N&W expert needed

N&W never had or leased any freight F’s. Their first freight diesels were GP9’s. They did inherit some Alco RS3’s, and RS11’s from mergers. They did lease E units from RF&P, and ACL. They never purchased any. Their first passenger diesels were GP9 “Redbirds” painted Tuscan Red.

I believe before N&W received their "Red Bird" GP9's for passenger service they leased a few RF&P E8's. Of course when the GP9's arrived the E8's went back to the RF&P. Other than that there were no more passenger E's until the merger with the Wabash.

The Virginian electric operation only lasted a few years after the N&W merger. The Virginian EL-2b's had N&W road numbers added to the outside of the engines, but otherwise were not repainted before they were retired.

The EL-C's likewise had N&W road numbers added to the cabs. Only one EL-C was repainted to N&W because it was involved in a wreck. Otherwise no paint changes before the EL-C's were sold to the New Haven.

The Virginian FM Trainmasters and Baby Trainmasters were gradually painted N&W.

Ken

I am by know means an expert however, the Wabash had F’s, E’s along with Alco PA’s and I think they had a handful of Alco FA’s.  Will not swear on those FA’s.  How long the N&W kept them after the merger I do not know.

@Robert Davis posted:

N&W never had or leased any freight F’s. Their first freight diesels were GP9’s. They did inherit some Alco RS3’s, and RS11’s from mergers. They did lease E units from RF&P, and ACL. They never purchased any. Their first passenger diesels were GP9 “Redbirds” painted Tuscan Red.

Actually, N&W did purchase their own Alco RS-3, RS-11, and RS-36 diesels prior to the big mergers of the early 1960's.

Stuart

@SPIKE posted:

I am by know means an expert however, the Wabash had F’s, E’s along with Alco PA’s and I think they had a handful of Alco FA’s.  Will not swear on those FA’s.  How long the N&W kept them after the merger I do not know.

The Wabash E and F units lasted a while on the N&W after the merger. The FA and PA units I don't believe ever received N&W numbers, let alone repainted.

Stuart

@Robert Davis posted:

N&W never had or leased any freight F’s. Their first freight diesels were GP9’s. They did inherit some Alco RS3’s, and RS11’s from mergers. They did lease E units from RF&P, and ACL. They never purchased any. Their first passenger diesels were GP9 “Redbirds” painted Tuscan Red.

Mostly incorrect Robert!
The first N&W freight diesels were RS3's. Then the GP9s and RS11s, bought, NOT inherited! They did lease some E units from the ACL and RF&P until the passenger GP9/GP18 came along.
The F units, and other oddball stuff, came with the Wabash/NKP merger.

One thing to keep in mind is that the N&W was the last class I to fully dieselize and by the time they did, the cab unit era was mostly a thing of the past.  It is really a testament to their mechanical department on how well their steam fleet was maintained. 

As others have mentioned, the few cab units came with the Wabash merger.  CNJ leased some in the early 1970's.  They went as far as to repaint one into CNJ colors, but when the N&W found out CNJ had to repaint it back.

Even if they were a bit utilitarian in looks, those Redbird GP9s were classy looking passenger locomotives.

@GG1 4877 posted:

One thing to keep in mind is that the N&W was the last class I to fully dieselize and by the time they did, the cab unit era was mostly a thing of the past.  It is really a testament to their mechanical department on how well their steam fleet was maintained.

Yes, the end of the cab units was in full swing when they gave up on steam, but a passenger train pulled by a GP does not have that 'streamline effect' look to it like an E8 or FT gives one.

Thanks for all the comments fellows.