LACKAWANNA TERMINAL

LOCOMOTIVE ROSTER

Compiled by the
Lackawanna Terminal Technical & Historical Society
Paul Tupaczewski, President
Unless otherwise specified, all locomotives were painted and lettered by
Joe Kopin of Kopin Kar Shops
Lackawanna Terminal Logo designed by Tom Markert

    The Lackawanna Terminal Railway's early motive power requirements make it a Mecca for first generation locomotive enthusiasts. Part of the original sales agreement with Conrail provided for the transfer of forty eight locomotives. The LT was lucky enough to be allowed a pick of excess Conrail motive power when it first started off in 1976. They choose wisely and ex-Lackawanna power was a favorite choice although the motive power roster reflects the heritage of  several Conrail predecessor railroads. When the railroad started, it had lured over the best diesel mechanics from the former Erie Lackawanna Railway to support its new roster. These skilled mechanics have kept the "vintage" motive power fleet in tip-top shape.

    The Lackawanna Terminal has always had a frugal motive power policy, but it has proved to be a good one. Well maintained F-7's and GP-7's were the first to be taken as well as some of the GP-35's which had the obsolete "567" prime movers and troublesome turbochargers and therefore were not in Conrail's long-range plans. Ex-Penn Central and Reading SW-1500's and S-4s were next. Some ex-Lackawanna C-424's and U-25B's were added to the growing list of engines.

    To handle heavy freights over the steep grades in the Pocono mountains in eastern Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley C-628s and PC C630s were purchased at modest cost. They proved to be strong pullers if somewhat unreliable at first. These engines, as all newly acquired power, went through the LT shops in Scranton for mechanical work to ensure their reliability on the mountainous eastern portion of the railroad. The LT shops, with the help of a large supply of Alco parts turned these monsters into good performers until more modern power could be acquired.

        As tonnage and train frequency increased, the LT purchased used GP-40 locomotives to power their through container and piggy back trains converting them to more modern standards with Dash-2 electronics. Six axle ex-Burlington Northern and Southern Pacific SD-45's and ex-Erie-Lackawanna U33Cs, were later purchased to fill a growing need for high horsepower locomotives.

Lackawanna Terminal Motive Power Roster

Yard and Industrial Switchers:

LT's switcher roster can be most commonly seen switching the yards around the system, and running short-distance locals (such as the Depew Turn that serves the National Chemical and Refining plant just east of Buffalo).

ALCO S-2 Series 500

    Built for the Pennsylvania railroad and one of only thirteen that made it to Conrail, the Lackawanna Terminal picked up these mini powerhouses for their ability to switch long cuts of cars by themselves.

EMD SW-9 Series 250-259

    Constructed by EMD for the Lackawanna Railroad, these units were former EL 446-455. These 1200 hp. units are true workhorses, and are well into their fourth decade of service. They are identifiable as former EL units by their retrofitted walkway handrails. The LT shop also went and added MU capability to these units to allow them to work in tandem in yard switching operations. Another shot of SW-9 256 as it trundles a short freight toward Stradivarius Steel. in Corning NY.

EMD SW1500 Series 150-159

    These units were constructed for the Reading Railroad in 1969 as their 2761-2770. These units were in great condition when transferred to the LT, and were a steal at the price the railroad paid for them. They, like the SW-9's, are also used in yard switching and local freights, but the Flexicoil trucks allow the units to get out in road service as well, if needed. The units are in such high demand on the railroad that some still run around in their Conrail paint with LT markings painted on LT 150. Painted and lettered by Tom Markert

Light Road Power:

    The true workhorses of the Lackawanna Terminal, these units handle any task that's thrown at them. From way freights to hotshot freights, these all-purpose units have the highest availability of any LT motive power, and for good reason. Their all around usefulness demands they be serviceable most of the time.

Alco RS3 Series 1600-1607

    Built for the Erie Railroad in the 1950's, these units were former Erie/EL 1009/1012/1014/1020/1021/1025/1028. After a heavy rebuilding by the LT's Scranton Shops, these units are now most commonly seen in all forms of drag service. Most often, these units are seen working the coal modification plant and power plants along the line. Their big GE traction motors give these units more pull than the EMD GP-9, and crews appreciate them for their tractive effort.

EMD GP-9 Series 1750-1759

    The all-round "champs" of the fleet, these units were built for the Pennsylvania Railroad (numbers 7131/7133/7220/7227/7235/7236/7240/7242/7251/7258). Purchased by the PRR for use on hotshot freights, these units still see service on LT freights and even manage to get onto some hotshots occasionally. These units are most commonly seen on some of the railroad's long-distance locals.

Heavy Mainline Power:

    The most visible of all motive power on the LT are the mainline units that can be found on the point of any major Lackawanna Terminal freight. Note that research is still continuing on the LT mainline power fleet, and as such, not all units are listed here yet.

Alco C424 Series 2400-2414 - Painted and Lettered by Tom Markert.

    Constructed for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad in 1964 as their 2401-2415, these units introduced the Century line to the EL. These also introduced the Century line to the Lackawanna Terminal. Their massive pulling power finds these units most often on the point of coal drags and long, low priority freights. Another angle of C424 number 2400 as it leads a LT unit coal train westbound toward the coal processing plant at Groveland, NY.

EMD GP-35 Series 2550-2575

    Originally purchased by the EL in 1965, these units (ex-EL 2551-2569) have had their troublesome turbochargers replaced with modern Dash 2 style turbos, making them some of the most reliable units in the LT fleet. Along with the GP40s, these units are preferred for high speed hotshot piggyback trains. In this picture GP-35 2461 leads her sister and a mainline local eastward toward the Lackawanna Terminal yard in Binghamton, NY.

EMD GP-40 Series 3000-3019 - Painted and Lettered by Tom Markert

    Built for the News York Central as their 3000-3019, these units continue their long tradition of being on the point of hotshot trains.

GE U33C Series 3307-3315

    Purchased as an afterthought, these units (part of a second batch of U33Cs purchased by the Erie Lackawanna Railroad) didn't fit into Conrail's operating scheme, and were sold at bargain basement prices. Needing the extra power, the units have not yet had a chance for a full LT repaint, and all wear their EL paint with LT markings added.

    There are many more engines yet to be included in this motive power revue. More photos are coming as the Society continues to document to growing LT roster. Stop by soon as the LTT&HS continues to chronicle the variety and color of the Lackawanna Terminal Railway's motive power.