Growing up in roanoke , headquarters of the n&w , it has to be the GP-9 . Nothing like the sound of that 567 and the leslie horn . RON
RS-18u - haven't worked on them yet, but we just bought two.
RS-3, C242, F7, F3 (now F10), GP9. I've worked with all of them and will be running most in the not-too-distant future.
Can't complain. I'd have to put the RS3 at the top of the list, though.
Sure is an old thread....
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
The MLW RS10 and RS18...i like their look and sound....
Santa Fe NW2 (can still remember the black & whites), Rock Island SW8 and Mopac SW12's.
my favorite 1st generation diesel,has to be the former New haven FL-9,dual mode that was signed over to the conrail,then eventually Metro-North,I have ridden behind the above named locomotive,before it was taken out of service,now in museum service,it can still be a great loco,when it is maintained.6 that Amtrak owned are now on the Maine& Eastern,it is one of the best loco's made.although they lost their third rail capability,they are still my favorite.then the E-8,and the SD-9,and others.I have the book,by Robert laMay.Diesels to Park Avenue.a great book.thanks.!
Hi,
To see all of the W-SS Rwy diesels and steam locomotives use this link at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/WSSRWY-HPTDRR/?yguid=63476740 to access my W-SS Rwy & HPT&D RR website.
"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)
QUOTE: Originally posted by rdganthracite Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A The answer is actually quite complex but here are some major reasons. 1. the problems with the 244 engine turned off many customers 2. ALCO could not compete with GM's financing of the sales ( example: PRSL wanted C415s but had to "settle" for GP38s due to financing) 3. ALCO did not support the locos after the sale as well as GM 4. ALCO wasted a lot of effort on non locomotive efforts 5. ALCO had to rely on GE for the electricals GM had its own 6. ALCO made some serious design mistakes in the Century lines. i.e the weight balance of nearly all of the 4 axle Centuries. SP wanted to replace all of its switchers with C415s but they were too slippery because most of the weight was over one truck. The C424s and C425 had similar problems. ______________________________________________________________ ALCO might not be building locomotives anymore but they are still in business building engines for industrial and marine apps. I have a 12-251 running not too far from my house in a huge Bucyrus-Erie dragline for a gravel co.. They're still around, just not as visiable. [:p][:D][8D] Reply Edit AlcoRS11Nut Member sinceJuly 2002 From: Stevens Point 436 posts Posted by AlcoRS11Nut on Friday, August 15, 2003 10:20 AM Any ALCO. I love the smell of ALCo smoke in the Morning. "Long live the 251!!!" I miss the GBW and my favorite uncle is Uncle Pete. Uncle Pete eats Space Noodles for breakfast. Reply oltmannd Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: Atlanta 11,971 posts Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, August 14, 2003 12:27 PM If I had to own and operate one, it would be a GP9, hands down. Simple. Reliable. Easy to maintain. Cheap parts abound. Just on pure looks, it would be the Alco PA (woulda been a GG1 if electrics were allowed) -Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/) Reply henry6 Member sinceDecember 2001 8,156 posts Posted by henry6 on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 1:05 PM Best first generation diesel? The EMD E units were beautiful in full gait but a Baldwin Shark back to back pulling the Pennsy Broker or a coal drag in Pennsylvania was an absolute charm. First cab ride was an RS2 but GP7s looked busy on the head end of anything. EMD F's were brutrish but cowered under the E's. An Alco PA was a plain lady doing her dance with grace and elegance and class; the FA, her baby brother. A Baldwin Baby Faced anything looked scared, fearful of what may be coming at it or from behind, but could they scamper like a centipede looking for a place to hide. And Fairbanks Morse made so many attempts at greatness until the Trainmaster its predecssors were all but forgotten while we stared at what the second generation could be. I would trade any one of the above for a fleet of today's power! RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing. Reply gemperfilm Member sinceMarch 2003 26 posts Posted by gemperfilm on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 6:38 AM Mine would have to be the GP9. I remember many a time hearing them accelerate to pull a coal train out of Portsmouth, Ohio. I still love that sound. Of course the N&W had Leslie horns on their GP9s Combine that sound with the EMD 567 and it was a slice of heaven. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 3:21 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan My favorite 1st generation diesels would have to be the early ALCO road switchers. I often wondered if ALCO didn't lose ground because during World War II, its diesel production was limited, and it had to spread its energies over both steam and diesel power, while GM-EMD could devote most, if not all, of its energy to road diesels. ALCO also make tanks during WWII. Stay Safe and Look, Listen, and LIVE Don't forget the troops. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 13, 2003 12:24 AM ALCOs for many rail hobbyists' and model railroaders' perspective were the best in any generation. Nothing could beat their looks, sounds and all that black, suity exhaust! Additionally, the fact that most models weren't nearly as common as the EMD competition made them naturally more appealing. Reply Edit AltonFan Member sinceApril 2003 From: US 1,522 posts Posted by AltonFan on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 10:11 PM My favorite 1st generation diesels would have to be the early ALCO road switchers. I often wondered if ALCO didn't lose ground because during World War II, its diesel production was limited, and it had to spread its energies over both steam and diesel power, while GM-EMD could devote most, if not all, of its energy to road diesels. Dan Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 4:31 PM to eolafan, growing up on the harlem line in pleasantville Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:21 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by rdganthracite QUOTE: Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A The answer is actually quite complex but here are some major reasons. 1. the problems with the 244 engine turned off many customers 2. ALCO could not compete with GM's financing of the sales ( example: PRSL wanted C415s but had to "settle" for GP38s due to financing) 3. ALCO did not support the locos after the sale as well as GM 4. ALCO wasted a lot of effort on non locomotive efforts 5. ALCO had to rely on GE for the electricals GM had its own 6. ALCO made some serious design mistakes in the Century lines. i.e the weight balance of nearly all of the 4 axle Centuries. SP wanted to replace all of its switchers with C415s but they were too slippery because most of the weight was over one truck. The C424s and C425 had similar problems. 7. STABBED in the back by GE, who took their design and made them their own. What a faithful business partner NOT. I have talked to different rr engineers ( some who ran both steam and diesel) and most all of them agree they would rather run an ALCO engine (when they were new) than anything else. They told me Alco could outpull anything. Also many of them disliked the early GEs because of frequent wheel slips and very rough ride. Alcos 244 engines were not a good product. However the 251 was good. Point #1 was correct. After the problems with the 244 many rrs never gave Alco a chance. My favorite would be the RS1s RS2s and RS3 these had character and style. And for passenger service the Alco PAs. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 11:35 AM Speaking of 1st generation Diesel Loco's, has anyone out there heard anymore on the the two ALOC PA1's that were brought back from Mexico a while back to be restored? Any progress or is funding the big issues? Thanks. Larry Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 10, 2003 12:24 AM My favorite 1st generation diesel would have to be the EMD-GP7. I used to love to see & listen to the old Rock Island GP7's roar & smoke pulling a grade when I was a kid!!....I also like the EMD-GP9's..........machinistman.... Reply Edit Wdlgln005 Member sinceApril 2002 From: Nashville TN 1,306 posts Posted by Wdlgln005 on Saturday, August 9, 2003 9:21 PM My favorite is the Rio Grande F9 5771. Classy unit pulling a classy Rio Grande Zephyr, can't beat the trip from Denver to Salt Lake & back. The Ky RR museum has a Monon BL2. Go in the cab, it looks like a F3 without the nose & a strange carbody. At least it still operates on their little passenger run . New Haven to Boston & back in 1-1/2 hrs. Hope this link works: http://www.kyrail.org/Images/bl2.jpg Glenn Woodle Reply eolafan Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Aurora, IL 4,515 posts Posted by eolafan on Saturday, August 9, 2003 8:46 AM To jchoochoo71, I too am fond of the old FL-9, having grown up around them living in Yonkers/Bronxville, NY in the fifties through seventies. I remember hearing their air whistles in the middle of the night blowing as they passed through Bronxville and Tuckahoe stations. Last year I traveled way up to end of track on the Harlem line and saw several on short trains up that way...big difference between seeing a train up there vs. in Yonkers area! Where were you living when you were seeing them? Jim Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim) Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 8, 2003 11:44 PM I'm not really sure anymore but I really like the CB&Q E-5 on the front end of the Zephyr. It's kind of like an old car inside, with roll-down windows and front-quarter vent windows and a "dashboard". it sure is fun to ride in that left seat! Rich Witt Arlington Heights, IL Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 6:48 PM MY FAVORITES PROBABLY ARE THE FL-9, IN NEW HAVEN PAINT OF COURSE,( BUT IT STILL LOOKS GOOD IN NYC LIGHTNING STRIPES), FOR EMD BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT I WAS RAISED ON, THE ALCO RS-1 IN SOLID BLACK NYC, BECAUSE I RAN ONE AND THE U25B IN MCGINNIS NEW HAVEN LIVERY BECAUSE THE WERE THE MAYBROOKS BACKBONE FOR HAULING TONNAGE. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 7, 2003 11:59 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A The answer is actually quite complex but here are some major reasons. 1. the problems with the 244 engine turned off many customers 2. ALCO could not compete with GM's financing of the sales ( example: PRSL wanted C415s but had to "settle" for GP38s due to financing) 3. ALCO did not support the locos after the sale as well as GM 4. ALCO wasted a lot of effort on non locomotive efforts 5. ALCO had to rely on GE for the electricals GM had its own 6. ALCO made some serious design mistakes in the Century lines. i.e the weight balance of nearly all of the 4 axle Centuries. SP wanted to replace all of its switchers with C415s but they were too slippery because most of the weight was over one truck. The C424s and C425 had similar problems. Reply Edit vsmith Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Smoggy L.A. 10,743 posts Posted by vsmith on Thursday, August 7, 2003 10:15 AM [V]Geez, ya guys are choosing all these UGLY frieghties.[:(] My favorite 1st generation diesel is: The Pioneer Zepher - Not only is it a drop dead gorgeous train, it was one of the very first diesel motor demonstrators built, it was also the first to use lightweight alloy construction, articulated design, aerodynamic principles and after its first run it was one of the fastest trains on the planet. It and its progeny were huge successes. Thats what I call an awesome loco.[:D] Have fun with your trains Reply 123 Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
QUOTE: Originally posted by AltonFan My favorite 1st generation diesels would have to be the early ALCO road switchers. I often wondered if ALCO didn't lose ground because during World War II, its diesel production was limited, and it had to spread its energies over both steam and diesel power, while GM-EMD could devote most, if not all, of its energy to road diesels.
Dan
QUOTE: Originally posted by rdganthracite QUOTE: Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A The answer is actually quite complex but here are some major reasons. 1. the problems with the 244 engine turned off many customers 2. ALCO could not compete with GM's financing of the sales ( example: PRSL wanted C415s but had to "settle" for GP38s due to financing) 3. ALCO did not support the locos after the sale as well as GM 4. ALCO wasted a lot of effort on non locomotive efforts 5. ALCO had to rely on GE for the electricals GM had its own 6. ALCO made some serious design mistakes in the Century lines. i.e the weight balance of nearly all of the 4 axle Centuries. SP wanted to replace all of its switchers with C415s but they were too slippery because most of the weight was over one truck. The C424s and C425 had similar problems.
QUOTE: Originally posted by TARGUBRIGHT I have a question for the Alco fans out there. If Alco's were so good, Why did the Company go out of business??? TIM A
Have fun with your trains
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