I remember one time the whole car filled up with blue black exhaust smoke. Didn't know if I would make it home that night. Those diesels were supposed to use the 3rd rail for power in GCT and switch to diesel... but outside the tunnel!
They served the New Haven & the northeast foe a long & proud time. Great engines. I think they were built in the early 40's & still runnin service in 2001, Still runnin lines in museums to this day,, what an engine & what a RR The New Haven was,
@free2rtmey Thanks for the question,free2rtmey, the FL-9 diesels would not be operating in diesel mode leaving Grand Central since Grand Central has third rails.Once it leaves third rail territory, it would be switched to diesel mode.
@free2rtmey they were, you can hear the engine rev up.... there usually not suppose to be in diesel mode, but the FL-9s had faulty electric systems in there later years
PUNISHERWarzone87 You too, eh? LOL. I saw that movie long before I knew what an FL-9 was, and what a rich history it had. Recently I dug into the history of that particular unit (PC 5048), and apparently it ended up as MNCR 2018....and sadly it seems to be rusting out its final days as a parts unit for Adirondack Railway. A pity of a fate for a classic engine.
That sound was definitely 567's and not blowers. But the hogger wisely kept the rpm's down to keep the smoke to a minimum. I have a Pentrex video of a ride aboard the cab of an Amtrak FL-9 going into Grand Central and they kept the diesel in idle only until the train reached the outer part of the platforms at GCT even though it was operating on electricity. I was told this was because the air compressors don't work in electric mode so the diesel has to stay on to charge the air.
If you'd like to ride behind FL9s in the old NH paint, come to the Railroad Museum of New England/ Naugatuck Railroad and take a ride with us. We operate the 2019 regularly and are also home to 2002 and MetroNorth 2033.
In the February 2013 issue if Trains there is a photo of an FL-9 in Canada,on a dinner train,that model,was last used in Ohio,and before that was on Amtrak,part of their mini fleet.
I remember being pulled out of GCT by one in diesel mode...lots of fumes in the tunnel leading out to Park Ave and fresh air at 96th street. Back in 1957-1960, when these units were being delivered to the New Haven, the New York Central looked at them but never ordered any. They realized the dual-mode technology was not quite ready. Instead, they ran the electric box cab locos to Croton, and switched them to diesels there.
The Long Island Railroad,had 3 complementary FL-9's they were used to see if the new type of dual mode could be on their Port Jefferson trains,from Penn-sta,to Port Jeff.The pilot program was a success,and then the LIRR ordered,from stainless steel schenectady built the DE,and DM 30 a/c.now in use on the LIRR,the 3 pilot models I understand were cut up for scrapp.The MTA,only cares about money.!happy railroading,Toot,toot.!
i would love to see the remaining FL-9's donated to the various museums across the country,to learn about this eunique locomotive,that even New Jersey Transit,ordered a new model of dual mode,from Bombardier,that utilizes a pantograph,and a diesel engine,inside the locomotive car body.
Branford Hobbies has an FL-9 in ho-scale but they cost $140.00and worth every cent,and they usually send them by mail.also they may if ordered,have soundtraxx,sound and when the loco's move sounds just like the real thing.
I first found out about the FL-9's while a student at the linden HIll school,returning from home visits,I would talk at length,with the conductor,and they would tell me about these unique loco'c and they would give me information,and memorize it,all.
Some FL-9;s due to their age were not capableof operating in electric mode,even after a comprehensive rebuilding,when Morrison-Knudsen rebuilt some of the FL-9's they were then capable of operating the way they were designed to.either mode;A few of them still survive,today,they also make them in hO-scale,I have 3,and they are gorgeous and worth every penny.
I remember this as if it was yesterday....Was so excited to take the train into Grand Central when I was a kid....Too bad they covered up the NH paint scheme in favor of the bland metro north paint scheme....
I remember one time the whole car filled up with blue black exhaust smoke. Didn't know if I would make it home that night. Those diesels were supposed to use the 3rd rail for power in GCT and switch to diesel... but outside the tunnel!
Miss the FL9s especially when they used the Hancock air whistle.Remember hearing them when they used to pass by my house.
They served the New Haven & the northeast foe a long & proud time. Great engines. I think they were built in the early 40's & still runnin service in 2001, Still runnin lines in museums to this day,, what an engine & what a RR The New Haven was,
Mid to late 50s
Very coo
@free2rtmey Thanks for the question,free2rtmey, the FL-9 diesels would not be operating in diesel mode leaving Grand Central since Grand Central has third rails.Once it leaves third rail territory, it would be switched to diesel mode.
This is always the way I understood it....Grand central couldn't handle all the diesel fumes, which is why the FL9s ran on electric inside
Oh the smell down there! 😷
@free2rtmey they were, you can hear the engine rev up.... there usually not suppose to be in diesel mode, but the FL-9s had faulty electric systems in there later years
PUNISHERWarzone87 You too, eh? LOL. I saw that movie long before I knew what an FL-9 was, and what a rich history it had.
Recently I dug into the history of that particular unit (PC 5048), and apparently it ended up as MNCR 2018....and sadly it seems to be rusting out its final days as a parts unit for Adirondack Railway. A pity of a fate for a classic engine.
That sound was definitely 567's and not blowers. But the hogger wisely kept the rpm's down to keep the smoke to a minimum. I have a Pentrex video of a ride aboard the cab of an Amtrak FL-9 going into Grand Central and they kept the diesel in idle only until the train reached the outer part of the platforms at GCT even though it was operating on electricity. I was told this was because the air compressors don't work in electric mode so the diesel has to stay on to charge the air.
If you'd like to ride behind FL9s in the old NH paint, come to the Railroad Museum of New England/ Naugatuck Railroad and take a ride with us. We operate the 2019 regularly and are also home to 2002 and MetroNorth 2033.
where is the museum located? Do you have a website, or brochure??
In the February 2013 issue if Trains there is a photo of an FL-9 in Canada,on a dinner train,that model,was last used in Ohio,and before that was on Amtrak,part of their mini fleet.
I remember seeing these in Grand Central, Stamford, and Darien routinely. Now they are in rail museums...man that makes me feel old.
They were in diesel mode, the electric mode did not work on the FL-9's for the majority of their operating life.
I remember being pulled out of GCT by one in diesel mode...lots of fumes in the tunnel leading out to Park Ave and fresh air at 96th street. Back in 1957-1960, when these units were being delivered to the New Haven, the New York Central looked at them but never ordered any. They realized the dual-mode technology was not quite ready. Instead, they ran the electric box cab locos to Croton, and switched them to diesels there.
were thosse FL9's in diesel mode at the time of departure?
The Long Island Railroad,had 3 complementary FL-9's they were used to see if the new type of dual mode could be on their Port Jefferson trains,from Penn-sta,to Port Jeff.The pilot program was a success,and then the LIRR ordered,from stainless steel schenectady built the DE,and DM 30 a/c.now in use on the LIRR,the 3 pilot models I understand were cut up for scrapp.The MTA,only cares about money.!happy railroading,Toot,toot.!
i would love to see the remaining FL-9's donated to the various museums across the country,to learn about this eunique locomotive,that even New Jersey Transit,ordered a new model of dual mode,from Bombardier,that utilizes a pantograph,and a diesel engine,inside the locomotive car body.
Reminds me of Superman (1978). The cop following Otis into the tunnels.
This was earlier in the year before 9/11.
Branford Hobbies has an FL-9 in ho-scale but they cost $140.00and worth every cent,and they usually send them by mail.also they may if ordered,have soundtraxx,sound and when the loco's move sounds just like the real thing.
I first found out about the FL-9's while a student at the linden HIll school,returning from home visits,I would talk at length,with the conductor,and they would tell me about these unique loco'c and they would give me information,and memorize it,all.
Super diesel
Some FL-9;s due to their age were not capableof operating in electric mode,even after a comprehensive rebuilding,when Morrison-Knudsen rebuilt some of the FL-9's they were then capable of operating the way they were designed to.either mode;A few of them still survive,today,they also make them in hO-scale,I have 3,and they are gorgeous and worth every penny.
This includes the red ones called the Connecticut State coaches
i know that but metro north from what i understand had FL9's in diesel mode in their later years like this due to the unreliable third rail capability
The FL-9 are now museum locomotives.They have a few places that sell them in HO-scale,be prepared to pay $140.00but worth every cent.
I remember this as if it was yesterday....Was so excited to take the train into Grand Central when I was a kid....Too bad they covered up the NH paint scheme in favor of the bland metro north paint scheme....
why did i here and unturbod emd throteling up as they left the station
Grand Central, on the lower lvl. Had/has a loop that the locos could use to run around. The loop is very tight, min speed.
@biganthony1986 no they won't
Miss those FL9's. Will they rebuild new ones?
I remember the F3 AA Sets
Most times. they (fl9) would start diesels just after leaving the 5th ave tunnel.
Great catch and video quality!
I hope you all will repaint it. MN colors really don't do. And no FL9 was ever bought by MN. Mc G. Colors do just.
where do you get them from