The Bangor and Aroostook diesel roster mostly consisted of GMs since the railroad predominantly favored EMD, although it did dabble in models from General Electric. For a complete/all-time Bangor and Aroostook diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving BAR diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in Bangor & Aroostook colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of BAR heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of BAR heritage that are not in BAR colors).
The Bangor and Aroostook Railroad, a company synonymous with the State of Maine, as all of the railroad's trackage was found within the state's borders. The BAR, as it was also known (these were its official reporting marks), is a very recent fallen flag. After the railroad lost a major part of its overall potato business when, in the late 1960s, Penn Central’s service was so horrific that almost an entire season’s crop rotted in transit, it struggled to make ends meet.
After a number of acquisitions and attempting to survive on the remaining paper and lumber business of northern Maine its owner by 2003 (Iron Road Railways) declared the railroad bankrupt and its lines were sold off to Rail World, Inc. and the company renamed the new railroad the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD F3A #504: In operation with the Tri-State Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society and preserved as Central Railroad of New Jersey #57.
· EMD F3A #506: In operation with the Anthracite Railroad Historical Society and preserved as Central Railroad of New Jersey #56.
· EMD BL2 #554: Preserved and in operation with the Stourbridge Railroad as #54.
· EMD BL2 #557: Preserved at the Cole Transportation Museum.
Also, it should be noted that many former Bangor & Aroostook switcher and road units (almost entirely of EMD build) continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with Class Is, Regionals, shortlines, or leasing companies. To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here to visit The Diesel Shop.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Bangor and Aroostook diesel roster. So, if you know of any other survivors out there, whether they are parked and gleaming in a museum or sitting out in the weeds along a forgotten siding please let me know so we can keep this list growing, and you will be given full credit for your help. For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider the book The American Diesel Locomotive from author Brian Solomon. The book studies everything from classic to newer diesel locomotive models. In the entire book is a great resource and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it, not to mention that it is loaded with photos (many in color)! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
