Genesee Valley Transportation Co. Inc. (GVT Rail System) has sold two historic ALCO RS-3 locomotives to tourist railroad Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway (SC&H).
Locomotives 4103 and 4118, former Delaware & Hudson units, were purchased from the Octoraro Railroad, rebuilt in the GVT South Scranton Shop and served GVT subsidiary Delaware-Lackawanna in general freight service. Recent acquisitions of additional motive power had relegated them to standby status.
SC&H required locomotives with additional tractive effort. “These RS-3s are a perfect fit, providing additional horsepower, ease of operation, and most important, returning the two vintage locomotives to trackage they formerly called home,” said SC&H President Hal Raven. ”We are delighted to be granted the stewardship of these two fine machines and look forward to their use on home rails.”
“Because of their historic nature, we would not sell these locomotives to just any operator,” said GVT Rail System Chairman David Monte Verde. “We feel the SC&H will give these locomotives a good home and maintain their historic status well into the future. They are in good hands.”
SC&H operates passenger trains over a scenic portion of the former D&H Adirondack Branch and is “anticipating a robust end of summer and fall excursion turnout.” Trains will operate through October with schedules available through its website.
GVT Rail System is a privately-owned Class II and Class III operator based out of Batavia, N.Y. Founded in 1985, the company has grown from a five-mile spur in greater Buffalo, N.Y., to a 318-mile network of five subsidiary railroads in two states. “During our 39 years, we’ve set an imprint as an industry-recognized leader in business development and friendly, customized service,” the company notes. “With locations across New York and Northeastern Pennsylvania, GVT’s fleet-footed, less-than-carload, 3T Truck-Train Transload Service allows any size of business to ship via the North American freight rail network. The GVT Rail team is always on the lookout for new opportunities to contribute to the economic renaissance of the communities and regions that we serve.”
