Penn Central FL9 5043

Penn Central inherited a nearly intact fleet of 60 EMD FL9s from the financially stressed New Haven Railroad, and many of these beautiful cab units had become bedraggled-looking beasts by the time of transfer. Soon, however, new paint in two new PC schemes freshened the FL9's exteriors. While few railfans would consider this an aesthetic improvement over the classic McGuinness-era NH style, at least the paint was fresher.

Here in early April, 1971, we see two FL9s on the point of a New York-bound consist of former New Haven cars at Rye, New York; the first unit in PC's "Midnight Black" paint scheme, the second in Yellow/Blue. If you look carefully, you'll see a "50 MPH" speed limit sign on the adjacent Connecticut Turnpike, a detail firmly dating this photo in the distant past.

PC 5043

• EMD FL9
• Builder# 21988
• Delivered to NYNH&H as Hew Haven 2043 10/60
• PC Maintenance base Hartford CT