ALCo PA-1 / PA-4
Obtained from the Santa Fe in December of 1967 and painted in a blue version of the Santa Fe’s "Warbonnet" scheme, the four famous ALCo PA-1s were used to upgrade the power on passenger trains between Albany and Montreal. The D&H owned a fifth PA, the ex-New Haven #0783, which was used for spare parts.
D&H PAs #17, #18, and #19 pull an excursion in 1973. Walter Schopp photo, The Garbely Publishing Company collection
The PAs later became part of a preservation project under the guidance of Carl B. Sterzing, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware & Hudson. The four operable PAs were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen in 1975 to PA-4 specifications, with newer ALCo 12-cylinder 251 prime movers replacing their older 16-cylinder blocks. Along with occasional freight duties, they participated in public relations ventures and railfan trips until the end of Mr. Sterzing's tenure, including a sojourn with the MBTA pulling passenger trains out of South Station in Boston. They were later shipped to Mexico on a long-term lease in 1978. The #17 is still in working order with the FNM (Ferrocarilles del Pacifico) and numbered DH-17.
The #16 was named M. A. Davis (Chief Road Foreman) and #18 was named G. W. Hockaday (Chief Mechanical Engineer).
* These units were outfitted with a steam generator for passenger service.
| Delaware & Hudson Railway ALCo PA-1 / PA-4 Roster (Class P-20) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Model | Builder | Serial | Built | Retired | Notes | Photos |
| 16* | PA-1 | ALCo | 76535 | 10/1948 | sold 1978 | Built as AT&SF #59L, acquired 12/1967, rebuilt by M-K to PA-4 in 5/1975, sold to FNM | Link |
| 17* | PA-1 | ALCo | 76537 | 11/1948 | sold 1978 | Built as AT&SF #60L, acquired 12/1967, rebuilt by M-K to PA-4 in 10/1975, sold to FNM | Link |
| 18* | PA-1 | ALCo | 76541 | 12/1948 | sold 1978 | Built as AT&SF #62L, acquired 12/1967, rebuilt by M-K to PA-4 in 8/1975, sold to FNM | Link |
| 19* | PA-1 | ALCo | 75318 | 5/1947 | sold 1978 | Built as AT&SF #54B (renumbered #66L), acquired 12/1967, rebuilt by M-K to PA-4 in 2/1975, sold to FNM | |
| 0783 | PA-1 | ALCo | 76325 | 3/1949 | scrap 1972 | Built as NH #0783, acquired 2/1968, used for parts | |
| ALCo PA-1 / PA-4 Data | ||
|---|---|---|
| PA-1 | PA-4 | |
| Engine | 16-cylinder 244 | 12-cylinder 251F |
| Trucks | A-1-A | A-1-A |
| Truck Type | ALCo/GE | ALCo/GE |
| Fuel (gals.) | 1,260 | 1,260 |
| Sand (cu. ft.) | 22 | 22 |
| Weight (lbs.) | 317,900 | 317,900 |
| Horsepower | 2000 hp | 2400 hp |
| Traction Motors | GE E752E6 | GE E752E6 |
| Tractive Effort | 33,000 lbs. @ 19 mph | 33,000 lbs. @ 19 mph |
| Gearing | 61:22 | 61:22 |
D&H 16 and 18
Two of Delaware and Hudson's famous Alco PA's (#16 & #18) lead the southbound Adirondack through Mechanicville, NY on February 14th, 1976. Photo by Gary Zuters, copyright 1976,1995, all rights reserved. Scan by John Reay.
D&H 17
An interesting feature of Delaware and Hudson's PA #17 is the different grill work behind the cab. Originally the unit had the same trim and grill work as the other units, but shortly before the unit was sold to the D&H, Santa Fe modified it to match newer PA-2's.
D&H 18
D&H PA-1 #18 at Colonie, before rebuilding at M-K. Jay Winn collection