Locomotive Spotlight #8-2022 / Penn Central / Amtrak E8A #4316

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #8-2022 Penn Central / Amtrak E8A #4316

Welcome to another installment of the locomotive spotlight series.

Today we'll take a look at EMD E8A #4316, the first locomotive panted for Amtrak by the Penn Central.

Prototype Information

On May 1st, 1971 the National Rail Passenger Corporation public relations department thought it would be a good idea to have an "Amtrak" locomotive ready for its inaugural day. Penn Central #4316, ex PRR #5716 was given the honors.

Technically a Penn Central locomotive the 4316 would be leased and later sold outright to Amtrak. The engine would later be repainted in the Amtrak Platinum Mist & Bloody Nose Red color scheme, be renumbered Amtrak #322 and in 1977 become Amtrak #461.

This would be a one off paint scheme for half a century when fifty years later the paint scheme was resurrected on Amtrak ALC-42 #301.

Photo Amtrak.com

Model Information

The HO scale Amtrak E8A #4316 is a Rapido model that features DC / DCC control and sound that I pre ordered thru Train World.

Rapido went all out with Amtrak to produce this 50th Anniversary  museum quality locomotive. This is the second run of the 4316 as the first run was limited in number and sold out very quickly.

The model comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Jason Shron of Rapido and Matt Donnelly of Amtrak along with an operating manual, parts diagram and assorted pins and stickers.

The 4316 is carefully packed and Rapido did a nice job with the collector's box the model comes in.

The model is out of the box!! This locomotive represents the first pre ordered locomotive I've purchased.

It's May1971 and the 4316 now in service has arrived at Empire City Station. NYCTL Trainmen and local railfans have gathered to check out the one of a kind unit and are hopeful the newly formed Amtrak will keep the intercity trains running.

Coincidentally E8A #4316 shares the platform with a passenger train led by E8A #4317 which is a Proto 2000 model that I painted in July 2013. Perhaps the 4317 is a bit envious thinking why didn't they choose me? Amtrak did later choose the 4317 and it became #323.

The 4316 hauls its first passenger train out of Empire City Station

Final Comments

The Rapido model of E8A #4316 is a beautiful locomotive that performed very well right out of the box. The model has all of the DCC bells and whistles and a detailed manual on how to turn them on or off and adjust them.

For my DC layout the instructions were very simple, put it on the track, turn on the power and run it forwards and backwards to break it in. Simple enough! I liked that although in DC the model runs with factory set sound only and I don't know of a way to adjust it. Oh well.

Photographic information on the Amtrak #4316 varies with different photographers reporting conflicting photography dates of the 4316 in the Day One Livery as it has been named. Some report the unit repainted in 1971 while other have it in the Day One Livery into  1972. This Rail Picture Archives page is a classic example. Other print media have the 4316 in Day One Livery in February 1972.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!