The Bessemer and Lake Erie Diesel Roster

The Bessemer and Lake Erie diesel roster mostly consisted of GMs since the railroad predominantly favored EMD although it did dabble in models from Baldwin/Lima and Alco. For a mostly-complete Bessemer and Lake Erie diesel roster please click here (while not fully complete it will give you an idea of most units the B&LE once owned). This list of surviving B&LE 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 B&LE colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of B&LE heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of B&LE heritage that are not in B&LE colors).

· EMD F7A #719A: Preserved at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum as B&LE #719A.

· EMD F7A #720A: In operation on tourist line Adirondack Scenic as New York Central #1500.

· EMD F7A #722A: In operation on tourist line Potomac Eagle as #722.

· EMD F7A #723A: In operation on shortline Carrizo Gorge Railway as #100.

· EMD F7A #723B: In operation on shortline Carrizo Gorge Railway as #101.

· EMD F7A #724A: In operation on shortline Carrizo Gorge Railway as #102.

· EMD F7A #725A: In operation on COE Rail as #725.

· EMD F7A #728: Preserved and in operation on the Southern Railway of New Jersey as New York, Ontario & Western #728.

Also, it should be noted that B&LE successor Canadian National still rosters 19 of the railroad’s six-axle EMDs. 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 Bessemer and Lake Erie 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)!