NYO&W #105

At 10:00 AM, Monday, September 8th, 1997 one of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway's first diesel locomotive's again ran on rails in New York State. Earlier that morning, Salt Lake, Garfield & Western locomotive D.S. 1, sitting near the former D&H/NYC station in Lake Placid, N.Y., lost an identity it had carried for approximately 46 years after leaving the O&W. In place of the S.L. G. & W. initials and number, it received Adirondack Scenic Railroad identification and, if all goes well, it will eventually return to the maroon, black and silver of its earliest years. Although rosters have Identified General electric 44 tonner, D.S. 1 as originally being O&W's 101, the number on the builders plate is that of the 105. However no one suggested that the engine should be returned to Utah! Adirondack Railroad Executive Director and General Manager Doug Ellison said that since various parts were swapped between the two units while they were in service on the S.L. G. & W., it was possible that the plates might have been switched.

Dave Link, President of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation, parent of ASRR, said at a press conference that morning that the locomotive would be used to power a work train rehabilitating the track south of Lake Placid as the ASRR now works from both ends to restore the entire route. At some point a passenger excursion service between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake will be instituted. At the present time then, the 101 is isolated to the extreme northern end of the ASRR.

When the builder's plate was removed from the 101, a rectangular patch of maroon paint was revealed. Is this the original maroon applied by GE in 1941? Small samples were removed and sent to O&W color expert Paul Lubliner for his opinion. While in transit on a flat bed trailer, several of the locomotive's windows were broken but Ellison did not think it would be very difficult to replace them. Additional parts from the other ex-O&W 44 tonner are expected. Mr. Don Hogle of the S.L.G. & W. not only donated the locomotive to ASRR but was very generous in supplying labor, new batteries, extra parts and a tank of fuel.

The return of 101 ( or 105 as the case may prove), is certainly one of the most exciting events in the preservation of O &W history. The restoration of the Munnsville Depot, the establishment of a Middletown Archives Facility, the Atlanta's Chapter's effort with the 104, Joe Petaccio's F unit and the four-wheel caboose rebuilding at Arkville show the "Old Woman" to be a lady of surprising vitality 40 years after abandonment. Robert E. Mohowski