GE 25 tonners

[MADDOG]

HI Folks
maybe some of you former LIRR folks can help me set the record straight.
In John Scala's book "Diesels of the Sunrise Trail", he only shows #398 & #399, NO #397.
I have been finding conflicting information regarding either the Construction Numbers or Serial Numbers of these 3 units.
The reason for this is that recently a GE manual for the GS1 "allegedly" from the LIRR was auctioned on EBAY and was donated to to Oyster Bay RR Museum.
Th front cover shows s/n #'s 33030 and 33373.
What we know is that
Oyster Bay RR Museum (OBRM) has #398/397 and the RR Museum of LI (RMLI) has #399.
According to Scala and every other source
#398 s/n #33303 was built for the LIRR
#399 s/n #33375 was built for the LIRR

Since this GE Manual shows both #33030 and we know it is #398, then s/n #33373 should be #397, which means it should have been built for the LIRR.
My research shows that (#397) s/n 33373 was not built for the LIRR but for the Lone Star Cement company yet other sources show it being built for the National Lead Company as
s/n #32628, yet it was built in 8/58 like #399.
I have gooten help for Dave Keller, Steve Lynch and Dave Morrison but now I am more confused with all the conflicting information. Can someone shed any more light on this subject?
Thank you
MADDOG

[kro52]

Greetings,
The 397 was purchased in the 1980's from LILCO in Island Park. The 398,399 were purchased new in 1958.
KRO52

[nyandw]

Morris Park #397 Sightings 1987-1989 MADDOG: Was it built in 8/58 like #399, as #398 was built 5/1958 serial #33030. (Perhaps the issue?) I have: #397 Built: 3/1956 serial #32628 for: Natl. Lead Co. of NJ

[MADDOG]

Morris Park #397 Sightings 1987-1989 MADDOG: Was it built in 8/58 like #399, as #398 was built 5/1958 serial #33030. (Perhaps the issue?) I have: #397 Built: 3/1956 serial #32628 for: Natl. Lead Co. of NJ

Hi all-
with help from many sources and crawling over the hood of #397 during this past Saturdays rain, I believe that we have found the issue with the incorrect serial numbers and wrong units being identified as LIRR #397.

Using a color photo from Aarts-Archives of the ex-LILCO GE 25 ton switcher which is serial number 32628, we were able to find the remains of the hood mounted bell.
Now, there is a high probability that this ex-LILCO Loco left LI to Naporano Steel before it was purchased by the LIRR but we have no concrete proof.

So the GE/LIRR manual has serial numbers 33030+33373.We believe that this was a simple misprint.
We have ascertained the following
serial number 32628 is LIRR #397
serial number 33030 is LIRR #398
serial number 33375 is LIRR #399

Serial Number 33373 was a GE 25 tonner built for Lone Star Cement in TX
Serial Number 33374 was one of two GE 25 ton export units shipped to SOMISA in Argentina-April 1960.
Serial Number 33372 was one of two GE 25 ton export units shipped to SOMISA in Argentina-April 1960.
Thanks to Dave Keller/Steve Lynch/Art Huneke/Dave Morrison and Craig from the website The Diesel Shop US, who maintains this info.
And thanks to George Schlicter of the OBRM for donating this manual to the Museum
MADDOG

[nyandw]

Nice!! Thank you.

[mirrodie]

Without those switchers, if locos break down, is there anything else to move them around nowadays?

[BuddR32]

Without those switchers, if locos break down, is there anything else to move them around nowadays?

Yes, ShuttleWagons and a TrackMobile