The Chesapeake and Ohio diesel roster was mostly made up of units from EMD although it did purchase everything from GEs and Alcos to Baldwins. For a complete/all-time Chesapeake and Ohio diesel roster please click here.This list of surviving C&O 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 C&O colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of C&O heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of C&O heritage that are not in C&O colors).
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was one of several Appalachian coal haulers and is perhaps best remembered for its buyout of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the early 1960s and its excellent management through much of the second-half of the 20th century, which earned the company substantial profits, especially during the waning years of the railroad industry in the 1960s and 1970s.
It thrived on West Virginia and Kentucky coal and was a gateway between Chicago and the ports of Virginia. More so than its ownership of the B&O the C&O is best remembered for the legendary publicity campaign it created in the early 1930s; Chessie the sleeping kitten. An icon even outside the rail industry, many people today still recognize the kitten and its association with railroading in some way.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco S4 #5106: In operation on tourist line Delaware & Ulster as #5106.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD NW2 #5208: Preserved at the Muskegeon Railroad Historical Society as C&O #5208.
· EMD GP7 #5704: In operation on the tourist line Lebanon, Mason & Monroe as #55.
· EMD GP7 #5833: In operation on the tourist line Hocking Valley Scenic Railway as C&O #5833.
· EMD GP9 #6240: In operation on the tourist line Potomac Eagle Scenic as Chessie System #6240.
· EMD SD18 #1818: Preserved at the Hoosier Valley Railway Museum as Chessie System #7318.
Also, it should be noted that many former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway 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 (thus a significant reason why more C&O units have not been preserved). To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Chesapeake and Ohio 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".
