Maine Central diesel locomotives
Locomotive purchasing history
Maine Central made annual purchases of new
Maine Central's first wholly owned
Builder | Type | Class | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|
ALCO
|
HH660 | DS-2 | |
ALCO | RS-2 | DRS-1b | |
ALCO | RS-3 | DRS-1d | |
ALCO | RS-11 | DRS-1f | |
ALCO | S-1
|
DS-3 | |
ALCO | S-2
|
DS-4b | |
ALCO | S-3
|
DS-3 | |
ALCO | S-4
|
DS-4d | |
EMD | E7A | DP | |
EMD | F3A/B | DF-3 | steam generator |
EMD | F3A | DF-4 | |
EMD | GP7 | DRS-3 | class DRS-3a = MU & dynamic brakes class DRS-3b = MU & steam generator class DRS-3d = steam generator |
EMD | GP38 | DRS-4 | |
EMD | SW7 | DS-5 | |
EMD | SW9 | DS-5 | |
GE | 44-ton switcher | DS-1 | |
GE | U18B | Independence | |
GE | U25B |
Paint schemes
Diesel locomotives were painted black with white lettering through
The period of joint operations ended in 1953 when Maine Central established separate corporate headquarters in
EMD GP38s replacing older cab units in 1966 introduced new safety yellow paint schemes. The GP38s were painted yellow with green lettering. Similar yellow paint schemes were applied to all subsequent road switcher purchases until Guilford control. Most of the GP7s were similarly repainted beginning in 1972. RS-11s 801 and 802 were painted yellow in 1977 and 1981, respectively.[10] Yellow paint covered the formerly striped noses of many ALCO switchers, although cabs and hoods remained black.[11]
Class DS yard switchers
Maine Central purchased two ALCO HH series locomotives in 1939 after observing operation of earlier purchases of these switchers by subsidiary Portland Terminal Company. Ten similar ALCO S-1 and S-3s were purchased by 1953.[12] These switchers worked in the larger yards and replaced 4-6-0s on the Harmony branch. Maine Central also purchased seven GE 44-ton switchers between 1941 and 1947 for use in Augusta, Brunswick, Livermore Falls, Vanceboro, Eastport, and the unconnected upper and lower yards at Lewiston. The Brunswick assignment proved too heavy for a 44-ton switcher; but they eliminated need for firemen and 0-6-0 maintenance crews in the remaining locations. The 660 horsepower (490 kW) ALCO switchers served as summer replacements when the 44-ton switchers required maintenance; but the ALCOs lacked electric hood heaters which allowed the 44-ton switchers to sleep in unheated engine houses through winter months without freezing the engine blocks.[13] ALCOs replaced 44-ton switchers at some locations in the mid 1970s;[10] but light rail on the Eastport branch required a 44-ton switcher until service to Eastport was discontinued in 1978.[14]
Number | Class | Type | Works number | Built | Retired | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 13095 | 9/1941 | 3/1974 | only GE switcher painted green;[15] sold |
12 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 15037 | 8/1942 | 9/1975 | sold |
13 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 27973 | 5/1945 | 3/1974 | sold |
14 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 27974 | 5/1945 | 12/1977 | sold |
15 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 27975 | 5/1945 | 12/1974 | sold as Conway Scenic Railroad # 15 |
16 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 28488 | 5/1946 | 1985 | sold as Aroostook Valley Railroad # 14 |
17 | DS-1 | GE 44-ton | 28348 | 5/1947 | 4/1974 | sold |
951 | DS-2 | HH660 | 69087 | 9/1939 | 3/1967 | scrapped |
952 | DS-2 | HH660 | 69088 | 9/1939 | 2/1968 | scrapped |
953 | DS-3 | S-1 | 69411 | 1/1941 | 1975 | traded for U18B |
954 | DS-3 | S-1 | 73085 | 1/1945 | 1975 | traded for U18B |
955 | DS-3 | S-1 | 73589 | 10/1945 | 1975 | traded for U18B |
956 | DS-3 | S-1 | 75350 | 7/1947 | 1975 | traded for U18B |
957 | DS-3 | S-1 | 77107 | 10/1949 | 1982 | |
958 | DS-3 | S-1 | 77108 | 10/1949 | 1982 | |
959 | DS-3 | S-1 | 77109 | 10/1949 | 1975 | traded for U18B; became North Stratford Railroad # 959 |
960 | DS-3 | S-1 | 77110 | 10/1949 | 1982 | |
961 | DS-3 | S-3 | 80290 | 3/1953 | 1975 | traded for U18B |
962 | DS-3 | S-3 | 80291 | 3/1953 | 4/1981 |
Class DP (EMD E7A)
Maine Central purchased seven EMD E7s in 1946 and 1948 to operate in a power pool with B&M E7s for passenger service between B&M points south of Portland and Maine Central points north of Portland. The first four were part of a cancelled order for the
Number | Works number | Built | Retired | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|---|
705 | 3366 | 6/1946 | 10/1963 | Rock Island paint; sold as KCS # 6 |
706 | 3367 | 6/1946 | 10/1963 | Rock Island paint; sold as KCS # 7 |
707 | 3368 | 6/1946 | 10/1963 | Rock Island paint; sold as KCS # 11 |
708 | 3369 | 6/1946 | 10/1963 | Rock Island paint; sold as KCS # 12 |
709 | 6647 | 7/1948 | 9/1962 | sold as KCS # 20 |
710 | 6648 | 7/1948 | 9/1960 | scrapped |
711 | 6649 | 7/1948 | 12/1960 | scrapped |
Class DF (EMD F3)
In 1947 and 1948, Maine Central purchased eight EMD F3As and two F3Bs as their first diesel freight locomotives. Class DF-3 were built with "chicken wire" grills and steam generators for possible use on passenger trains; but all Maine Central F3s spent most of their lives pulling freight trains on the main line and Mountain Division. Class DF-4 had the EMD F7-style grills and were sometimes called F5s.[17] The F3s were traded in for EMD GP38s in 1966.[18]
Number | Class | Type | Works number | Built | Retired | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
671A | DF-3 | F3A | 4494 | 12/1947 | 12/66 | traded for GP38 |
671B | DF-3 | F3B | 4496 | 12/1947 | 11/66 | traded for GP38 |
672A | DF-3 | F3A | 4495 | 12/1947 | 12/66 | traded for GP38 |
672B | DF-3 | F3B | 4497 | 12/1947 | 11/66 | traded for GP38 |
681 | DF-4 | F3A | 5695 | 11/1948 | 12/66 | traded for GP38 |
682 | DF-4 | F3A | 5696 | 11/1948 | 12/66 | traded for GP38 |
683 | DF-4 | F3A | 5697 | 11/1948 | 11/66 | traded for GP38 |
684 | DF-4 | F3A | 5698 | 11/1948 | 12/66 | traded for GP38 |
685 | DF-4 | F3A | 5699 | 11/1948 | 7/66 | traded for GP38 |
686 | DF-4 | F3A | 5700 | 11/1948 | 11/65 | wrecked and scrapped |
Class DS branch line switchers
Maine Central purchased three
Four maroon and gold MU-equipped EMD SW7s purchased in 1950 and 1951, and a similar green and gold SW9 purchased in 1953 became Maine Central class DS-5.[20] These EMD switchers worked as helpers and local freight engines on the Mountain Division until 1958. They then handled local freights out of Portland until being assigned to Bangor in 1966 for Bucksport Branch freight trains.[10]
Number | Class | Type | Works number | Built | Retired | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
301 | DS-4b | S-2 | 76593 | 2/1949 | 7/1978 | |
302 | DS-4b | S-2 | 76594 | 2/1949 | 1980 | |
303 | DS-4b | S-2 | 76595 | 2/1949 | 1980 | |
311 | DS-4d | S-4 | 78008 | 8/1950 | 1980 | the first S-4 type built by ALCO; MU cab end only; sold to Orrington, Maine chemical plant |
312 | DS-4d | S-4 | 78020 | 8/1950 | 1980 | MU cab end only |
313 | DS-4d | S-4 | 79502 | 12/1951 | 1981 | |
314 | DS-4d | S-4 | 81096 | 9/1954 | 1981 | |
315 | DS-4d | S-4 | 81097 | 9/1954 | 1980 | |
316 | DS-4d | S-4 | 81098 | 9/1954 | 1980 | |
317 | DS-4d | S-4 | 81099 | 9/1954 | 1981 | |
331 | DS-5 | SW7 | 12370 | 9/1950 | ||
332 | DS-5 | SW7 | 12371 | 9/1950 | ||
333 | DS-5 | SW7 | 12372 | 9/1950 | ||
334 | DS-5 | SW7 | 14754 | 8/1951 | ||
335 | DS-5 | SW9 | 19044 | 12/1953 |
Class DRS road switchers
Purchase of maroon and gold road switchers began with five ALCO RS-2s in 1949. Maine Central then purchased five class DRS-3b EMD GP7s with
After some experimentation in other locations, the ALCO road switchers were based at Bangor and usually worked on the eastern division between Bangor and the
Three of the RS-2s were traded in for GP38s in 1966. GP7s started working on the eastern division when thirteen new GP38s were delivered in 1966 and 1967. GP7s replaced remaining ALCO RS-2s and RS-3s when ten new GE U18Bs arrived in 1975. The U18Bs were individually named after Maine personalities and places of the American Revolutionary War in recognition of the United States Bicentennial.[24] Maine Central was one of two railroads in America to purchase the U18B.[25] The U18Bs were noted for having reliability issues and being underpowered.[26][27]
After the bicentennial, Maine Central began purchasing used locomotives including fourteen GE U25Bs from the liquidated Rock Island Railroad. Five of the U25Bs were cannibalized for parts to make the remaining nine operational. Availability of nine U25Bs for freight service allowed GP7s to replace the remaining ALCO switchers for yard assignments.[28]
Number | Class | Type | Works number | Built | Retired | Notes[1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
225 | U25B | 35701 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 225 purchased 6/1980 | ||
226 | U25B | 35702 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 226 purchased 6/1980 | ||
228 | U25B | 35704 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 228 purchased 6/1980 | ||
229 | U25B | 35705 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 229 purchased 6/1980 | ||
230 | U25B | 35706 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 230 purchased 6/1980 | ||
231 | U25B | 35707 | 9/1965 | 1/1987 | former Rock Island # 231 purchased 6/1980; wrecked | |
232 | U25B | 35708 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 232 purchased 6/1980 | ||
234 | U25B | 35710 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 234 purchased 6/1980 | ||
238 | U25B | 35714 | 9/1965 | former Rock Island # 238 purchased 6/1980 | ||
251 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32660 | 11/1966 | ||
252 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32661 | 11/1966 | ||
253 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32662 | 11/1966 | ||
254 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32663 | 11/1966 | ||
255 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32664 | 11/1966 | ||
256 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32665 | 11/1966 | ||
257 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32666 | 11/1966 | ||
258 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32667 | 11/1966 | ||
259 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32668 | 11/1966 | ||
260 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32669 | 11/1966 | ||
261 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32670 | 11/1966 | ||
262 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 32671 | 11/1966 | ||
263 | DRS-4 | GP38 | 33280 | 9/1967 | ||
400 | Independence | U18B | 40720 | 5/1975 | named General Henry Knox | |
401 | Independence | U18B | 40721 | 5/1975 | named Hannah Weston, who carried gunpowder to Jeremiah O'Brien's forces at Machias, Maine[29] | |
402 | Independence | U18B | 40722 | 5/1975 | named General John Stark | |
403 | Independence | U18B | 40723 | 5/1975 | named General Peleg Wadsworth | |
404 | Independence | U18B | 40724 | 5/1975 | named Kenneth Roberts | |
405 | Independence | U18B | 40725 | 6/1975 | named Arundel, the historical novel written by Kenneth Roberts[29] | |
406 | Independence | U18B | 40726 | 6/1975 | named Colonel John Allen, who dissuaded | |
407 | Independence | U18B | 40727 | 6/1975 | named Unity, the sloop commanded by Jeremiah O'Brien. | |
408 | Independence | U18B | 40728 | 6/1975 | named Battle of the Bagaduce | |
409 | Independence | U18B | 40729 | 6/1975 | named Ethan Allen | |
450 | EMD GP9 | A2018 | 8/1963 | the last GP9 built; former Algoma Central Railway # 171 purchased 6/1981 | ||
469 | RS-3 | 78291 | 9/1950 | 6/1967 | former RI # 469 purchased 11/1965; relettered but not repainted; traded for GP38 # 263 | |
551 | DRS-1b | RS-2 | 76634 | 1/1949 | 11/1966 | traded for GP38 |
552 | DRS-1b | RS-2 | 76635 | 1/1949 | 12/1966 | traded for GP38 |
553 | DRS-1b | RS-2 | 76636 | 1/1949 | 1975 | sold as Providence and Worcester Railroad # 1501 |
554 | DRS-1b | RS-2 | 76637 | 2/1949 | 1977 | repainted with unique yellow cab and green hoods; scrapped |
555 | DRS-1b | RS-2 | 76638 | 2/1949 | 12/1966 | traded for GP38 |
556 | DRS-1d | RS-3 | 80566 | 11/1953 | 4/1975 | scrapped |
557 | DRS-1d | RS-3 | 80567 | 11/1953 | 4/1975 | sold as Wolfeboro Railroad # 101 |
561 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 12362 | 10/1950 | ||
562 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 12363 | 10/1950 | ||
563 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 12364 | 10/1950 | ||
564 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 12365 | 10/1950 | renumbered # 470 in 12/1982 | |
565 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 12366 | 10/1950 | ||
566 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 19041 | 11/1953 | ||
567 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 19042 | 11/1953 | ||
568 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 19302 | 12/1953 | ||
569 | DRS-3a | GP7 | 19303 | 12/1953 | ||
571 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 12367 | 9/1950 | rebuilt with crew cab in 12/1985 as # 471 | |
572 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 12368 | 9/1950 | repainted in original maroon and gold scheme in 12/1978 | |
573 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 12369 | 9/1950 | repainted in unique simplified green paint scheme in 1963, and again in 1977 with another unique green paint scheme with silver trucks as Maine Central's last steam-generator-equipped locomotive; repainted in original maroon and gold following a wreck in 1981.[10] | |
574 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 14755 | 10/1951 | repainted green and gold in 1963; rebuilt with chopped nose and painted yellow in 8/1972 | |
575 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17416 | 10/1952 | ||
576 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17417 | 10/1952 | ||
577 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17418 | 10/1952 | ||
578 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17419 | 10/1952 | rebuilt with chopped nose and painted yellow in 1/1972 | |
579 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17420 | 10/1952 | rebuilt with chopped nose and painted yellow in 10/1980 | |
580 | DRS-3b | GP7 | 17421 | 10/1952 | became the last GP7 wearing original maroon paint in 1980 | |
581 | DRS-3d | GP7 | 13533 | 12/1950 | former Portland Terminal Company # 1081 acquired 3/1957 | |
590 | GP7 | 17770 | 2/1953 | former Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) # 439 purchased 12/1978 and rebuilt with chopped nose in 9/1979 | ||
591 | GP7 | 17764 | 2/1953 | former L&N # 433 purchased 12/1978 and rebuilt with chopped nose in 1/1980 | ||
592 | GP7 | 8872 | 3/1950 | former L&N # 388 purchased 12/1978 and rebuilt with chopped nose in 12/1980 | ||
593 | GP7 | 8878 | 12/1950 | former L&N # 393 purchased 12/1978 and rebuilt with chopped nose in 7/1980 | ||
801 | DRS-1f | RS-11 | 81616 | 6/1956 | scrapped 1984 | |
802 | DRS-1f | RS-11 | 81617 | 6/1956 | former Portland Terminal Company # 1082 acquired 11/1956 |
References
- 470 Railroad Club (1981). Meet the Maine Central. KJ Printing.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Albert, Dave & Melvin, George F. (1975). New England Diesels. George R. Cockle and Associates. ISBN 0-916160-01-7.
- Cook, Preston (1988). Before Guilford. Old Line Graphics.
- Johnson, Ron (1985). The Best of Maine Railroads. Portland Litho.
- Marson, Don & Jennison, Brian (1999). Railroads of the Pine Tree State Volume 1. Four Ways West Publications. ISBN 1-885614-31-4.
- Plant, Jeremy F. & Melvin, George F. (1998). Maine Central in Color Volume 1. Morning Sun Books. ISBN 1-878887-97-1.
- Plant, Jeremy F. & Melvin, George F. (1999). Maine Central in Color Volume 2. Morning Sun Books. ISBN 1-58248-030-3.
- Robertson, Edwin B. (1977). Maine Central Steam Locomotives. Edwin B. Robertson.
- Robertson, Edwin B. (1978). Maine Central Diesel Locomotives. Edwin B. Robertson.
- Sweetland, David R. (1989). New England Rails 1948-1968. Morning Sun Books. ISBN 0-9619058-4-0.
- Sweetland, David R. (2000). New England's Colorful Railroads Volume 1. Four Ways West Publications. ISBN 1-885614-32-2.
Notes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i All-Time MAINE CENTRAL Diesel Roster in Extra 2200 South issue 86
- ^ 470 Railroad Club (1981) p.3
- ^ Robertson (1977)
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.4-7
- ^ Albert & Melvin (1975) p.33
- ^ Marson & Jennison (1999) p.48
- ^ Sweetland (1989) pp.6&77
- ^ Sweetland (2000) p.75
- ^ Sweetland (2000) p.79
- ^ a b c d e f Plant & Melvin (1999) pp.42-49,77,80&101
- ^ Cook (1988) p.107
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.74-79
- ^ Marson & Jennison (1999) p.9
- ^ Johnson (1985) p.113
- ^ Plant and Melvin (1998) p.46
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.60-65
- ^ Sweetland (2000) p.85
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.54-59
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.18-23
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.24-27
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.34-53&66-69
- ^ Albert & Melvin (1975) p.34
- ^ 470 Railroad Club (1981) p.36
- ^ Robertson (1978) pp.12-17&28-39
- ^ "Maine Central Roster". trainweb.org. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ "GE "U18B" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Production Roster". American-Rails.com. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ "Origins of the GE FDL engine". RAILROAD.NET. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
- ^ Cook (1988) p.105
- ^ a b c The BAR Newsletter June 1976 volume III, issue 2, page 4