Rochester Gas & Electric No. 41 is the oldest operating locomotives in our collection. Originally produced by General Electric in 1941 for use at its own Riverworks plant in Lynn, Massachusetts, this industrial switching locomotive passed through several owners before coming to the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad in 1964. They, in turn, sold it to Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation in April, 1965. RG&E used it most recently at the BeeBee Power Plant off of State Street in Rochester until 1991 when it was acquired by the museum. The historic 380 horsepower side rod locomotive is powered by two six cylinder diesel engines.
RG&E made this locomotive available to the museum at a very reasonable price, and Conrail cooperated by moving the locomotive to the Museum at a nominal move charge on September 9, 1991. Since the locomotive had no number at RG&E, it was decided to number it 1941 for its build date. This was done for several reasons with the most important being safety during train operations.
ABOVE: RG&E 1941 poses near the main entrance to the New York Museum of Transportation. This view dates from the mid-1990s prior to its multi-year rebuilding and restoration. Photo by Chris Hauf
Designed for low-speed switching in industrial settings, only one axle on each truck is powered. The siderods help transfer momentum from the powered axle to the unpowered axle. This unique and historic diesel switching locomotive was returned to active service at our museum in August 2012 after emerging from an intense multi-year restoration and rebuilding by our volunteers. It is used for special events throughout the year.
Technical Data
- General Electric 45-ton side rod
- 300 horsepower
- Built August 1941 for GE Riverworks
- Sold to Pittsburgh, Alleghany & McKees Rocks as #3
- Sold to Groveton Paper as #1 (4/17/56)
- Sold to Livonia, Avon & Lakeville as #97 (9/64)
- Sold to Rochester Gas & Electric (4/65)
- Donated to R&GVRRM as #1941 (9/9/91)
