In the book :One Man's Locomotives" by Vernon L. Smith he states that 3 Alco PA's had their Alco 244 engines replaced with EMD engines. The original Alco engines were 2000 HP while the replacement EMD engines had 1750 HP. He says "the converted units of lesser power were reported to be rather a disappointment to the operating department ... one should never go backwards on power outputs for locomotives in important mainline services."

Mr. Smith worked in the Santa Fe motive power department although he had nothing to do with these repowerings.