Penn Central, ex New Haven RR Alco FA-FB-FB-FA Project Completed (Finally!)

 Greetings All,

Penn Central / Ex New Haven Alco FA-FB-FB-FA Project 

is Finally Completed

A project that I started three years ago to add a Penn Central, ex New Haven, Alco FA-FB-FB-FA locomotive consist to my fleet has finally been completed. The project was started back in August, 2021 and was reported in three parts starting here. 

This Walthers Alco FB1 undecorated shell has been sitting in the box waiting for a power chassis and a trip to the Patti O Paint Shop for a few years now to complete the PC, ex NH, Alco FA-FB-FB-FA project. Almost three years later I finally pulled a power chassis from another Walthers FB locomotive for use under this shell and moved this stalled project forward.

Ex New Haven FB1 0462, now Penn Central 3392 is just out of the paint shop. In 1970 new PC President Moore ordered all predecessor heralds removed to achieve unity and common goals. If you look closely you'll see the patch out paint of the NH herald.

Prototype Info

From the Penn Central RR Historical Society

Volume 22, Number 1 Article by Robert Holzweiss

Penn Central Alco FB1 #3392, formerly New Haven 0462, was conveyed to the PC upon the inclusion of the New Haven RR on January 01, 1969. NH 0462 was built in October 1947 and received its PC numbers on July 10, 1969. The 3392 was set aside on December 14, 1970, and retired on April 26, 1971.

The PC 3392, ex NH 0462, was rebuilt by Alco in 1959 and returned to the New Haven during 1960 with a 1600 HP Alco model 251 prime mover and painted in the simplified Socony red scheme. The rebuilt units could now M.U. with the NH RS3s and their 1956 era road switchers but not the un-rebuilt Alco FAs, FL9s, or the U25Bs and C425s purchased in the mid 1960s.

Disposition

The PC 3392 was sold to GE on sales order 9-00-5361 dated October 22, 1969 as trade in credit for U33Bs 2956-2970. The 3392 was later cannibalized by GE and scrapped.

A Rare Consist 

The only 1:1 prototypically pure Alco FA-FB-FB-FA lash up in the late 1960s and very early 1970 belonged to the Penn Central and drew railfans from all over to their stomping grounds in the Boston, Mass area. 

The FA-FB-FB-FA  consist normally assigned to power trains BL-1 / LB-2 between Boston and Lowell Mass has come down to Terminal Yard with a train from Oak Point. The Alcos await clearance for their train to depart for Cedar Hill Yard and eventual return to Boston.

Something didn't look right with the 3392 in the above photo so a trip back to the paint shop corrected that with the painting of the ladders. Much better!

Railfan scanners have picked up news that today's HN-2 is being powered by the ex NH Alcos. Railroaders and railfans alike gather to catch the ex NH Alco A-B-B-A set coming down from Oak Island towards Terminal Yard. 

The railfans include the Kings Port Railway Society who have arrived in their well known VW caboose.

The four locomotive set provides plenty of power to get up the slide.

The Alco A-B-B-A set is easily photographed from the public street thanks to engine hostler Wet Willie placing the engines close to the road and moving the power set from track one. Alright Willie!!!

But Wait There's More!!

As luck would have it right after I put the 3392 into service with the borrowed FB powered chassis I came across an FB1 for a very, very reasonable price along with two other undecorated locomotives for future projects.

Looks new to me!!!

Now both FB1s are happy and powered.

The gang is back together!!!

On another day Alco Joe gets called for Train EC-1 the daily freight transfer from Terminal Yard to North Side Yard and Wet Willie has come thru by having the ALCOs power the train as the engines layover before leaving.

Alco Joe checks in with the EBRR trainmen as Train EC-2 gets ready to depart North Side Yard caboose light.

In case you forgot the Empire Belt RR also has an Alco FA-FB-FB-FA power set that has been pulled from storage for use today which is a real treat for railfans like the KPRS guys.

Th FA-FB-FB-FAs in action

Final Thoughts and Comments

The Walthers FA-FB models over the years have had their issues with zinc rot or zinc pest and care should be taken when purchasing any of these models. The key spotting feature is a bulging shell which means the power chassis is doomed.

On the plus side these models have been in the market for over 20 years now so if you find one in nice shape chances are good that it will not have zinc rot issues.

The Walthers and Frateschi models used for this project are rugged with few if any details to break off. They are good running locomotives and their weight makes them good haulers. The two Walthers and two Frateschi Alcos that make up the A-B-B-A consist M.U. together very well and draw very little amperage. 

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!