Readville, MA: The GreatRails North American Railroad Photo Archive

The GreatRails North American Railroad Photo Archive

Readville, MA

PC 5471 X-NH RS-3, 4265 X-PRR E8 on southbound Shore Line train. For years I wondered why the RS-3 was the leading unit. It's a fare assumption that these were the only units available at train time. So, here's my guess. The RS-3 originally was steam generator equipped, but when rebuilt by Alco, the steam line connections weren't kept, so the E-8 had to trail to provide steam heat to the train. Or maybe the RS-3 had to lead as not to excess it's rated top speed which I assume was less than the E-8. I didn't ask enough questions in my Mechanical Dept. training!

Photographed by Bruce Nelson, March, 1971.
Added to the photo archive by Bruce Nelson, January 4, 2024.
Railroad: Penn Central.

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Visitor Comments about this Photo:

Shoreline cab signals would have made it an ok leader.

Posted by Ken Patton on 2024-01-04 21:20:03

If this is a former New Haven RS-3, I think it would have been geared for 80 mph. and equipped with a steam generator that likely did not work. So I'll take the steam generator theory for the E-8, or the fact that it was PC, and anything goes!

Posted by Henry Brown on 2024-01-05 06:17:45

And in a couple more weeks by April 1, this Shoreline train will become an Amtrak operation and I would guess the RS3 would return to commuter train or local freight service for PC.

Posted by John Barlow on 2024-01-06 09:00:12

Do you have photos of this train's consist? Some of the passenger cars don't look to be PC cars but I could be wrong. Thanks.

Posted by John Barlow on 2024-01-06 09:47:40

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