My New USA Trains Santa Fe ALCO PA-1 #51B

Not the most prototypical consist, I know... This year for my birthday, I received a USA Trains ALCO PA-1. This particular one is modeled after Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe the rearward facing A-unit that ran on the debut trio back in 1946. Before her service on the Santa Fe, 51B, along with 51L and 51A, were painted in ALCO demonstrator colors, and operated on Leigh Valley trackage back east for proving runs right after being assembled in ALCO&Schenectady Plant. Once ALCO finished running them as demo-units, they sent them to Los Angeles in the classic warbonnet paint scheme for an unveiling ceremony. Later on in her career with Santa Fe, the real was also unfortunately part of the EMD prime mover transplant attempt to see if an EMD 567C could work successfully in the place of the troublesome, problem-prone ALCO 244-16. The test was a huge flop, and the once-famous trio was the first in line for scrapping at EMD&La Grange Plant in 1969. Taken by Alex O&on December 15th, 2012. All content is © copyright 2012 Alex O&Unauthorized reproduction will result in reporting.