In the early 1940s the New York Central added another 115 4-8-2s to its fleet of Mohawks in classes L3 and L4, bringing the total number to 600. The 15 engines of class L3b, Nos. 3035-3049, were built by Lima Locomotive Works in 1940. They weighed 393,500 pounds and mustered a tractive effort of 60,100 pounds, with a booster adding 14,000 pounds They had 25½x30-inch cylinders, a boiler pressure of 250 pounds per square inch, and 69-inch Boxpok disc drivers. The L3 Mohawks had a grate area of 75.3 square feet and an evaporative heating surface of 4676 square feet.

Unlike the new power being ordered by most railroads at the time, the L3s still featured the alligator-type crosshead. The NYC finally went for the multiple-bearing crosshead on the L4b class of 1943, as well as the post-World War II Niagara 4-8-4s and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 2-8-4s. These newer Mohawks were primarily freight haulers for the "Water Level Route," but were dual service engines and often saw passenger service. Their tenders were equipped to scoop water from the track pans along the New York Central's main lines. Many newer Mohawks were later fitted with "elephant ear" smoke deflectors, missing in this Lima builder's photo. Note also the footboard pilot on this representative of the class, revealing its intended use in freight duty.