| D&H C420 412 at Binghamton, New York, June 15, 1977, photo by Jerry Lundeen, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in December 1964 as Lehigh Valley C420 412 (c/n 3385-09), it was acquired by the D&H in 1976, classed as ARS-20, sold in 1987. The following is from Richard Steinbrenner's Alco history book, "A Centennial Remembrance": In 1964 the C420 had its best production year, with a total of 45 units built. The L&N received its first six units in June, followed by the LV in October with 12. There appears to be an interesting link between the two orders. The L&N's new paint scheme applied to its C420's was gray and yellow. It has been said that a significant supply of paint remained at Schenectady, perhaps in anticipation of a quick follow-on order from L&N. The LV's C420's emerged from the Schenectady paint shop in a not-so-coincidental high impact gray and yellow "Yellowjacket" scheme. Silver trucks were added to the overall effect. Both railroads traded in FA/FB's on their orders; several of the L&N units were FA-1/FB-1's purchased in 1961 from the Lehigh & New England after its railroad operations were abandon. The L&N did later acquire another 10 C420's. The C420 was unveiled at a press conference staged in Chicago for industry executives on January 29, 1963. Alco's main theme was reduced operating costs (in Alco's estimation, by 44%), and Alco also offered liberal allowances on trade-in's. |