can someone identify this for me please??

[Pam Brooker]

I know its an alco passenger ( P unit ) but which one.. I cant find any information on it ( cuz i dont know what to look for 0..
Thanks
Pam

[PapaXpress]

Hope this helps:
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=53210
http://d1ke3s7oc9e1xt.cloudfront.net/pu ... jpg?c=e4a9 (yes HO scale)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALCO_DL-109

[Pam Brooker]

thanks Papa.. Thats exactly what i was looking for..

[jamesphh]

Looks like a DL-109. RI 621-624.

[philmoberg]

Not to split hairs, but 621 was actually a DL-107. Alco, like most teakettle builders who transitioned to diesels, didn't think in terms of standard designs like EMD did, at least initially. A change in sheet metal, alone, would have been enough to trigger a change in specification number, in those days. A formal set of model numbers (such as the PA, FA and RS series) would not be developed for several years.

In addition to that, there were a number of differences (most of them subtle and internal) among the early Alco passenger units, that distinguished them from each other, at least from the standpoint of those who had to build and maintain them. This is one of the reasons units like these became orphans, and were among the first to be scrapped, traded-in or (as in 621's case) re-powered. There's a good summary of the history here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DL-109), in addition to which, RMC ran a set of brief articles with drawings back in the late-'60s, just after the last of these (IIRC these were RI 621 NH 716) and had been retired and scrapped.

[PapaXpress]

Not to split hairs but your wiki link looks kinda like my wiki link

[TrainMaster1]

This is a DL-109 (not a 107) and was nicknamed "Christine" by the railroad. In this picture it is rolling our of the EMD shops in La Grange after having its Alco prime mover replaced by and EMD engine. In the long run, Alco's inability to produce a stable long lasting reliable engine (244-H and 251-C were its best efforts) caused many roads to look elsewhere for power.

When GE who supplied many of Alco parts decided to compete in the 1960's rather than sell parts to Alco the writing was on the wall. I have a special fondness for Alcos as I (along with other in my group) own 8 of them in 1:1 scale.

Nick

[philmoberg]

Not to split hairs but your wiki link looks kinda like my wiki link

Not split hairs by any means, Papa: that's what I get for posting before breakfast ...

BTW, Alco continued to use the DL specification internally into the late-'50s, that I'm aware of. The RS-11 was known to those who built them as a DL-701, for example.

Also BTW, have you seen this one (http://thedieselshop.us/Alco%20DL109.HTML), Papa? Evidently, the only difference between a 105 and a 107 was the gear ratio. What is intriguing to me is that there was a major upgrade of the design between the New Haven's early and later DL-109s, but Alco didn't change the specification number. I'd be curious to know whether Alco decided the situation was confusing enough, or whether this was to get around War Production Board restrictions on new designs. I wouldn't bet on any records of this surviving at this late date, though.

(Edit: for new link)

[jpetersjr]

I would love to see one of those in Railworks.

Seems like it would be a very interesting engine, only problem is the last time I looked I couldn't find any cab pictures for the possibility of being payware.

[TrainMaster1]

Wow that is a great site for all kinds of locomotive knowledge. Quite surprised that when you click on Alco in the builder section that grey ghost is our FA-2 ex LN #317. We purchased it from the Long Island RR where it was #602. Also have another L&N FA-2 (#309) and an FB-2 (ex-CN) to go with them. Also an FA-1/FB-1/FA-1 set from the SP&S. Only matched set left of '1's and 2's on the planet I believe.

Nick

[Chessie8638]

http://thedieselshop.us/Alco%20DL109.HTML

Good site, just don't use it for actual Class I rosters. Lot's O' Errors.

[philmoberg]

Good site, just don't use it for actual Class I rosters. Lot's O' Errors.

I haven't really used this site for anything beyond the early Alcos. Thanks for the heads up. Errors like that tend to get easier as the roster gets bigger, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.