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ALCo & GE deliveries of new locomotives

C CentralFan1976OGR Forum Member
So I would imagine that ALCo, manufacturer of some fantastic steam and diesel locomotives and located on the NYC, would deliver new locomotives by rail. I've seen builder's photos of new locomotives in front of the Schenectady plant, but how did they get delivered to their respective customers? Did they run the Big Boys down the Water Level Route?

I would imagine that there would have to be some foreign power showing up in consists on their way to Chicago and points west for delivery to Santa Fe (Like PAs and RSD Alligators), or UP Turbines out of Erie, or Milwaukee Erie-builts...

I figure some neat non-NYC locomotives leading some trains through my layout might be plausible...

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mario
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RT Rusty TraqueOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by CentralFan1976:
So I would imagine that ALCo, manufacturer of some fantastic steam and diesel locomotives and located on the NYC, would deliver new locomotives by rail. I've seen builder's photos of new locomotives in front of the Schenectady plant, but how did they get delivered to their respective customers? Did they run the Big Boys down the Water Level Route?

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mario


They were freight, hauled dead-in-train.

Rusty
Number 90Number 90OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
quote:
Originally posted by Forrest Jerome:
none of these appear to be "in train."
Not sure what you mean, Forrest. The 4165 and 4166 are coupled to wooden boxcars, front and rear. The 4174 is not coupled to other equipment, but without main or eccentric rods, all 3 engines will have to be moved DIT.

I would imagine that the DIT movement would avoid regular trains, and instead would consist of several dead engines with some empty cars for braking power. Frequent inspection stops were a certainty, so regular service for steam engine delivery was probably not used. And you can bet that there are one or two SP riders on each engine.

Diesels were a different story, and probably could move dead in regular freight service.
Kent LoudonKent LoudonOGR Forum Member
Without connecting rods, there would be a serious speed restriction. and without steam pressure, everything that moved had to be lubricated frequently by hand!

I have a negative of a Santa Fe 4-8-4 en route from Baldwin, aboard a B&O barge. The largest 4-8-4's ever built wouldn't fit through the Baltimore tunnels and had to be barged across Baltimore Harbor.
RT Rusty TraqueOGR Forum Member
quote:
Originally posted by Kent Loudon:
Without connecting rods, there would be a serious speed restriction. and without steam pressure, everything that moved had to be lubricated frequently by hand!



Well, not quite. There was a photo in Classic Trains, I think it was the Cab Forward issue, showing an AC-9 (the cab-backward!) in transit. Mounted on the front deck was a drum full of lubricant, with temporary lines going to strategic points. The main rods would still have to be greased periodically.

However, I'm sure there were still speed restrictions because without the main rods attached, the drivers are out of balance.

Rusty

Rusty
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