EMD "NW2" Switchers: Data, Specs, Roster
Last revised: February 20, 2025
By: Adam Burns
The NW2 followed Electro-Motive's earlier NW, NW1, and NC models; switchers capable of producing 900 horsepower.
All of these original designs were equipped with Winton's 201-A prime mover while the NW2 was the first to utilize General Motors' model 567.
Electro-Motive saw enough interest in these early designs, along with its first SW models, to warrant cataloging further switchers through the 1940s.
At the time, then-EMC was fast becoming the industrial leader in diesel-electric manufacturing having released its popular FT cab model in 1939.
That particular locomotive would silence steam power nearly single-handedly. For Electro-Motive, it seemed every model it released from the 1940s through the 1970s was a success.
The NW2 would go down as one of EMD's most popular small switchers. When its 10-year production run had ended some 1,139 units had been built for a variety of Class Is, short lines, industrial operations, and even a few Canadian lines.
Today, several of these resilient switchers carry on in service at private industries, small short lines, and tourist lines. Its rugged design is a testament to the engineers at EMD during the company's height of production.
Photos
Burlington (Fort Worth & Denver) NW2 #605 switches a local customer in Wichita Falls, Texas, circa 1965. American-Rails.com collection.Overview
Electro-Motive's NW series entered production in 1937 as a successor to the NC, a switcher sporting a cast frame.
At the time some railroads still preferred this manufacturing method which had long been employed in the construction of steam locomotives. However, welded frames were proven to be stronger and cheaper to produce.
The NW originally referring to:
- Nine-hundred horsepower
- Welded frame.
However, with the NW2's introduction the nine-hundred reference was dropped as its new 12-cylinder 567 could produce an additional 100 horsepower.
Lehigh Valley NW2 #183 sits next to Reading C424 #5205 at Allentown, Pennsylvania on May 17, 1975. Author's collection.The NW2 featured a frame with the same length (44 feet, 5 inches) as its predecessors with the taper near the cab for improved visibility.
It also came equipped with EMD's standard B-B trucks and lacked a sandbox on the front platform that was commonly found on early SW models.
Its other notable spotting feature was two conical stacks mounted just ahead of the cab. As Jerry Pinkepank notes in his book, "Diesel Spotter's Guide," the NW2 is most easily distinguishable from its earlier counterparts by the lack of small louvers on the side of the hood.
Erie Lackawanna NW2 #425 (built as Erie #424) is seen here at work in October, 1969. Location not listed. Author's collection.Sales for the NW2 quickly took off; not only were these little switchers ideal for any application but they were also inexpensive. EMD also offered a cow-calf version known as the TR, TR2, and TR3.
The first and final models (TR, TR3) were sold only to the Illinois Central (three sets) and Chesapeake & Ohio (two sets).
Data Sheet and Specifications
| Entered Production | 2/1939 (Great Northern #5302) |
| Years Produced | 2/1939 - 12/1949* |
| EMD Class | NW2 |
| Engines | 567, 567A (12 Cylinder) |
| Engine Builder | GM/EMD |
| Horsepower | 1000 |
| RPM | 800 |
| Length (End of Couplers) | 44' 5" |
| Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab) | 14' 6 ¼" |
| Height (Top Of Engine Hood) | 11' 9 ½" |
| Width (Outside Grab Irons) | 10' 0" |
| Weight | 250,000 Lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 Gallons |
| Air Compressor | 3C2C (Westinghouse) |
| Air Brake Schedule | 14EL (Westinghouse) |
| Trucks | B-B |
| Truck Type | GRS Rigid Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer (AAR Type-A) |
| Truck Wheelbase | 8' 0" |
| Wheel Size | 40" |
| Traction Motors (Per Locomotive) | D7** (4), GM/EMD |
| Traction Generator | D4/D4D/D15A**, GM/EMD |
| MU (Multiple-Unit) | Yes |
| Dynamic Brakes | No |
| Gear Ratio | 62:15 or 65:12 (After January, 1945) |
| Tractive Effort/Starting | 62,500 Lbs |
| Top Speed | 65 mph (62:15): 55 mph (65:12) |
* Most construction was suspended between 1942-1945 (World War II).
** According to Electro-Motive's operating manual the D15A main generator and D27 traction motor was installed in NW2's built after August, 1949.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas ("Katy") NW2 #10 (built as 1029) is seen here at the shops in Parsons, Kansas, circa 1969. American-Rails.com collection.Production Rosters
EMD
(Total Built = 1,115)
| Owner | Road Number | Serial Number | Order Number | Completion Date | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | D-139 | 844 | E235 | 5/1939 | 1 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1650-1651 | 845-846 | E241 | 6/1939 | 2 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1100 | 847 | E248 | 5/1939 | 1 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9104 | 848 | E250 | 9/1939 | 1 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (New Cornelia Branch Mine) | 1-2 | 849-850 | E256 | 5/1939 | 2 |
| Great Northern | 5302-5309 | 861-868 | E219 | 2/1939-5/1939 | 8 |
| Great Northern | 5310-5311 | 883-884 | E219 | 5/1939 | 2 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (New Cornelia Branch Mine) | 3-4 | 885-886 | E256 | 6/1939 | 2 |
| Soo Line | 300-301 | 887-888 | E274 | 9/1939 | 2 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 889* | 889 | E308 | 10/1939 | 1 |
| Santa Fe | 2353-2365 | 915-927 | E258 | 7/1939-9/1939 | 13 |
| Illinois Central | 9150 | 928 | E285 | 12/1939 | 1 |
| Atlantic Coast Line | 601 | 929 | E296 | 1/1940 | 1 |
| Great Northern | 5312-5323 | 939-950 | E260 | 6/1939-8/1939 | 12 |
| Erie | 401-403 | 951-953 | E280 | 10/1939-11/1939 | 3 |
| Northern Pacific | 101-103 | 995-997 | E294 | 2/1940-3/1940 | 3 |
| Wheeling & Lake Erie | D-1 | 998 | E299 | 4/1940 | 1 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9203 | 999 | E309 | 4/1940 | 1 |
| Union Pacific | 1001-1009 | 1000-1008 | E308 | 5/1940 | 9 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9204 | 1009 | E309 | 4/1940 | 1 |
| Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis | 551-552 | 1080-1081 | E312 | 6/1940 | 2 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9105 | 1084 | E317 | 8/1940 | 1 |
| Southern Railway (St Johns River Terminal) | 8560 | 1086 | E320 | 7/1940 | 1 |
| Wheeling & Lake Erie | D-2 | 1089 | E326 | 7/1940 | 1 |
| Lake Champlain & Moriah | 19 | 1090 | E327 | 8/1940 | 1 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 400-408 | 1114-1122 | E325 | 10/1940-11/1940 | 9 |
| Union Pacific | 1010-1014 | 1123-1127 | E328 | 7/1940 | 5 |
| Reading Railroad | 90 | 1132 | E330 | 8/1940 | 1 |
| Minneapolis & St. Louis | D-740 | 1135 | E332 | 8/1940 | 1 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 403-404 | 1168-1169 | E339 | 9/1940 | 2 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) | 5-6 | 1170-1171 | E340 | 10/1940 | 2 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1652-1654 | 1187-1189 | E344 | 11/1940 | 3 |
| Illinois Central | 9151 | 1193 | E359 | 2/1941 | 1 |
| Chicago & North Western (Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha) | 70 | 1195 | E347 | 12/1940 | 1 |
| Southern Railway | 2200-2204 | 1209-1213 | E355 | 12/1940-1/1941 | 5 |
| Central of Georgia Railway | 20 | 1232 | E366 | 1/1941 | 1 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 405-406 | 1240-1241 | E368 | 1/1941 | 2 |
| Union Pacific | 1015-1024 | 1244-1253 | E371 | 12/1940-3/1941 | 10 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9205-9219 | 1286-1300 | E376 | 2/1941-5/1941 | 15 |
| Northern Pacific | 104-106 | 1310-1312 | E381 | 5/1941 | 3 |
| Denver & Rio Grande Western | 7000 | 1313 | E382 | 1/1941 | 1 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9106 | 1315 | E384 | 8/1941 | 1 |
| Southern Pacific | 1310-1319 | 1353-1362 | E395 | 6/1941-7/1941 | 10 |
| Great Northern | 5324-5331 | 1370-1377 | E400 | 7/1941-9/1941 | 8 |
| Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis | 553-555 | 1393-1395 | E406 | 8/1941 | 3 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 407 | 1405 | E408 | 8/1941 | 1 |
| Wheeling & Lake Erie | D-3, D-4 | 1422-1423 | E414 | 6/1941, 8/1941 | 2 |
| Pennsylvania | 3909 | 1426 | E416 | 10/1941 | 1 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1101-1102 | 1433-1434 | E421 | 9/1941 | 2 |
| Fort Worth & Denver City (Burlington) | 603 | 1447 | E424 | 6/1941 | 1 |
| Reading | 91-92 | 1454-1455 | E428 | 9/1941-10/1941 | 2 |
| Illinois Central | 9152 | 1456 | E419 | 10/1941 | 1 |
| Central of Georgia | 25 | 1460 | E442 | 2/1942 | 1 |
| Boston & Maine | 1200-1201 | 1461-1462 | E431 | 11/1941 | 2 |
| Southern Railway | 2206-2207 | 1463-1464 | E432 | 10/1941 | 2 |
| Southern Railway (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific) | 6050-6056 | 1465-1471 | E434 | 12/1941-2/1942 | 7 |
| Southern Railway (New Orleans & Northeastern) | 6850-6851 | 1472-1473 | E433 | 11/1941-12/1941 | 2 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 219 | 1476 | E438 | 6/1941 | 1 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis | 25 | 1538 | E444 | 12/1941 | 1 |
| Grand Trunk Western | 7900-7914 | 1539-1553 | E445 | 10/1941-3/1942 | 15 |
| Seaboard Air Line | 1406-1407 | 1595-1596 | E459 | 3/1942 | 2 |
| Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) | 1-3 | 1598-1600 | E461 | 4/1942 | 3 |
| Louisiana & Arkansas (Kansas City Southern) | 1125-1126 | 1607-1608 | E464 | 1/1942 | 2 |
| Central Railroad Of New Jersey | 1060-1061 | 1612-1613 | E466 | 4/1942 | 2 |
| Atlantic Coast Line | 603, 605 | 1630-1631 | E468 | 4/1942-5/1942 | 2 |
| Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis | 556-557 | 1667-1668 | E488 | 2/1943-3/1943 | 2 |
| Union Pacific | 1025-1026 | 1686-1687 | E476 | 10/1941 | 2 |
| Union Pacific | 1027-1035 | 1688-1696 | E476 | 5/1942-7/1942 | 9 |
| Great Northern | 5334-5336 | 1711-1713 | E477 | 8/1942-9/1942 | 3 |
| Pere Marquette | 51-52 | 1715-1716 | E479 | 10/1942-11/1942 | 2 |
| Pere Marquette | 53-54 | 1717-1718 | E479 | 2/1943-3/1943 | 2 |
| Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal | 409-411 | 1729-1731 | E463 | 1/1943 | 3 |
| New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road) | 7-10 | 1752-1755 | E494 | 9/1942-10/1942 | 4 |
| Santa Fe | 2366-2367 | 1769-1770 | E497 | 3/1943 | 2 |
| Republic Steel Corporation | D-815 | 1836 | E508 | 5/1942 | 1 |
| Seaboard Air Line | 1408-1412 | 1873-1877 | E520 | 6/1942 | 5 |
| U.S. Navy (Fallbrook Naval Ammo Depot) | 1-4 | 1922-1925 | E526 | 3/1942 | 4 |
| Atlantic Coast Line | 611-615 (Odds) | 1926-1928 | E527 | 8/1942-10/1942 | 3 |
| Boston & Maine | 1202-1204 | 1933-1935 | E535 | 7/1942 | 3 |
| Illinois Central | 9153-9156 | 2063-2066 | E547 | 7/1945 | 4 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) | 7-8 | 2351-2352 | E586 | 11/1942 | 2 |
| U.S. Navy (Hawthorne, Nevada) | 44 | 2385 | E596 | 3/1943 | 1 |
| Great Northern | 145-150 | 2475-2480 | E604 | 8/1945-9/1945 | 6 |
| Boston & Maine | 1205-1207 | 3091-3093 | E726 | 9/1946 | 3 |
| New York, Ontario & Western | 111-115 | 3164-3168 | E824 | 3/1948-4/1948 | 5 |
| New York, Ontario & Western | 116-127 | 3169-3180 | E824 | 6/1948-7/1948 | 12 |
| Illinois Central | 9157-9166 | 3279-3288 | E667 | 7/1945 | 10 |
| Delaware, Lackawanna & Western | 461-465 | 3391-3395 | E677 | 11/1945 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | 5921-5922 | 3417-3418 | E680 | 4/1946, 11/1945 | 2 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 222 | 3421 | E682 | 6/1946 | 1 |
| Union Pacific | 1036-1050 | 3422-3436 | E683 | 5/1946-7/1946 | 5 |
| Pere Marquette | 55-64 | 3463-3472 | E685 | 11/1945-5/1946 | 10 |
| New York Central | 8700-8704 | 3606-3610 | E696 | 7/1946 | 5 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9220-9247 | 3616-3643 | E699 | 7/1946-9/1946 | 28 |
| Southern Railway | 2233-2246 | 3644-3657 | E700 | 9/1946-10/1946 | 14 |
| Fort Worth & Denver City (Burlington) | 605-606 | 3923-3924 | E736 | 10/1946 | 2 |
| Fort Worth Belt Railway | 2 | 3962 | E741 | 10/1946 | 1 |
| Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) | 1000-1001 | 3963-3964 | E742 | 10/1946 | 2 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1200-1203 | 4061-4064 | E753 | 11/1946 | 4 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 223-225 | 4069-4071 | E755 | 11/1946 | 3 |
| Southern Railway | 2247 | 4158 | E768 | 12/1946 | 1 |
| Wabash Railroad | 350 | 4159 | E769 | 12/1946 | 1 |
| Maryland & Pennsylvania | 80-81 | 4160-4161 | E770 | 12/1946 | 2 |
| West Virginia Northern | 50-51 | 4229-4230 | E773 | 8/1946, 6/1947 | 2 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1204-1211 | 4264-4271 | E779 | 11/1946-1/1947 | 8 |
| Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) | 14-17 | 4445-4448 | E794 | 1/1947 | 4 |
| Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 1026-1030 | 4583-4587 | E813 | 1/1947 | 5 |
| Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) | 1002-1008 | 4588-4594 | E814 | 1/1947-2/1947 | 7 |
| Union Pacific | 1051-1075 | 4697-4721 | E820 | 2/1947-6/1947 | 25 |
| Southern Railway | 2249-2262 | 4749-4762 | E828 | 6/1947-7/1947 | 14 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 409-423 | 4772-4786 | E830 | 10/1947-11/1947 | 15 |
| Lake Terminal Railroad | 1001-1002 | 4794, 4796 | E834 | 4/1947 | 2 |
| Southern Railway | 2248 | 4797 | E832 | 1/1947 | 1 |
| Lake Terminal Railroad | 1003-1008 | 4798-4803 | E834 | 4/1947-5/1947 | 6 |
| Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend Railroad | 52 | 4845 | E839 | 6/1947 | 1 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (New Cornelia Branch Mine) | 3 | 4846 | E839 | 6/1947 | 1 |
| Apalachicola Northern | 701-702 | 4912-4913 | E842 | 9/1947 | 2 |
| Reading | 100-104 | 4940-4944 | E846 | 7/1947 | 5 |
| Colorado & Southern | 150-152 | 4945-4947 | E847 | 9/1947 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | 5923-5925 | 4954-4956 | E849 | 9/1947-10/1947 | 3 |
| New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road) | 11-16 | 4985-4990 | E854 | 10/1947 | 6 |
| Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis | 558-563 | 5026-5031 | E860 | 7/1947 | 6 |
| Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad | 900-901 | 5032-5033 | E861 | 10/1947 | 2 |
| Detroit Terminal Railroad | 104-112 | 5034-5042 | E862 | 6/1947-10/1947 | 9 |
| Erie Railroad | 404-413 | 5129-5138 | E868 | 1/1948 | 10 |
| Apalachicola Northern | 703 | 5139 | E842 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 26-27 | 5147-5148 | E872 | 11/1947 | 2 |
| Great Trunk Western | 7966-7973 | 5162-5169 | E874 | 12/1947-1/1948 | 8 |
| Jacksonville Terminal | 30-32 | 5202-5204 | E882 | 7/1947 | 3 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1647-1649 | 5238-5240 | E885 | 11/1947 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) | 8705-8714 | 5249-5258 | E888 | 12/1947 | 10 |
| Lake Terminal Railroad | 1009-1015 | 5263-5269 | E890 | 1/1948-3/1948 | 7 |
| Lake Super Terminal & Transfer | 100-102 | 5286-5288 | E892 | 2/1948 | 3 |
| Apalachicola Northern | 704 | 5309 | E842 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 9155-9164 | 5360-5369 | E897 | 2/1948 | 10 |
| Chicago & Western Indiana | 250-251 | 5395-5396 | E901 | 11/1947 | 2 |
| St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) | 250-253 | 5510-5513 | E911 | 4/1948 | 4 |
| Peoria & Pekin Union | 400-401 | 5534-5535 | E915 | 10/1947 | 2 |
| Chicago Great Western | 16-24 | 5536-5544 | E916 | 4/1948-5/1948 | 9 |
| Manistee & Northeastern Railroad | 2-3 | 5555-5556 | E918 | 5/1948 | 2 |
| Louisiana & Arkansas (Kansas City Southern) | 1212-1221 | 5557-5566 | E919 | 5/1948-6/1948 | 10 |
| Peoria & Pekin Union | 402-403 | 5597-5598 | E923 | 6/1948 | 2 |
| Spokane, Portland & Seattle | 40-42 | 5743-5745 | E941 | 1/1948 | 3 |
| Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad | 902 | 5752 | E944 | 5/1948 | 1 |
| Detroit, Toledo & Ironton | 910-916 | 5757-5763 | E946 | 9/1948 | 7 |
| Wheeling Steel Corporation | 1251 | 5766 | E948 | 9/1948 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 9165-9176 | 5802-5813 | E897 | 10/1948-11/1948 | 12 |
| Southern Railway | 2263-2284 | 5824-5845 | E954 | 9/1948-11/1948 | 22 |
| New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road) | 17-22 | 6088-6093 | E854 | 2/1948 | 6 |
| Rock Island | 765-774 | 6124-6133 | E973 | 12/1948-1/1949 | 10 |
| Erie Railroad | 414-416 | 6145-6147 | E976 | 11/1948 | 3 |
| New York, Ontario & Western | 128-131 | 6160-6163 | E824 | 7/1948 | 4 |
| Georgia Railroad | 901 | 6194 | E983 | 4/1948 | 1 |
| New York Central | 8750-8773 | 6195-6218 | E984 | 10/1948-1/1949 | 24 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8719-8728 | 6219-6228 | E985 | 5/1948-6/1948 | 10 |
| St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) | 254-259 | 6247-6252 | E988 | 5/1948-6/1948 | 6 |
| Chicago Great Western | 25-29 | 6253-6257 | E989 | 6/1948 | 5 |
| Chesapeake & Ohio | 1850-1856 | 6268-6274 | E993 | 11/1948-12/1948 | 7 |
| Union Pacific | 1076-1095 | 6336-6355 | E998 | 3/1948-9/1948 | 20 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8729-8733 | 6376-6380 | E985 | 8/1948-9/1948 | 5 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8734-8739 | 6416-6421 | E985 | 9/1948-10/1948 | 6 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8715-8718 | 6422-6425 | E1011 | 1/1948-2/1948 | 4 |
| Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) | 1009-1019 | 6581-6591 | E1011 | 9/1948-5/1949 | 11 |
| Peoria & Pekin Union | 404-405 | 6650-6651 | E1016 | 6/1949 | 2 |
| Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf Railway (Missouri Pacific) | 1001 | 6672 | E1020 | 5/1949 | 1 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 550-559 | 6673-6682 | E1086 | 9/1948-11/1948 | 10 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 560-589 | 6683-6712 | E1022 | 1/1949-5/1949 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | 9247-9250 | 6755-6758 | E1024 | 12/1948 | 4 |
| St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) | 260-265 | 6871-6876 | E1032 | 5/1949-6/1949 | 6 |
| Detroit Terminal Railroad | 114-115 | 6994-6995 | E1037 | 5/1949 | 2 |
| New York Central | 8803-8810 | 7177-7184 | E1042 | 11/1949 | 8 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8774-8789 | 7185-7200 | E1043 | 7/1949-9/1949 | 16 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8790-8802 | 7201-7213 | E1230 | 9/1949 | 13 |
| Southern Pacific | 1403-1405 | 7294-7296 | E1045 | 2/1949 | 3 |
| Southern Pacific | 1406-1425 | 7297-7316 | E1045 | 4/1949-6/1949 | 20 |
| Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific) | 72-79 | 7317-7324 | E1045 | 3/1949 | 8 |
| Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific) | 80-88 | 7325-7333 | E1045 | 6/1949-8/1949 | 9 |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Southern Pacific) | 1050-1051 | 7374-7375 | E1047 | 5/1949 | 2 |
| Missouri-Illinois Railroad | 51 | 7376 | E1048 | 7/1949 | 1 |
| Lake Terminal Railroad | 1016-1020 | 7397-7401 | E1052 | 6/1949-8/1949 | 5 |
| Wisconsin Central Railway (Soo Line) | 2108 | 7415 | E1054 | 8/1949 | 1 |
| Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) | 8740-8749 | 7418-7427 | E1056 | 3/1949 | 10 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis | 20-23 | 7429-7432 | E1057 | 10/1949 | 4 |
| Erie Railroad | 417-421 | 7460-7464 | E1062 | 10/1949 | 5 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 424-434 | 7487-7497 | E1068 | 1/1949-5/1949 | 11 |
| Union Railroad | 536-549 | 7516-7529 | E1071 | 8/1948-5/1949 | 15 |
| Wabash Railroad | 351-352 | 7531-7532 | E1075 | 6/1949 | 2 |
| Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis | 564-567 | 7545-7548 | E1077 | 10/1949 | 4 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 2240-2244 | 7549-7553 | E1078 | 10/1949 | 5 |
| Grand Trunk Western | 7974 | 7631 | E1087 | 9/1948 | 1 |
| Boston & Maine | 1210-1213 | 7734-7737 | E1092 | 1/1949 | 4 |
| Boston & Maine | 1208-1209 | 7738-7739 | E1153 | 1/1949 | 2 |
| Colorado & Southern (Burlington) | 153 | 7740 | E1093 | 12/1948 | 1 |
| Great Northern | 151-162 | 7786-7797 | E1098 | 7/1949-11/1949 | 12 |
| Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer | 103-104 | 7807-7808 | E1105 | 8/1949 | 2 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (Lavender Pit) | 1-2 | 7809-7810 | E1106 | 3/1949 | 2 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 119-124 | 7830-7835 | E1112 | 11/1949 | 6 |
| Indiana Northern Railroad | 100 | 7898 | E1114 | 5/1948 | 1 |
| Chicago Great Western | 42 | 7916 | E1123 | 11/1949 | 1 |
| Georgia Railroad | 902-905 | 8022-8025 | E1132 | 3/1949-9/1949 | 4 |
| Bangor & Aroostook | 800-803 | 8157-8160 | E1142 | 4/1949-5/1949 | 4 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 28 | 8412 | E1160 | 12/1948 | 1 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9248 | 8492 | E1178 | 11/1949 | 1 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 435-442 | 8519-8526 | E1181 | 5/1949 | 8 |
| Union Railroad | 550-555 | 8534-8539 | E1186 | 10/1949-11/1949 | 6 |
| Chicago Great Western | 30-31 | 8603-8604 | E1192 | 3/1949 | 2 |
| Jacksonville Terminal | 33-35 | 8703-8705 | 6024 | 10/1949 | 3 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 443 | 8706 | E1181 | 5/1949 | 1 |
| Lehigh Valley | 182-183, 180-181 | 8708-8711 | E1210 | 6/1949 | 4 |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway (Southern Pacific) | 1052-1053 | 8751-8752 | E1217 | 11/1949 | 2 |
| Erie Railroad | 422-427 | 8911-8916 | E1233 | 11/1949 | 6 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation (New Cornelia Branch Mine) | 4-5 | 8960-8961 | E1235 | 11/1949 | 2 |
| Jacksonville Terminal | 36 | 9087 | 6024 | 10/1949 | 1 |
| Lehigh Valley | 184-186 | 9142-9144 | E1252 | 9/1949 | 3 |
| Kansas City Southern | 1222-1226 | 9154-9158 | 4001 | 10/1949 | 5 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8811-8814 | 9456-9459 | E1267 | 10/1949 | 4 |
| Indiana Harbor Belt | 8815-8834 | 9461-9480 | E1267 | 12/1949 | 20 |
| River Terminal Railway | 60 | 9748 | E1284 | 8/1949 | 1 |
| Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad | 100-102 | 9749-9751 | E1285 | 7/1949 | 3 |
| Chesapeake & Ohio | 5200-5213 | 10259-10272 | 6019 | 8/1949-11/1949 | 14 |
| Chesapeake & Ohio | 5066-5079 | 10367-10380 | 6021 | 6/1949-8/1949 | 14 |
| Chesapeake & Ohio | 5060-5065 | 10381-10386 | 6023 | 9/1949 | 6 |
| Arkansas & Louisiana Missouri Railway | 10 | 10598 | 6036 | 10/1949 | 1 |
Export
(Total Built = 24)
These NW2's were built at La Grange for Canadian National and Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo.
| Owner | Road Number | Serial Number | Order Number | Completion Date | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian National | 7936-7945 | 4107-4116 | E761 | 11/1946-12/1946 | 10 |
| Canadian National | 7956-7965 | 5152-5161 | E874 | 11/1947-12/1947 | 10 |
| Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo | 51-54 | 5703-5706 | E938 | 11/1947-12/1947 | 4 |
* Became Union Pacific #1000.
Sources
- EMD. Operating Manual #2303: 600 & 1000 HP Switching Locomotives (Models SW1 & NW2; 567 & 567A Engines). La Grange: Electro-Motive Division (General Motors Corporation).
- EMD. Operating Manual #2303: 600 & 1200 HP Switching Locomotives (Models SW1 & SW7; 567 Series Engines). La Grange: Electro-Motive Division (General Motors Corporation), January, 1950 (5th Edition).
- Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
- Hayden, Bob. Diesel Locomotives: Cyclopedia, Volume 2 (Model Railroader). Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1980.
- Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.
- Solomon, Brian. EMD Locomotives. Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.
Baltimore & Ohio NW2's #9544 and #9543 layover in Cincinnati, Ohio; March, 1975. American-Rails.com collection.However, the TR2 was fairly successful as thirty-six sets were acquired by the Belt Railway of Chicago, Milwaukee Road, Burlington, Chicago & North Western, Chicago Great Western, Illinois Central, and Southern.
Production on the NW2 began in May, 1939 when Minneapolis & St. Louis D-139 rolled out of LaGrange. It remained in the catalog until 1949 when Arkansas & Louisiana Missouri concluded the line in October of that year.
Today, the versatility and reliability of these small switchers speaks for itself as many NW2s remain in use in all types of applications.
Recent Articles
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Historic Blizzard Paralyzes the U.S. Northeast, Halts Rail Traffic
Feb 23, 26 05:10 PM
A powerful winter blizzard sweeping the northeastern United States on Monday, February 23, 2026, has brought transportation networks to a near standstill. -
Mt. Rainier Railroad Moves to Buy Tacoma’s Mountain Division
Feb 23, 26 02:27 PM
A long-idled rail corridor that threads through the foothills of Mount Rainier could soon have a new owner and operator. -
BNSF Activates PTC on Former Montana Rail Link Territory
Feb 23, 26 01:15 PM
BNSF Railway has fully implemented Positive Train Control (PTC) on what it now calls the Montana Rail Link (MRL) Subdivision. -
Cincinnati Scenic Railway To Acquire B&O GP30
Feb 23, 26 12:17 PM
The Cincinnati Scenic Railway, through an agreement with the Raritan Central Railway, to acquire former B&O GP30 #6923, currently lettered as RCRY #5. -
Texas Dinner Train Rides On The TSR
Feb 23, 26 11:54 AM
Today, TSR markets itself as a round-trip, four-hour, 25-mile journey between Palestine and Rusk—an easy day trip (or date-night centerpiece) with just the right amount of history baked in. -
Iowa Dinner Train Rides On The B&SV
Feb 23, 26 11:53 AM
If you’ve ever wished you could pair a leisurely rail journey with a proper sit-down meal—white tablecloths, big windows, and countryside rolling by—the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum in Boon… -
North Carolina Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 23, 26 11:48 AM
A noteworthy way to explore North Carolina's beauty is by hopping aboard the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and sipping fine wine! -
Nevada Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 23, 26 11:43 AM
While it may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine, you can sip this delight by train in Nevada at the Nevada Northern Railway. -
Reading & Northern Surpasses 1M Tons Of Coal For 3rd Year
Feb 22, 26 11:57 PM
Reading & Northern Railroad (R&N), the largest privately owned railroad in Pennsylvania, has shipped more than one million tons of Anthracite coal for the third straight year. This was an impressive f… -
Minnesota's Northstar Commuter Rail Ends Service
Feb 22, 26 11:43 PM
Metro Transit has confirmed that Northstar service between downtown Minneapolis (Target Field Station) and Big Lake has ceased, with expanded bus service along the corridor beginning Jan. 5, 2026. -
Tri-Rail Sets New Ridership Record in 2025
Feb 22, 26 11:24 PM
South Florida’s commuter rail service Tri-Rail has achieved a new annual ridership milestone, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers in calendar year 2025. -
CSX Completes Major Upgrades at Willard Yard
Feb 22, 26 11:14 PM
In a significant boost to freight rail operations in the Midwest, CSX Transportation announced in January that it has finished a comprehensive series of infrastructure improvements at its Willard Yard… -
New Hampshire Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 22, 26 09:39 AM
This article details New Hampshire's most enchanting wine tasting trains, where every sip is paired with breathtaking views and a touch of adventure. -
New Jersey Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 22, 26 09:37 AM
If you're seeking a unique outing or a memorable way to celebrate a special occasion, wine tasting train rides in New Jersey offer an experience unlike any other. -
Nevada Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides
Feb 22, 26 09:36 AM
Seamlessly blending the romance of train travel with the allure of a theatrical whodunit, these excursions promise suspense, delight, and an unforgettable journey through Nevada’s heart. -
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Feb 22, 26 09:34 AM
For those looking to combine the allure of a train ride with an engaging whodunit, the murder mystery dinner trains offer a uniquely thrilling experience. -
New York Central 4-8-2 #3001 To Be Restored
Feb 22, 26 12:29 AM
New York Central 4-8-2 No. 3001—an L-3a “Mohawk”—is the centerpiece of a major operational restoration effort being led by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) and its American Locomotiv… -
Norfolk Southern To Buy 40 New Wabtec ES44ACs
Feb 21, 26 11:52 PM
Norfolk Southern has announced it will acquire 40 brand-new Wabtec ES44AC locomotives, marking the Class I railroad’s first purchase of new locomotives since 2022. -
CPKC To Buy 65 New Progress Rail SD70ACe-T4s
Feb 21, 26 11:28 PM
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is moving to refresh and expand its road fleet with a new-build order from Progress Rail, announcing an agreement for 65 EMD SD70ACe-T4 Tier 4 diesel-electric freig… -
Ohio Rail Commission Approves Two Projects
Feb 21, 26 11:09 PM
At its January 22 bi-monthly meeting, the Ohio Rail Development Commission approved grant funding for two rail infrastructure projects that together will yield nearly $400,000 in investment to improve… -
CSX Completes Avon Yard Hump Lead Extension
Feb 21, 26 03:38 PM
CSX says it has finished a key infrastructure upgrade at its Avon Yard in Indianapolis, completing the “cutover” of a newly extended hump lead that the railroad expects will improve yard fluidity. -
Pinsly Restores Freight Service On Alabama Short Line
Feb 21, 26 12:55 PM
After more than a year without trains, freight rail service has returned to a key industrial corridor in southern Alabama. -
Phoenix City Council Pulls the Plug on Capitol Light Rail Extension
Feb 21, 26 12:19 PM
In a pivotal decision that marks a dramatic shift in local transportation planning, the Phoenix City Council voted to end the long-planned Capitol light rail extension project. -
Norfolk Southern Unveils Advanced Wheel Integrity System
Feb 21, 26 11:06 AM
In a bid to further strengthen rail safety and defect detection, Norfolk Southern Railway has introduced a cutting-edge Wheel Integrity System, marking what the Class I carrier calls a significant bre… -
CPKC Sets New January Grain-Haul Record
Feb 21, 26 10:31 AM
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) says it has opened 2026 with a new benchmark in Canadian grain transportation, announcing that the railway moved a record volume of grain and grain products in Janu… -
New Documentary Charts Iowa Interstate's History
Feb 21, 26 12:40 AM
A newly released documentary is shining a spotlight on one of the Midwest’s most distinctive regional railroads: the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS). -
LA Metro’s A Line Extension Study Forecasts $1.1B in Economic Output
Feb 21, 26 12:38 AM
The next eastern push of LA Metro’s A Line—extending light-rail service beyond Pomona to Claremont—has gained fresh momentum amid new economic analysis projecting more than $1.1 billion in economic ou… -
Age of Steam Acquires B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 (2025)
Feb 21, 26 12:33 AM
When the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum rolled out B&LE 2-10-4 No. 643 for public viewing in 2025, it wasn’t simply a new exhibit debuting under roof—it was the culmination of one of preservation’s lo… -
NCDOT Study: Restoring Asheville Passenger Rail Offers Economic Lift
Feb 21, 26 12:26 AM
A revived passenger rail connection between Salisbury and Asheville could do far more than bring trains back to the mountains for the first time in decades could offer considerable economic benefits. -
Brightline Unveils ‘Freedom Express’ To Commemorate America’s 250th
Feb 20, 26 11:36 AM
Brightline, the privately operated passenger railroad based in Florida, this week unveiled its new Freedom Express train to honor the nation's 250th anniversary. -
Age of Steam Roundhouse Adds C&O No. 1308
Feb 20, 26 10:53 AM
In late September 2025, the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek, Ohio, announced it had acquired Chesapeake & Ohio 2-6-6-2 No. 1308. -
Reading & Northern Announces 2026 Excursions
Feb 20, 26 10:08 AM
Immediately upon the conclusion of another record-breaking year of ridership in 2025, the Reading & Northern Passenger Department has already begun its 2026 schedule of all-day rail excursion. -
Siemens Mobility Tapped To Modernize Tri-Rail Fleet
Feb 20, 26 09:47 AM
South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter service is preparing for a significant motive-power upgrade after the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) announced it has selected Siemens Mobili… -
Reading T-1 No. 2100 Restoration Progress
Feb 20, 26 09:36 AM
One of the most famous survivors of Reading Company’s big, fast freight-era steam—4-8-4 T-1 No. 2100—is inching closer to an operating debut after a restoration that has stretched across a decade and… -
C&O Kanawha No. 2716: A Third Chance at Steam
Feb 20, 26 09:32 AM
In the world of large, mainline-capable steam locomotives, it’s rare for any one engine to earn a third operational career. Yet that is exactly the goal for Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2716. -
Missouri Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 20, 26 09:29 AM
The fusion of scenic vistas, historical charm, and exquisite wines is beautifully encapsulated in Missouri's wine tasting train experiences. -
Minnesota Wine Tasting Train Rides
Feb 20, 26 09:26 AM
This article takes you on a journey through Minnesota's wine tasting trains, offering a unique perspective on this novel adventure. -
Kansas Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides
Feb 20, 26 09:23 AM
Kansas, known for its sprawling wheat fields and rich history, hides a unique gem that promises both intrigue and culinary delight—murder mystery dinner trains. -
Florida Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides
Feb 20, 26 09:20 AM
Florida, known for its vibrant culture, dazzling beaches, and thrilling theme parks, also offers a unique blend of mystery and fine dining aboard its murder mystery dinner trains. -
NC&StL “Dixie” No. 576 Nears Steam Again
Feb 20, 26 09:15 AM
One of the South’s most famous surviving mainline steam locomotives is edging closer to doing what it hasn’t done since the early 1950s, operate under its own power. -
Frisco 2-10-0 No. 1630 Continues Overhaul
Feb 19, 26 03:58 PM
In late April 2025, the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) made a difficult but safety-minded call: sideline its famed St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 2-10-0 No. 1630. -
PennDOT Pushes Forward Scranton–New York Passenger Rail Plan
Feb 19, 26 12:14 PM
Pennsylvania’s long-discussed idea of restoring passenger trains between Scranton and New York City is moving into a more formal planning phase. -
CSX Advances Locomotive Technology to Cut Fuel Use and Emissions
Feb 19, 26 09:43 AM
CSX recently highlighted major progress on its ongoing efforts to reduce fuel consumption, cut greenhouse-gas emissions, and improve operational efficiency across its freight rail network through adva… -
Ohio Railway Museum Unveils “Vision for the Future” Plan
Feb 19, 26 09:39 AM
The Ohio Railway Museum (ORM), one of the nation’s oldest all-volunteer rail preservation organizations, has laid out an ambitious blueprint aimed at transforming its organization. -
B&O Railroad Museum Unveils $38M Expansion
Feb 19, 26 09:24 AM
Western Maryland Railway F7 236 points towards the Mount Clare Roundhouse in Baltimore as part of the B&O Museum. -
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic To Repower Two FPA4s
Feb 19, 26 09:21 AM
A pair of classic, streamlined Alco/MLW FPA4 locomotives that have become signature power on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) are slated for a major mechanical transformation. -
Ohio's Dinner Train Rides At The CVSR
Feb 19, 26 09:18 AM
While the railroad is well known for daytime sightseeing and seasonal events, one of its most memorable offerings is its evening dining program—an experience that blends vintage passenger-car ambience… -
Indiana Dinner Train Rides In Jasper
Feb 19, 26 09:16 AM
In the rolling hills of southern Indiana, the Spirit of Jasper offers one of those rare attractions that feels equal parts throwback and treat-yourself night out: a classic excursion train paired with… -
New Hampshire Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides
Feb 19, 26 09:12 AM
The state's murder mystery trains stand out as a captivating blend of theatrical drama, exquisite dining, and scenic rail travel. -
New York Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides
Feb 19, 26 09:07 AM
New York State, renowned for its vibrant cities and verdant countryside, offers a plethora of activities for locals and tourists alike, including murder mystery train rides!
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