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The Chicago and North Western Diesel Roster

The all-time Chicago and North Western diesel roster was predominantly a mix of EMD and Alco power although beginning with second-generation power the railroad stuck with the reliability of EMDs and GEs. It should be note, however, the the C&NW also had models from manufacturers Baldwin and Fairbanks-Morse, which made up the fleet. For a complete/all-time Chicago and North Western diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving C&NW 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&NW colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of C&NW heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of C&NW heritage that are not in C&NW colors).

Of all the many granger roads which sprawled out across the Midwest, the Chicago and North Western is likely the best remembered of all. When the railroad was merged unto the Union Pacific in 1995 it was one of the oldest railroads in the Midwest, its name unchanged since 1859.

Because of its age the C&NW actually has the distinction of being the first railroad to operate a train out of Chicago, the Pioneer. The North Western's main line into that city is also a key link in the UP’s empire today. While its eye-catching green and yellow paint no longer adorns locomotives today the Chicago and North Western's legacy certainly continues to live on.

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

· Alco RSD-5 #1689: In operation on the Cuyahoga Scenic Railroad as C&NW #1689.

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

· EMD E8A #5021-B: Preserved by the Lake Shore Railway Association as Lorain & West Virginia #801.

· EMD F7A #4073C: Preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society as Lehigh Valley #576.

· EMD F7A #4073A: Preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society as NJ Transit #418.

· EMD F7A #4074A: Preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society as NJ Transit #424.

· EMD F7A #4076A: In operation on the Wisconsin Great Northern as Great Northern #423.

· EMD F7A #4082A: In operation on the Minnesota Zephyr excursion train as #788.

· EMD F7A #4082C: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as C&NW #411.

· EMD F7A #4083C: Preserved by the Illinois Railway Museum as Metra #308.

· EMD F7A #4087C: Preserved by the United Railroad Historical Society as Lehigh Valley #578.

· EMD GP7 #1518: Preserved by the Illinois Railway Museum as C&NW #1518.

· EMD GP9 #1716 : In operation on the Carrizo Gorge Railway as #4324.

Also, it should be noted that some former Chicago and North Western 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.

While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Chicago and North Western 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 reading about the C&NW you might want to consider Chicago & North Western Railway from Tom Murray. From another of MBI's "Railroad Color History" series the book gives an excellent general history of the 'North Western from its humble beginnings to purchase by Union Pacific in 1995, all the while stuffed full of colored photographs (typical of "Railroad Color History" publications).

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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