Hi,I´m Christian from Germany,
can anyone me said what for letters (not A or B) are written under the side number of a F7a?By the way what does it says?
Christian,
The NYC would paint the locomotive class number below the road number on the side.
For instance, an F-7 might be a DFA-2c, DFA-2d etc. This is the railroad’s classification to designate particular specifications of a certain lot of locomotives ordered.
DFA would be D iesel F reight A unit
DRSP (Diesel Road Switcher Passenger)
DPA-1a an EMD E-7; DPA-1b also an EMD E-7 but a later order with slightly different details (perhaps a different pilot, etc)
Some classes of NYC engines had many sub-classes but they were all the same builders “model” number…
Hope this helps,
ED
Ed is correct, Christian,
And there’s a reference book that shows all the NYC diesel classes. It’s “Diesel Locomotives of the New York Central System,” by Edson, Smith, and Vail, published by the New York Central System Historical Society in 1978. It’s not currently shown on the society’s Web site, but you might be able to find a copy from used book dealers or even Amazon.
So long,
Andy