by Tony Cook and Randy Keller/photos as noted
General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division (EMD) 1966 line brought a wide range of new diesel locomotive models and included the arrival of the 645 prime mover (replacing the 567). Switcher offerings focused on two levels for customers with one version producing less horsepower from fewer cylinders, and the top option was a 12-cylinder, four-axle unit with more pulling power. For 1966, the switchers introduced included an 8-cylinder SW1000 (replacing models like EMD’s SW600 and SW900); the other option was a 12-cylinder SW1500. EMD’s SW1500 sold more than 800 examples, while the SW1000 production total was 119. This photo survey shares views of all 10 Rio Grande SW1000s (140–149).
ABOVE: Above: D&RGW 140, shown in March 1967, is the class unit of the road’s collection of 10 EMD SW1000 diesel switchers. This is the only SW1000 view showing hood-mounted handrails versus stanchion/handrails mounted to the sill. Later pictures show this unit with handrails matching the rest of the SW1000s. —Photographer Unknown, Kevin EuDaly Collection
ABOVE: D&RGW 147 at Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 18, 1977. This unit shows a cloth cab shade (which appears common to the trio of 1968 additions), while most other SW1000s on the roster have metal shades going by the photos in this survey. Fuel tank options included 600- and 1,100-gallon; Rio Grande’s tanks are 600 gallon. —Peter Arnold photo, Kevin EuDaly collection
ABOVE: Above: D&RGW 148 at Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 16, 1974. The 1968 SW1000s came with a rectangular builder’s plate versus the oval plate on the 1966 units. Flexicoil trucks were an option for SW1000s, but no buyers opted for this style. —R.R. Wallin photo, Kevin EuDaly collection
