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The Lehigh and Hudson River Diesel Roster

The Lehigh and Hudson River diesel roster was made up of one thing, Alcos. While the L&HR never featured a very large roster it became famous for its all-Alco fleet and some remain in operation or preserved today, although I don't think any are preserved (yet anyway) in their original colors. For a complete/all-time Lehigh and Hudson River diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving L&HR diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in L&HR colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of L&HR heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of L&HR heritage that are not in L&HR colors).

The Lehigh and Hudson River Railway (reporting marks, L&HR) was the smallest of the many anthracite railroads that once proliferated the Northeast like the Reading Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad, Erie Railroad, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Lehigh & New England Railroad, and others. Located right along the intersecting corners of eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey and southern New York the L&HR had major connections with the CNJ; Lehigh Valley; Pennsylvania Railroad; Erie; New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway; and Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.

In the early 1970s after teetering on the brink of bankruptcy for a number of years the L&HR finally succumbed, following a path of most of the other railroads in New England, and was forced into Conrail in 1976. Because of the L&HR’s few overall miles and system that was considered more circuitous than other surrounding lines Conrail elected to abandon most of the former Lehigh and Hudson River Railway soon after it began operations. Today, virtually nothing remains of this famous little anthracite carrier.

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

· Alco RS-3 #10: In operation on shortline Battenkill Railroad as #605.

· Alco RS-3 #13: Preserved at the Nevada Northern Railway awaiting a full restoration.

· Alco C420 #22: In operation on shortline Arkansas & Missouri as #50.

· Alco C420 #23: In operation on shortline Arkansas & Missouri as #52.

· Alco C420 #24: In operation on shortline Arkansas & Missouri as #54.

· Alco C420 #25: In operation on shortline Arkansas & Missouri as #56.

· Alco C420 #26: In operation and on lease to shortline Iowa Northwestern as #632 (although the railroad is currently providing no freight service).

· Alco C420 #27: In operation on shortline Louisville New Albany & Corydon as #850.

· Alco C420 #29: In operation on shortline Arkansas & Missouri as #58.

It is actually amazing that so many Alcos from the L&HR fleet still survive, many of which remain in operation on freight railroads (a testament to the how toughly built Alcos were).

For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic FMs, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.

You may also want to consider the book Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the title implies the book looks at the history and development of the diesel locomotives, covering 200 pages, from its earliest beginnings to the newest designs and models operated today. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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