Move over Alcos, No. 6002, the Western New York & Pennsylvania’s first operating AC GE, is ready for service.
Stephan M. Koenig
OLEAN, N.Y. — On Tuesday, Western New York & Pennsylvania AC46CH No. 6002 became the first alternating current GE to enter revenue service on the railroad famed for its big Alco motive power. The locomotive which arrived on the property more than three weeks ago underwent evaluations, crew familiarization, and was prepped for its new role on the railroad. For now it will be kept in captive service on the “Sling Shot” between Olean, N.Y., and Salamanca, N.Y., before it will be used elsewhere, according to WNY&P sources. No. 6002 is the only active unit of its type on the railroad right now. Sister No. 6001 is currently on Norfolk Southern at Decatur, Ill., slowly making its way east to the railroad. No. 6005 is having its paint work completed on the Arkansas & Missouri in Springdale, Ark. It will be shipped sometime in the coming weeks. Railroad sources have reiterated that no big MLWs have been retired at this time and will continue to operate in some form through the end of the year. As we head into the peak fall season this will be your last opportunity to get your photos of them in the prime colors of the Allegheny forest. The best times will be over the next six weeks.
Please preserve some of the Alcos!
Engine crews will help cut up the Alcos once they’ve run trains with AC power!
Is that the original Deutz AC6000CW prime mover from 20+ years ago, or a newly developed ES?
It’s a GEVO-16 capable of 5900 hp and de-rated to 4600.
Does anyone know the true horsepower rating, and the engine model? I’ve heard 6,000, 5,000, and 4,400; Cooper- Bessemer 16 cyl, Deutz 16, or ES 12?
Trade in of your Alco soot, for the shaking floor of that big GE.
There goes the neighborhood.