by Railfan & Railroad staff
Two former Delaware & Hudson Alco RS-3s will soon have a new home on a short line in the southern Adirondack region of New York. Genesee Valley Transportation announced today the sale of two units, Delaware-Lackawanna 4103 and 4118, to Saratoga, Corinth & Hudson Railway. Both built in 1952, the locomotives were purchased second-hand from the Octoraro Railroad, rebuilt by GVT at their South Scranton Shop, and served on Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad in general freight service based out of Scranton, Pa. Instead of the usual GVT corporate paint scheme of white and gray, the RS-3s were painted black with yellow safety stripes and lettered in a way to represent their as-built appearance on D&H. According to the railroad, recent acquisitions of additional motive power had relegated these locomotives to standby status.
Launched in 2022, Saratoga Corinth & Hudson currently operates passenger trains over a scenic portion of the former D&H Adirondack Branch. With the growing success of the new tourist attraction under the leadership of their president Hal Raven, heavier locomotives with additional pulling power were needed. The RS-3s are a perfect fit providing additional horsepower, ease of operation, and most importantly returning the two vintage locomotives to track which they formerly called home. “Because of their historic nature, we would not sell these locomotives to just any operator,” said David Monte Verde, chairman of GVT Rail System, “We feel SC&H will give these locomotives a good home and maintain their historic status well into the future. They are in good hands.”
ABOVE: Delaware-Lackawanna Alco RS-3 4108 at Scranton, Pa., July 2005. This unit, along with sistet 4118, were originally built for Delaware & Hudson in 1952. —Otto M. Vondak
“We are delighted to be granted the stewardship of these two fine machines and look forward to their use on home rails,” said SC&H president Hal Raven. The railroad is no stranger to Alco power, currently home to Alco S-1 5 — the former shop switcher from the American Locomotive plant in Schenectady, N.Y. — and 3021, a former U.S. Army S-2 currently painted as a D&H unit. With a full schedule of events through the end of the year, the railroad is expecting robust attendance for the remainder of summer and into the fall season. All trains depart from Corinth, just minutes from Saratoga Springs, and schedules are available through their website. No timetable has been set for the delivery of 4103 and 4118, though they are expected to arrive on SC&H in time for the busy fall foliage season ahead.
Founded in 1985, Genesee Valley Transportation operates a 318-mile network of five subsidiary railroads in New York and Pennsylvania. Despite the builder ending domestic diesel production in 1969, GVT remains one the largest operators of Alco diesels in regular revenue service in America.
