By M.T.Burkhart

SECAUCUS, N.J. – Earlier this month, New Jersey Transit placed its latest heritage locomotive into revenue service – GP40PH-2 4101, which has been painted in New Jersey Department of Transportation colors. Locomotive 4101 was one of the original 13 steam heat-equipped passenger locomotives operated by the Central Railroad of New Jersey, according to NJ Transit. It wore the Department of Transportation scheme from about 1979 until the commuter agency created its own identity in the early 1980s. Originally classified as a GP40P, it and its stablemates were rebuilt with head-end power by Conrail in the early 1990s.

“The 4101 will serve NJ Transit customers for years to come, and as our Rail Operations team looks forward to 2023 and its 40th anniversary, we dedicate 4101 to the men and women who have made it possible,” the commuter agency said.

ABOVE: New Jersey Transit GP40PH-2 4101 leads Pascack Valley Line Train 2111 at Secaucus Junction on November 12, 2022. Photo by M.T.Burkhart.

While the locomotive was unveiled to NJ Transit employees and the media in October, it made its first trip in its “Bluebird” scheme on November 4. Since then, it has been working trains based out of Hoboken. The 4101 is the fourth NJ Transit heritage scheme locomotive, joining sister 4109 in Central Railroad of New Jersey colors; ALP45-DP dual-mode 4519 wrapped for Erie Lackawanna; and ALP46A electric 4636 wrapped for the Pennsylvania Railroad.