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Description
75 years ago, the Alco Locomotive Works started producing their famous "PAs." They were their answer to the Electro Motive Devision's famous FTs, F3s, F7s, and F9s and the Baldwin Locomotive Works's Sharknose Diesels, made so due to the fact they wanted to distinguish their Diesels from Alco's and EMD's visually. These were used by every major railroad in the United States until 1978, when they left for Mexico for use until 1981. A few are still around today. Here the prototype PA, 8375, and booster unit are seen in the yard in 1946. Her orange paintwork and polished headlight lense glisten in the late 1940s sunshine. The Denver, Rio Grande, & Western used these during the first years of the California Zephyr, as they were interested in the high tractive effort of the big Alcos. However, these were soon withdrawn for modifications and sent to be used in freight service due to problems with the generators and turbo charging equipment due to rushed construction in New York. The DRG&W would run the California Zephyr until 1983, or at least their portion of it, until Amtrak took the service over.

Description
75 years ago, the Alco Locomotive Works started producing their famous "PAs." They were their answer to the Electro Motive Devision's famous FTs, F3s, F7s, and F9s and the Baldwin Locomotive Works's Sharknose Diesels, made so due to the fact they wanted to distinguish their Diesels from Alco's and EMD's visually. These were used by every major railroad in the United States until 1978, when they left for Mexico for use until 1981. A few are still around today. Here the prototype PA, 8375, and booster unit are seen in the yard in 1946. Her orange paintwork and polished headlight lense glisten in the late 1940s sunshine. The Denver, Rio Grande, & Western used these during the first years of the California Zephyr, as they were interested in the high tractive effort of the big Alcos. However, these were soon withdrawn for modifications and sent to be used in freight service due to problems with the generators and turbo charging equipment due to rushed construction in New York. The DRG&W would run the California Zephyr until 1983, or at least their portion of it, until Amtrak took the service over.