The Adirondack Railway Preservation Society has acquired a former New York Central C-430 locomotive from the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad. 

WNY&P 430 was built in 1967 as NYC 2050. It later worked for Penn Central, Conrail, and the New York, Susquehanna & Western before ending up on the WNY&P. The Adirondack operates on 100 miles of former NYC trackage, meaning it will be right at home.

“We’re excited to see the 430 go to a great home. It’s neat to see the former NYC engine head to its old stomping ground and continue to operate. We’re glad we could find a way to make it happen,” said Bob Babcock, CEO of the Livonia Avon & Lakeville family of railroads, which includes the WNY&P.

“We are excited about the opportunity to acquire this high-horsepower locomotive at a time when we have begun to operate longer trains over a longer distance. We deeply thank Mr. Babcock and the WNY&P Railroad for making this possible. It is indeed a ‘game changer,’ and it is even more exciting to have this former New York Central ALCO back on its home rails,” said Frank Kobliski, President of ARPS and its subsidiary Adirondack Railroad.

The Adirondack Railroad hopes to have the locomotive in service before summer. —Justin Franz