PC: Re: La Grange Plant GP-40 Orange C Engines

["Gary Farmer" <gary@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Chuck,
Outstanding! This is exactly the type of thing that only ex-employees can
bring to this group & the PCRRHS. I have never heard that explanation
before, but find it fascinating and thoroughly believable. It makes complete
sense! Thanks for sharing this valuable tidbit of history.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: "Charles J. French Jr." <PennCentral -AT- Taconic.Net>
To: <penn-central -AT- smellycat.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 7:40 PM
Subject: PC: La Grange Plant GP-40 Orange C Engines


> Hello Everyone,
>
> Being the issue of the "Orange C" YES it was Orange, not RED has
> surfaced again with the picture of the EMD GP-40 engines taken at the
> La Grange plant. I thought I would offer this bit of information. My
> intentions are not to turn this into a huge eMail debate. It is only
> to share information on the subject that I obtained over 37 years
> ago, so can take it for what it's worth.
>
> I had hired out on the Boston and Albany (B&A) Springfield Division
> in June 1969. One trip during that summer an assistant superintendent
> of the Springfield Division was riding the head end of our train. I
> personally asked him what was the significance of the "Orange C"was
> which happened to be on our lead locomotive that day. Without
> hesitation he told me it was to make the New Haven feel welcome into
> the Penn Central family. After all of these years and for all of the
> reasons I have heard for the "Orange C", I have never once doubted
> his explanation. I have heard several reasons for the "Orange C" but
> not once have I ever heard anyone mention the connection with the New
> Haven. After all, the PRR nor the NYC used the color Orange that I'm
> aware of, but the New Haven used it extensively!
>
> Now if we just stop and think about it for a minute, it all makes
> sense. The EMD GP-40 engines 3170 thru 3186 which had the "Orange C"
> were made in October 1968. The New Haven became part of the Penn
> Central on January 1, 1969. I'd also like to note, that New Haven
> engine and train crews Penn Central seniority date was November 1,
> 1968, not January 1, 1969 when the New Haven became part of the Penn
> Central. There had been much anticipation during 1968 about the New
> Haven becoming part of the Penn Central especially on the part of
> seniority. This is why the seniority date is different from the
> merger date. The other thing I find interesting is there was only one
> other locomotive with an "Orange C" that I'm aware of. It was a
> former New Haven engine no less renumbered with 5585. Now is that a
> coincidence or what? Only one other engine with the "Orange C"
> happens to have been a New Haven engine, not a PRR or NYC engine.
>
> After all of this, I have come to this conclusion. The "Orange C" was
> indeed Orange, not RED. It had nothing to do with the PRR nor the
> NYC. If anyone can convince me otherwise with some facts and not just
> speculation, I am listening.
>
> Hopefully this clears up some of this mystery,
>
> Chuck French
> Former Penn Central locomotive Fireman/Engineer
>
>
> On Feb 16, 2007, at 11:23 AM, bryand -AT- clay.k12.in.us wrote:
>
> > This would be a great shot to have available to buy !
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
> > [mailto:owner-penn-central@smellycat.com] On Behalf Of
> > penn-central-digest-owner -AT- mailhost.smellycat.com
> > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 5:11 AM
> > To: Don Bryan
> > Subject: Penn Central Digest V6 #77
> >
> > Penn Central Digest     Monday, February 12 2007     Volume 06 :
> > Number
> > 077
> >
> >
> >
> >  Subjects in this issue:
> >      PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >      RE: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >      RE: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 05:43:12 -0500
> > From: "Gary L" <h18w777 -AT- charter.net>
> > Subject: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >
> > Here is a link to a very nice EMD photo at La Grange of new GP40's
> > about
> > to
> > leave the plant.  Members of the PCModeler Yahoo list have already
> > seen
> > this
> > link.
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/espeef5/image/73789240/original
> >
> > Note a couple of interesting points.  First there are what appear
> > to be
> > traded in Southern Ry E7's back in the yard.  Second, the PC scheme
> > changes
> > from all white to "red C" three units back in the line.
> >
> > So very much has changed since this most interesting photo was taken.
> >
> > GL
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:06:23 +0000
> > From: "Steffan Forbes" <steffanf -AT- hotmail.com>
> > Subject: RE: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >
> > Sorry... 3070 should be 3170.
> >
> > - -G.B.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> From: "Steffan Forbes" <steffanf -AT- hotmail.com>
> >> Reply-To: penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
> >> To: penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
> >> Subject: RE: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >> Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:04:35 +0000
> >>
> >>
> >>  Nice picture.  However, those units with the different color hearald
> > that
> >> start 3 units back are the rare "white P - orange C" GP-40's.  These
> > were
> >> painted as an optional scheme as a nod to the ex-NYC,
> >> counteracting the
> >
> >> "red P - white C".  That first orange C unit is 3070... the very
> >> first
> > unit
> >> painted in this scheme.   That and the next 16 GP-40's in the line
> >> will
> > be
> >> the only GP-40's painted in this rare scheme (along with one ex-NH
> > RS-3).
> >> The photo was taken in late '68... likely October (build date of
> >> 10/68
> > on
> >> unit 3070).
> >>
> >> -Gregg B.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> From: "Gary L" <h18w777 -AT- charter.net>
> >>> Reply-To: penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
> >>> To: <penn-central -AT- smellycat.com>
> >>> Subject: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >>> Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 05:43:12 -0500
> >>>
> >>> Here is a link to a very nice EMD photo at La Grange of new GP40's
> > about
> >>> to leave the plant.  Members of the PCModeler Yahoo list have
> >>> already
> > seen
> >>> this link.
> >>>
> >>> http://www.pbase.com/espeef5/image/73789240/original
> >>>
> >>> Note a couple of interesting points.  First there are what appear to
> > be
> >>> traded in Southern Ry E7's back in the yard.  Second, the PC scheme
> >>> changes from all white to "red C" three units back in the line.
> >>>
> >>> So very much has changed since this most interesting photo was
> >>> taken.
> >>>
> >>> GL
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> _________________________________________________________________
> >> FREE online classifieds from Windows Live Expo - buy and sell with
> > people
> >> you know
> >> http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?
> >> href=http:
> > //expo.live.com?s_cid=Hotmail_tagline_12/06
> >>
> >>
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > Get in the mood for Valentine's Day. View photos, recipes and more on
> > your
> > Live.com page.
> > http://www.live.com/?addTemplate=ValentinesDay&ocid=T001MSN30A0701
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2007 16:04:35 +0000
> > From: "Steffan Forbes" <steffanf -AT- hotmail.com>
> > Subject: RE: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >
> >   Nice picture.  However, those units with the different color hearald
> > that
> > start 3 units back are the rare "white P - orange C" GP-40's.  These
> > were
> > painted as an optional scheme as a nod to the ex-NYC, counteracting
> > the
> > "red
> > P - white C".  That first orange C unit is 3070... the very first unit
> > painted in this scheme.   That and the next 16 GP-40's in the line
> > will
> > be
> > the only GP-40's painted in this rare scheme (along with one ex-NH
> > RS-3).
> > The photo was taken in late '68... likely October (build date of 10/68
> > on
> > unit 3070).
> >
> > - -Gregg B.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> From: "Gary L" <h18w777 -AT- charter.net>
> >> Reply-To: penn-central -AT- smellycat.com
> >> To: <penn-central -AT- smellycat.com>
> >> Subject: PC: Penn Central GP40/La Grange Photo Link
> >> Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2007 05:43:12 -0500
> >>
> >> Here is a link to a very nice EMD photo at La Grange of new GP40's
> > about to
> >> leave the plant.  Members of the PCModeler Yahoo list have already
> >> seen
> >
> >> this link.
> >>
> >> http://www.pbase.com/espeef5/image/73789240/original
> >>
> >> Note a couple of interesting points.  First there are what appear
> >> to be
> >
> >> traded in Southern Ry E7's back in the yard.  Second, the PC scheme
> > changes
> >> from all white to "red C" three units back in the line.
> >>
> >> So very much has changed since this most interesting photo was taken.
> >>
> >> GL
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > FREE online classifieds from Windows Live Expo - buy and sell with
> > people
> > you know
> > http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwex0010000001msn/direct/01/?
> > href=http:/
> > /expo.live.com?s_cid=Hotmail_tagline_12/06
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> > End of Penn Central Digest V6 #77
> > *********************************
> >
> >
> > .
> >
> >
>
>
> Chuck
>
> PennCentral -AT- Taconic.Net
>
>
>
>