Extra Board
Welcome to Extra Board! This section is updated periodically with short features contributed by our readers, as well as some recent favorites straight from the pages of Diesel Era Magazine. Check back as we continue to add new articles!
Santa Fe U30CGs for the Holidays
General Electric U30CG units provided relief to Santa Fe in the 1960s replacing older first generation diesels for freight and passenger service.
2024 Locomotive Production in Review
The year 2024 saw incremental growth for Wabtec; Progress Rail seems to have hit a stride of around 120 locomotives a year; and Siemens continues to maintain its position as the dominant passenger locomotive provider.
Where the Buffalo Roamed: Union Railroad’s 600-Series Baldwin Rebuilds
Serving the steel industry, Union Railroad rostered a fleet of Baldwin road-switchers that were rebuilt with EMD prime movers to extend their lives.
Belt Railway of Chicago: A Generation of Change
There was a great period of change that came to the Belt Railway of Chicago as they transitioned toward more modern diesel power in the 1980s and 1990s.
EMD SW1001: Part 3
The third part in our series covering Electro-Motive’s SW1001, produced between September 1968 and June 1986.
EMD SD50: D&RGW 5501-5517
Rio Grande purchased 17 SD50s from Electro-Motive Division in 1984 to augment its need for greater horsepower.
Louisville & Nashville GP40s: 3000-3029
Louisville & Nashville purchased two groups of GP40 diesel locomotives for a total roster count of 30 units in 1966 and 1967.
Alco Century 415 Part 2: Rock Island and Southern Pacific
Centercab Alco Century 415 diesel switchers purchased by Rock Island and Southern Pacific.
Alco Century 415: Part 1 – Demonstrator and Minority Owners
Alco’s center-cab C-415 road switcher debuted in April 1966, and became the first of 26 units constructed before production ended in late 1968.
EMD SW1001: Part 1
Electro-Motive Divison’s SW1001 diesel locomotive was introduced in 1968 as an alternative to the SW1000 with a lower profile and a 645 prime mover.
