I’ll once again be in WNY next month. However, this time around, my g/f is going to be busy with work, and so I plan to get out and do some hardcore railfanning. I’ve been looking at this site and noticing that there are a LOT of ALCos in NY State! One of the ideas I’ve had was for a day chasing ALCos around. While the site gives current locations, it doesn’t give a whole lot of info on operations.
What would be my best chance of catching some operating ALCos out and about in the WNY area?
Unfortunately right now the C424 (4243) and the RS3 (8223) we have regularly run with in the past are both out of service, one in Utica, the other in Rome.
In text, I’d rather see just “Alco”. This has some basis, as the company’s name was Alco Products, Inc., from about 1956 onward. “ALCo” is technically correct for the American Locomotive Company, though.
Wow ! That’s impressive - both that guy’s website and list - [bow] - and the number of ALCos still extant in New York state.
There are also a few in Pennsylvania, esp. on the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad in the Scranton- Stroudsburg area - apparently incl. RS-3, RS-11, C425, C630, M636, and C636. Although it’s like a 3 to 4 hour drive from the Buffalo area, I believe that at least some are usually operating, and it might make a good ‘far end’ point to include in a’ loop-trip’, or as a turnaround point from which to go back to Buffalo. Here’s a link to the best recent info that I could find quickly - though I would spend some time to confirm any of this before setting out:
Steamtown is worth the visit to Scranton. Depending on what’s going on, you might see one or several of D-L’s big Alco’s, or maybe “the triplets” - three RS-3’s.
Steamtown runs a ‘yard’ local most days with steam. You might want to check that on their website.
A trip to Scranton might include stops at Starucca and Tunkahannock Viaducts, too.
GVT’s Utica operation, the Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern isn’t real active, only going out a couple of days a week. They do get out on the CSX Chicago Line between Utica and Rome, though.
Lately WNYP has been running locals on MWF, one e/b out of Meadville and another w/b out of Olean.They meet in Falconer usually in early afternoon. As i understand it, they swap crews in Falconer and then continue on. Bring a scanner and you can hear them on 160.260, or at least you will hear the Olean dispatcher. The w/b normally reports clear of Casino (Salamanca) while the e/b reports Corry Diamond. Track speed is 25 mph. Using that you can estimate their progress Another usual reporting point is MP 36 at Lakewood (my home)
Also you can be on the lookout for NS coal trains. They run at almost any time. Of course they don’t run Alcos but it’s still action nonetheless.
Since you are going to New York for an ALCo Expedition; I feel it would be most appropriate to make a side trip to the Place where the ALCo was Debuted in NYC, at the Waldorf-Astorial Hotel’s own private siding! This would be after going by the old plant at Schenectady and genuflecting at the front gate…[swg]
"…In September 1946, the first production units, an A-B-A set of PA1s in Santa Fe colors were released from the factory, and sent to New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which had a private railroad siding, for exhibition before being launched into road service.[1.]…
Seriously; Have a safe trip and look forward to your posting lots of pictures![tup][tup]
Michigan had a permit, too, from the state police.
New York has no statewide mechanism - the permit has to come from a local authority. I’m not sure how ‘portable’ that permit is - ie, if this county sheriff gave you a permit, would it be valid in that county. The law doesn’t specify. Here’s a thread from railroad.net on the topic.
On the other hand, the police don’t go out looking for people with scanners. If you’re behaving yourself and generally keep it out of sight, you probably won’t get hassled.