Arcade & Attica Railroad: Changing Times For The Centercabs

On July 14th, 2023, Timeless Rail Expeditions hosted a photo charter on the Arcade & Attica Railroad in western New York state. The A&A is widely known for being the only steam tourist operation in New York State, with signature motive power being 2-8-0 #18, currently out of service undergoing a rebuild. The event starred two of the railroad's General Electric centercab diesel locomotives, which are a vital piece of the A&A’s history that make the 16-mile shortline all the more unique. For 81 years, freight duties at the railroad have been handled by these small, yet resilient locomotives. Decked out in the classic orange and black colors of the A&A, they have plenty of grit and personality, making them a treat to see in operation. As freight loads continue to increase however, the locomotives have slowly begun to show more and more wear. As a result, Alco RS-3m #406 was purchased from the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad in order to handle the heavy tonnage, soon to become Arcade & Attica #114. The introduction of a larger locomotive results in the centercabs bowing out from freight service.

The charter served as a fitting conclusion to the era of the centercabs on the A&A, with both 65-tonner #112 and 80-tonner #113 putting on a fabulous show over the entire line between Arcade and North Java, NY. The locomotives were seen in pusher service, doubleheading and side by side on both freight trains and mixed trains. A grand time was had by a great group of attendees and train crews alike. With #114 soon entering service, we now patiently await the next historic milestone for the Arcade & Attica, the return of steam!

#112 was built by GE in 1945 at their plant in Erie, Pennsylvania for use in the US Navy. Later she spent time in Colorado, serving at the Colorado Springs Department of Public Utilities, before being acquired by the Arcade & Attica in 1988. She has been used frequently in freight and passenger service on the railroad ever since.

#113 was built in 1959 at GE's Erie plant, and operated at the Consolidated Edison plant on Staten Island, NY before arriving at the A&A in 2015.

Enjoy!