NYC E or F EMD

[MRTerry]

It's great to see some NYC fans here!

Here are a few thoughts, based on info I've found: 1) The NYC used a variety of passenger units in the 1950s, but settled on E7s and E8s. They used them in pairs on everything except the 20th Century Limited, which got 3 units, and some of the long mail trains, which also got 3 (or more, at the very end). 2) The PAs were retired early, and the RS, F3 and GP units that were passenger-equipped went to freight service. I've seen a few photos of RS and Geep diesels in intercity (not commuter) passenger service after 1960, but not many. 3) There are actually quite a few passenger cars available that are NYC prototype (or are very close). I've put my list of modeling tips for HO scale in this story: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/937qgslf.asp

Thanks for reading Model Railroader,
Terry




http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/005/937qgslf.asp

[Anonymous]

Of the Walthers streamlined cars, the Budd baggage-dorm, the Budd grill-diner and the Pullman - Standard 64-seat coach (just released) are NYC prototype cars. The Budd 10-6 "Pine" sleeper is close, but the letterboards aren't the right dimensions. Likewise for the Budd slumbercoach.

The slumbercoaches like the Walthers car were found only on the 20th Century Ltd. and the New England States. The other cars were found on just about any NYC train operating from about 1950 to the Penn Central merger.

[Dproline]

Did E8-E9s as per jim six .would walthers bud cars work? If so on what train.

[cefinkjr]

By the time I worked for NYC ('67 to the end), I think all of the F3s were gone or restricted to freight service. I never saw anything on an NYC passenger train west of Harmon but E7 A-units. And we NEVER put a single unit on a train regardless of its length; they were too unreliable. With any kind of luck, they wouldn't both die on the road at the same time and one could drag the other one in. At the same time, I don't recall ever seeing more than two units on a train -- even on the Century. I do remember seeing a helper (some sort of switcher) on west bound trains out of Albany when holiday mail traffic was very heavy.

Chuck

[coalminer3]

NE States, as I recall seeing it, also ran with Es and PAs. The Fallen Flags website has lots of pictures of NYC passenger operations which will be a big help to you as well.

work safe.

[jimrice4449]

Because of the Berkshire Hills, the New England States generally ran w/ an ABA set of "Chicken wire" F-3s all the way to Chicago. Otherwise EMD Es or PAs on mainline trains. On the subsidiary lines, it depends. I've seen pix of the James Whitcomb Riley w/ 2 psgr GPs.

[Anonymous]

NYC usually used E units for passenger service, along with PA's, some FM cab units and RS2's & 3's for commuter service. The only F's were a group of F3's equipped with steam generators.

[Anonymous]

maybe I should have mentioned, I'm modeling a late 1950's/early 60's NYC passenger train, so this question would relate to that era, thankyou.

[Anonymous]

did the NYC use both E and F class EMDs for passenger trains? if so, which engine was more predominately used?