As I posted on the Diner not long ago, I obtained two cab rides on the Adirondack Scenic RR at our local PBS merchandise auction last spring. Today (9/30) I made the trip to Lake Placid (NY) to ca***he certificates in.
I had expected to be riding in an ex-Alaska RR F7A. When I arrived, I found that was not the case, but I was far from disappointed:
(MassCentral 4243)(SP&S 303)(BN 4243)
The crew loves the old girl. Their “protection” locomotive is a Geep set up to run long-hood forward. I can now tell you from personal experience that that is a true pain in the …
Hanging off the coupler were Timber Train 7401 (Coach), ADK 521 (Baggage), ADK 800 (Cafe/Lounge), and ADK 5042 (Coach). I may research them some day, but they weren’t central to the experience.
All told, it was a really great day. Forty miles in the cab, including a couple three at the throttle (under close supervision…).
I’ll be putting the pictures up on my personal website - link to follow when I get it done.
Well thats where BN4243 went! Have many photos of that rascal running on Kyle RR in the late 1980’s between Limon, CO and Manhattan, KS on the former Rock Island. (We saw them being delivered and put back into service at Goodland, KS after a couple of years in a Chicago deadline)
Jay - I just discovered I never took a picture of the EMD GP?. It’s from the Atlantic & St Lawrence - still has the high, short hood, and is set up for long hood forward.
The ALCO C424 (Still burbles, wheezes and smokes - and for those who’ve spent time in the cab - clicks and clacks in transition and for the dynamic) is the favorite of most of the engineers. Runs like a top (albeit one 41 years old).
I am familiar with the C424 and also the Alaska RR F7A from their days with the Mass Central RR. The Mass Central is a shortline that runs from Palmer, MA north to South Barre, MA. At the time they had these two engines the railroad operated a container terminal in Palmer. It wasn’t uncommon to see your C424 paired up with a C425 or the F7A pulling a mile long cut of intermodal cars from the Conrail interchange to their unloading facility. Mass Central never repainted these engines. The F7A stayed in full Alaska RR paint. The C424 & C425 stayed in the orange & black of their predecessor with a MCER patch on the cab. The Adirondak RR sounds very interesting. I’ll have to con the wife into taking a trip out there soon. Your write-up and photos were very enjoyable!
ADK finally repainted the F7A after running it ARR colors for a while, too. Haven’t seen any pictures on 4243 in other than ADK paint.
Check out their website - Utica would just be a run up the Turnpike/Thruway, and Thendara is about 45-60 minutes from there. I think the Lake Placid operation may close after mid-October.
