This is a collection of New York Central diesel locomotive images I took in the 1950s, along with several taken by my brother, David V. Leonard, and my father, Dr. R. D. Leonard. My views were captured during the "lightning-stripe" era of NYC livery. I took no NYC photos showing the paint scheme (sometimes called the "cigar band" style) that replaced this classic motif, although my brother and my father captured a few views.
This collection is of modest size, but it covers the major classes of New York Central diesel power — from EMD yard switchers to E-8 passenger units, plus ALCo road switchers and the rare Baldwin "baby face" freight units. Of course, the ubiquitous EMD GP-7 is well represented. And I threw in some Detroit River Tunnel electrics for good measure.
Click on the selections below to bring up the full size image, with commentary. You can also page through the collection. Since I have never been a diesel fan my notes are not extensive. However, I hope this collection will interest New York Central devotees.
NYC 615
EMD SW-1
|
NYC 1018
ALCo FA
|
NYC 1018 (4 Units)
ALCo FA
|
NYC 1101 (3 Units)
ALCo FA-2
|
NYC 1782 (3 units)
EMD F-7
|
NYC 1802 (4 units)
EMD F-7
|
4-Unit Freight
EMD F-7
|
NYC 3035
EMD GP-40
|
NYC 3801-3800
Baldwin DR-4-4-1500
|
NYC 4014
EMD E-7
|
NYC 4031
EMD E-7
|
NYC 4053
EMD E-8
|
NYC 4059
EMD E-8
|
NYC 4076
EMD E-8
|
NYC 4088
EMD E-8
|
NYC 5766
EMD GP-7
|
NYC 5766
EMD GP-7
|
NYC 5780
EMD GP-7
|
NYC 5796
EMD GP-7
|
NYC 8107
ALCo RS-1
|
NYC 8107
ALCo RS-1
|
NYC 8222, 8318
ALCo RS-2, RS-3
|
NYC 8258
ALCo RS-3
|
NYC 8259
ALCo RS-3
|
P&E 5615, 5624
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 5617, 5622
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 5620
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 5621-20-22
EMD GP-7
|
P&E Train 12
Corn Belt Special
|
P&E 5625 on Train 11
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 5625 on Train 11
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 5625 on Train 11
EMD GP-7
|
P&E 8907
EMD SW-7
|
NYC 163
R-1 B+B Electric
|
NYC 161
R-1 B+B Electric
|
NYC 304-305
R-2 C+C Electric
|

|