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Burlington Diesel Roster

The Burlington diesel roster was almost entirely made up of EMDs, even first-generation power, save for a few GEs. For a complete/all-time Burlington diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving CB&Q 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 CB&Q colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of CB&Q heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of CB&Q heritage that are not in CB&Q colors).

Budd Company

Pioneer Zephyr: This Zephyr trainset is preserved at the Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago).

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

· EMD NW2 #9227: Preserved at the Midland Railway Historical Society as CB&Q #524.

· EMD SW1 #9146: Preserved at the Gopher State Railroad Museum as CB&Q #9146.

· EMD SW7 #9255: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as CB&Q #9255.

· EMC #9908 Silver Charger: Preserved at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.

· EMD E5A #9911A: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as CB&Q #9911A.

· EMD E8A #9939A: Preserved at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis as CB&Q #9939A.

· EMD E9A #9989A: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as CB&Q #9989A.

· EMD E9A #9990: Displayed in Keller, Texas as CB&Q #9990.

· EMD SD24 #504: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as CB&Q #504.

Also, it should be noted that some former Burlington switcher and road units 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.

Thanks to Kevin Osborne for help with the information on this page.

While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Burlington 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 Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic FMs, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.

You may also want to consider the book Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the title implies the book looks at the history and development of the diesel locomotives, covering 200 pages, from its earliest beginnings to the newest designs and models operated today. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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