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!
2022 Locomotive Production
The scope of this article’s coverage is North American diesel locomotive production — both new builds and modernization programs.
Rock Island SD40-2s: 4790–4799
In late 1973, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad received 10 SD40-2 diesels from Electro-Motive Division.
Minnesota Commercial Motive Power Survey
Minnesota Commercial is a short line that began its current operations with the lease of Minnesota Transfer Railroad in February 1987.
Norfolk & Western’s High-Hood SD40-2 Units
Norfolk & Western and Southern Railway were the only customers for EMD’s high-hood variant of the SD40-2, but N&W only placed one order for eleven units in 1972.
Rock Island GP40s: Final Order 4700-4719
Despite its financial challenges that began developing in earnest in the mid-1960s, Rock Island was a solid supporter of Electro-Motive Division’s GP40.
Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific ex-Rock Island GP40s
Following its 1980 bankruptcy and liquidation, former Rock Island GP40s found a new home on Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific.
A History of Santa Fe SD45-2s
EMD’s SD45-2 was the answer to Santa Fe’s need for a new six-axle diesel to power their high-priority freight and intermodal trains.
Trans-Global Solutions/Econo-Rail Part 2
In Part 2, we continue our review of Econo-Rail Corporation and how it evolved into today’s Trans-Global Solutions, Inc.
Trans-Global Solutions/Econo-Rail Locomotive Lessor and Third-Party Contractor
Trans-Global Solutions/Econo-Rail Locomotive Lessor and Third-Party Contractor
LS&I’s Cascade Green Machines
Built by General Electric for Burlington Northern in the early 1970s, these U30Cs have a half-century of service on their resumes as they run off their final miles on Lake Superior & Ishpeming.