with an upgraded IHC John Wilkes passenger train.

When the Lehigh Valley ceased intercity passenger service in 1961 the big Alcos could be found in freight service.

The 609 and 611 would spend their final years hauling Lehigh Valley freight tonnage until their retirement in 1965.

The Lehigh Valley PAs haul a freight train past RA Tower.

Coming soon the LV PAs will be featured in passenger service with the upgraded IHC LV passenger cars.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!