NYC 4083 is a one-of-a-kind locomotive that New York Central painted in the experimental “Century Green” paint scheme. It was one one of three units, in an A-B-A set which received the same treatment. In search of a new simplified paint scheme in 1960-61 to replace the “lightning stripe” scheme, the NYC commissioned three new test schemes which were black, gray, and “Century Green.” The decision was made to go with dark gray.

“Century Green” eventually became the standard color for the NYC’s freight equipment. According to NYC Chief Mechanical Officer John Reehling, “The dark grey gave the best appearance. There was not enough stenciling as on a boxcar to break up the wide expanse of just plain green.”

Later in life, it was the last E8 locomotive painted in the Penn Central black livery to run in New Jersey service and was the third and last E8 to be completely rebuilt at Conrail’s Elizabethport, NJ shop, completed in August 1981.

This engine also operated as NJDOT and NJ Transit 4326 for a significant portion of its operational career. It was donated to the museum collection in 1995 and is restored to the one-of-a-kind “Century Green” paint scheme in 2014.