From NYC 4076 to ERIE 834

The Story of NJT E8 4323

The story of the United Railway Historical Society's "Erie 834" E8 Locomotive is a complex one. Certainly, something that can't fit on the "notes" line of a roster. Here, I will attempt to briefly explain the history of the unit. For a more detailed explanation, I recommend the December 1991 issue of Railfan & Railroad Magazine.

njt4323w.jpg (31686 bytes)

NJT "White" 4323

Erie 834 was built in July 1953 by the Electo-Motive Division of General Motors in La Grange, Illinois for the New York Central. It carried the number 4076 through the 1968 merger with the Pennsylvania Railroad (forming Penn Central), but was soon renumbered as Penn Central 4323. On December 2, 1976, the 4323 became the property of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as NJDOT 4323. In Late 1979, NJDOT authorized a complete rebuilding of three E8s at Conrail's former-Central RR of New Jersey Elizabethport Shops. The first unit was NJDOT 4248 (Ex-PC 4248, nee-PRR 5788A), which was followed by 4323, and finally 4326 (Ex-PC 4326, Exx-PC 4083, nee-NYC 4083).

4323 was rebuilt completely from the ground up, and the chassis was refurbished. Unlike the 4248, the 2250 HP engine and traction motor specifications remained as original from EMD. After rebuilding, the unit became the first locomotive painted for NJ TRANSIT, but with an experimental disco stripe on white carbody paint scheme. On April 5, 1980, the unit made a test run down the North Jersey Coast Line. E8 4334 joined 4323 with the white scheme, but by this time, NJT management had decided that the scheme was ineffective, and the current black/platinum mist/disco stripe paint scheme was born.

In November 1982, the "white" 4323 was stored in South Amboy, NJ, and was cannibalized to keep the other units running. 1983 brought the giant re-electrification project on the Ex-DL&W Morris & Essex Lines, and NJT was forced to store HEP equipped Diesel-powered trainsets in the Dover Yard, and in order to keep the cars warm and operable, the HEP-equipped U34CH and F40PH-2 locomotives had to be kept on all night. Fuel costs became a problem, and so NJT needed a solution to keep the cars warm, while being able to shut down the locomotives. This job was given to the 4323.

njt4323t.jpg (50195 bytes)

NJT "HEP" 4323

The following is from Railfan & Railroad, December 1991 :

"The forward one of the 4323's two prime movers was removed to make space for a Cummins V-12, 500-h.p., 480-volt generator which would be capable of heating the engines of the locomotives connected to it. Coincident with this installation, 4323's steam generator was removed. This modification left the 4323 with one 1125-h.p. engine capable of moving the locomotive with only the one truck for traction. Repainted in a more attractive platinum mist livery, the 4323 became a regular fixture in the Dover lay-up yard."
             -Walt Grosselfinger

erie834t.jpg (23047 bytes)

Erie 834

In 1988, the United Railway Historical Society decided to repaint two retired E8 locomotives into the Erie Railroad paint scheme. All retired E8s were mechanically evaluated to pick out the best two. 4323 was considered immediately, because it was the only E8 with a HEP Generator, making it very valuable indeed. The 4323 was rewired so one engine could provide power to both trucks, and when used with a full-powered E8, could be a 3375 HP locomotive set. On June 10, 1990, NJ TRANSIT and the URHS operated 4323 on an excursion from Hoboken to Denville, Spring Valley, and back. The train operated with 4323 on one end, and GP40PH 4102 at the other.

On August 23, 1990, the locomotive was sent to Rome Locomotive Works for repainting, and returned to New Jersey as Erie 834 for a November 17, 1990 excursion from Hoboken to Bay Head on the NJCL. It was joined by Erie 835 (NJT 4248) before Christmas 1990.

Written by Michael Steinberg with help from
Railfan & Railroad Magazine, December 1991 Issue "An Erie Experience in New Jersey" by Walt Grosselfinger