Prototype News

The Illinois Railway Museum has restored perhaps the oldest bicentennial diesel locomotive in existence. Ingersoll-Rand 91 was the eighth production diesel locomotive ever built and was constructed in 1926 by a consortium of American Locomotive Company, General Electric and Ingersoll-Rand. The 300-horsepower diesel engine was perfect for low-speed switching and was sold to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western as its 3001. 

The boxy locomotive worked at the DL&W’s Brooklyn rail yard for a quarter century before being sold back to Ingersoll-Rand, which used it as a shop switcher in Phillipsburg, N.J., from 1951 until 1984. It was then donated to IRM. During its time at Ingersoll-Rand, the locomotive was painted in a special red, white and blue livery to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday. 

As the only locomotive at IRM to have been given a special patriotic livery for the bicentennial, I-R 91 was selected by Diesel Department volunteers for cosmetic restoration during the nation’s semiquincentennial year. The locomotive is complete and largely in good condition. Restoration work in recent years has included rebuilding the trucks and replacing air tanks and piping, but significant funding is still necessary to rebuild the locomotive’s electric traction motors. The museum intends to eventually restore the locomotive to operation, which would make it the oldest operational diesel-electric locomotive in the country.

—Justin Franz 

The post Oldest Diesel at IRM Gets New Paint appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

For the first time in 15 years, New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Alco RS-3 529 is expected to roll through Connecticut’s scenic Naugatuck Valley. Volunteers at the Railroad Museum of New England are feverishly working to complete an operational restoration of the locomotive, which includes returning it to its original orange-and-green New Haven livery. 

The 529 has been a staple at RMNE and the Naugatuck Railroad for 30 years. The engine was built by Alco in August 1950 and upgraded in 1959. It worked across the New Haven’s entire system, including the line between Waterbury and Torrington, which is now operated by the Naugatuck. The locomotive later worked for Penn Central and Conrail before being retired in August 1985. The following month, it was purchased by RMNE. The engine was later restored to its New Haven colors and has been working on the Naugy since September 1996. The locomotive is the sole survivor of the New Haven’s 62 RS-2 and RS-3 type locomotives. 

A number of cosmetic changes are currently being made to the locomotive, perhaps most notably, the restoration of its original headlight. Officials expect to have the locomotive ready for the Naugatuck Railroad’s 30th anniversary celebration the weekend of September 25-27. The event will feature night photo sessions and special excursions. For more information, visit RMNE.org. 

—Justin Franz 

The post New Haven RS-3 to Return to Service on the Naugatuck appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

After six years with White River Productions, Associate Editor Justin Franz will be departing the staffs of Railfan & Railroad and Railroad Model Craftsman to accept a full-time position with the Center for Railroad Photography & Art. Justin will continue serving as a contributor to our monthly news columns.

During his time with R&R and RMC, Justin has helped develop engaging feature stories, manage our news coverage and regular contributors, support our online reporting, and bring the excitement of railroading to our readers each month. His knowledge of the railroad industry, strong journalistic instincts, and enthusiasm for telling meaningful stories have made him an important and valued member of our small editorial team.

While we are sorry to see Justin go, we are also excited for him as he begins this next chapter and continues his work documenting and sharing railroad history and photography. We are grateful for everything he has contributed to our magazines and wish him every success in his new role.

—Steve Barry and Otto M. Vondrak

The post Justin Franz Departs Railfan & Railroad for New Position appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.