CORINTH, N.Y. — The Delaware & Hudson Railway Historical Society, newly formed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the state of New York, has announced it has acquired for preservation former D&H Alco RS3 locomotive No. 4085.
The group acquired the locomotive —currently located at the Erie Turntable in Port Jervis, N.Y. — on Nov. 12, 2024. Built in September 1952, the 1,600-hp unit spent 28 years on the D&H before moving onto the Ontario Eastern Railroad, Genesee Valley Transportation, and New York & Greenwood Lake Railway. Stored in Port Jervis for 14 years, it was acquired by the City of Port Jervis in 2023 before its purchase by the historical society. The locomotive is scheduled for restoration, including its return to full D&H paint, at the Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway, the heritage operation that operates a portion of the former D&H Adirondack Branch based in Corinth, N.Y.
The society will operate almost exclusively online, with membership options as low as $1 per month via Patreon. It produces the digital Champlain Shield newsletter, hosts virtual events featuring interviews with D&H veterans and historians, and partners with other preservation organizations to maximize impact while maintaining low overhead costs. The organization has a large interactive online archive of D&H documents, drawings, maps, and photographs, available to new members immediately upon joining.
“This Society is about more than just preserving artifacts,” D&HRHS President Brad Peterson said in a press release. “It’s about keeping the spirit of the Delaware & Hudson Railway alive for future generations, using 21st century tools to connect enthusiasts worldwide.”
Those interested in more information about the historical society, the preservation of RS3 No. 4085, becoming a member can visit the society’s website.
