Early diesels?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I am modeling NYC WWII era and am tring to figure out what diesels were around? My model date is early 1945. I think I know the answer but would like another opinion.

Thanks

2

I’ll be interested in the answers as well. I would guess mostly switchers. I know several types were available, but war production prohibited them being manufactured and delivered to the RRs. The few railroads that had already purchased FTs in 1941 were slightly ahead of the game.

3

Schom,

Are you asking generally about the prototype, or are you asking specifically about what models are available? Freight or diesel?

Here are a couple of good sights to check out prototype information on early diesels:

http://yardlimit.railfan.net/guide/index.html

http://www.thedieselshop.us

As far as specific NYC models are concerned, here’s a list of a few freight diesel locomotives:

  • Alco HH600 switcher (12/38-3/39)
  • Alco S1 switcher (1940-1950)
  • Baldwin VO-660 switcher (05/41-01/45)
  • EMD FTs (06/44) - “Cat whisker” scheme

If you are interested in scale models in HO, I’ll be glad to give you more information.

Tom

4

There were boxcabs around in those days. Here’s some info on them;

http://home.att.net/~Berliner-Ultrasonics/boxcabs.html

Probably not what you were after, but they could add some variety on the layout.

5

New York Central received four E7As in March of 1945 and four AB sets of E7s in October of that year. The railroad also had a good quantity of SW1s from General Motors. Diesel data from A J Kristopans EMD Serial Number page.

6

You could also try http://exotic.railfan.net/ - they have a lot of interesting information regarding early locos. Hope this is of help!

7

Off the top of my head these were available… (dunno which NYC had)…

GE 44 ton
ALCO S-1
ALCO S-2
ALCO HH600/660

Cooper-Bessemer and Ingersol-Rand had some models out too.

There were more, EMD’s and the like. The first diesel switcher in the NE was an NHRR ALCO.

8

I was told that the NW-2 became available in 1940 or so. I think I also read that the SW-7 came out in 1947. Don’t quote me on these as I am NOT an expert by any means. Just repeating what other people told me.

9

I would check the New York Central historical society or look into books on the history of the railroad. NYC was pretty early to dieselize althought it still had a sizeable steam fleet in 1945. I know NYC had FT’s, and FT production ended in 1945 so these would work. I know they had E-units too but not sure when they were purchased, might be later than 1945.

http://www.nycshs.org/

10

The NYC received their first E7A’s in 1945 from March to October. They received 28 more E7’s in 1947 and 1948.

E639A 03.45, 10.45 2865-2872 E7A NYC 4000-4007 8 each

They purchased 4 FTA & B sets in June of 1944.

You could certainly run FT’A & B sets and E7’s for 1945. I believe they also had E7B’s early on also.

FT’s 06.44 1888-1891 FTA NYC 1600-1603 4

11

If any of you are interested in getting a set of the FT A-B “Cat Whisker” scheme diesels, Empire Northern Models is still taking reservations for an exclusive version from Stewart: #1600/2400 & #1601/2401. Here’s the link:

http://www.empirenorthernmodels.com

Hopefully, they should be coming in either March or April.

Tom