In August 1970 five GP38s (2010-2014) were ordered by the Pennsylvania Reading Seashore Lines, owned 2/3 by the Penn Central and 1/3rd by the Reading Company. They were released by EMD in November of 1970 in solid Brunswick Green with PRR style numbers but no lettering. They, like the other PRSL GP38s had a "Walk Around Throttle" control stand option that required a 9" bump out of the windshield to allow passage around the dual controls without leaving the cab. They all left EMD in the middle of the month but the PRSL was unable to obtain financing so they sat at Blue Island yard awaiting an uncertain owner. The solution was that PC would take title to all 5 and have them shipped to Jersey. They retained the gold numbers and dark green paint but received small PC heralds front and back and and a few even received large “worms” on the rear of the long hood. In all of my research on the “PRSL GP38s" the entire block of #2000-#2014 is referred as such although the last 5 were regular visitors to PC trackage outside NJ and never carried PRSL heralds or initials. The 2014 pictured below was originally #2012 and was a frequent visitor to my hometown of Reading PA on the ex-PRR Schuylkill Valley Branch.. |