Locomotive Spotlight #1-2023 / Long Island Alco C420s #225 & 229

 Greetings All,

Welcome to Locomotive Spotlight #1-2023!!!

Long Island RR Alco C420s #225 and #229 get the honor of leading off the 2023 Spotlight series. Today we'll take a look at the prototype and the Atlas HO scale models.

What is an Alco Century? 

The Alco Century line debuted in 1963 with the Century 424 or C424, a 2,400 HP four motor road switcher that for the most part met the company's second generation aspirations. Although the horsepower race was on between the locomotive builders Alco also chose to offer a lower horsepower unit, the C420.

The 2,000 HP C-420 was an evolution of the Alco RS32 series and used the same twelve cylinder model 251C prime mover. Century series features incorporated into the new units included radiators mounted horizontally, central air intake with inertial filters and a pointed cab front. 

Although the other Century series locomotives featured short stubby noses the C420 had a longer nose that when ordered with a high hood could accommodate a steam generator for passenger car heating. This feature made it perfect for the Long Island Railroad.

The first C420 was delivered in June of 1963 and by the time the final unit rolled out of the Schenectady, NY plant in August, 1968 129 units had been built for US service plus two for Mexico.

The Prototype

From December 1963 thru July 1964 the Long Island Railroad, a money losing subsidiary of the Pennsylvania RR leased twenty two C420s (#200-#221) from Alco to fulfill their motive power needs. The high hood LIRR C420s came equipped with steam generators (as noted above), mu capabilities and were delivered in the LIRR orange & gray "Worlds Fair" scheme.

In 1968 the LIRR, now owned by the New York State Metropolitan Transportation Authority returned to Alco and purchased eight more C420s (#222-#229) that were delivered in the MTA blue and yellow paint scheme.

The Alco C420s were workhorses for the LIRR but not popular with engine crews for their rough riding and smoke filled cabs. The LIRR added smoke deflectors to the first units received and Alco added them to the rest of the units which helped but didn't eliminate the problem.

The original batch of leased C420s had a gear ratio of 64:19 and were classified as L1s by the MTA. The 222-229 units had a gear ratio of 79:24 and were classified as L2s. The reason for this was that the MTA was hoping to get freight contracts to be handled exclusively by the second group of C420s. This however never materialized and the units saw dual service throughout their careers on Long Island. 

The LIRR Alco C420 L1s move on

In 1976 as the leases were expiring on the original C420s, (#200-#221) the MTA returned them to their leaseholder, Railway Traction Company, storing them at the D&H Colonie, NY Shop. The D&H short on power after gaining increased trackage rights from the formation of Conrail leased several of these units for their own use. 

The LIRR Alco C420 L2s soldier on

The L2 batch of Alco C420s soldiered on well into the 1980s. Many of the C420s would wear the MTA blue, the blue and white wave scheme and some the attractive bicentennial red, white and blue wave scheme.

In September of 1989 the LIRR Morris Park Shops spiffed up #225 and #229 for a passenger fan trip. This looks to have been their last hoorah in passenger service. After that they could be found in work train service.

End of the line

It is reported that the L2s were sold in their entirety to Naparano Steel, an infamous scrapper of locomotives in NJ, and were then sold to a foreign country. Whether that deal went thru and what eventually happed to the L2s remains a mystery.

The Models

The LIRR Alco C420s #225 and #229 are both Silver series Atlas Master Locomotives that are DCC ready. 

The models come well protected in these plastic cases.

Releasing the models from the plastic cars involves removing these two screws that hold the engine securely in place. Note the two piece Accumate couplers from other Atlas products have been removed in favor of Kadee couplers. Both C420s received Kadee #5s.

The foam pieces will hold the model in place when the screws are removed. Separate cab sunshades are included for the modeler to install. 

The LIRR C420s get the once over by the NYCTL trainmen. Note the smoke deflectors on the long hood and that the sunshades have been installed.

The 222-229 L2s were delivered with a 1,000 gallon fuel tank and 1,900 gallon water tank for the steam generator. The units also featured plows on each end which are included on the model.

LIRR caboose C-91 looks good with the new C420s. I painted the C-91 in November 2017 and lettered it with decals made by our late friend Engineer Ed. Thanks again Ed!!!

Uh oh!! First testing shows we'll need additional clearance on track #3 at Empire City Station. Some razor work took care of this minor issue.

After testing it was time to "officially" deliver the LIRR C420s

Train VN-4 has brought the C420s to Terminal Yard.

The LIRR C420s draw a crowd at the engine terminal. Looks like the KPRS guys got their VW out of the impound lot!

The guys get a close up of the new units. 

Naturally Alco Joe gets the call for Train EC-1 to deliver the C420s to North Side Yard for the LIRR to take possession.

Train EC-1 heads for North Side Yard.

The C420s are delivered and EC-1 engineer Alco Joe says hello to the Empire Belt trainmen.

Later that day LIRR Train MA-3 arrives at North Side Yard.

LIRR engineer Jimmy Alco checks in with the EBRR guys and takes possession of the new C420s.

Next stop Fresh Pond Yard. The C420s are now "officially" delivered!

Additional Reading, Resources and Links

LIRR Alco C420s. A plethora of great information on the locomotives.

LI 225 thru the years on Long Island

LI 229 thru the years on Long Island

Links for photos of nine ex LI C420s leased to the D&H.

Photos of new and used Alco C420s working for various railroads.

Railroad Model Craftsman January 2008 edition has prototype and Atlas C420 model information.

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!