Brand-new New York Central J-1a 5200 — the first of the road’s famous fleet of Hudsons, and the first example of the 4-6-4 wheel arrangement in North America — steams through a ceremonial banner at Alco’s Schenectady plant on February 14, 1927. NYC photo
ALCO wanted for Schenectady and the New York Central 4-6-4, J-1a’s to be first
Hudson out. ALCO Brooks in Dunkirk, NY also rolled out 4-6-4 Nickel Plate L-1A’s in February 1927. The original NKP Hudson # 170 survives at the National Museum of Transport in Kirkwood, MO.