Extra 2200 South, The Best Source For Roster Information And Diesel Locomotive Dispositions
Other features found in Extra 2200 South include: · Industrial switching operations · Locomotive manufacturers · Service and maintenance contractors · Locomotive leasing companies · Government and regulatory agencies For a better idea of what you can find in a typical issue of Extra 2000 South please click here to see excerpts from past publications. While keeping up with the latest roster changes of countless railroads across the country is part of the lure that drives folks to subscribe to Extra 2200 South, much of the interest is also due to the interest in historic locomotive models, such as those built by Alco, Fairbanks-Morse, Baldwin, and early EMD/EMC units (and to some extent, also early GEs).
Of course, Alco (American Locomotive Company) remains a celebrity builder even though its last locomotive rolled out of Schenectady, New York back in 1969. Much of the interest in Alco is due to its unique model designs, which, particularly like the RS series, are now legendary for their longevity (albeit they can sometimes be troublesome to maintain). And, since many Alco models remain in active revenue service on shortlines, the interest in the builder's locomotives remains strong. Baldwin's locomotives also appeal to many railfans, although because there are neither as many around nor a large collection still used in active freight service, the interest is not quite as strong as with Alco models. Still, their rarity is part of their appeal and you can sometimes find one still plodding along in various corners of the country. Lastly, of course, is EMD, who still has thousands of first-generation diesel locomotives in active service on shortline and Regional railroads ranging from switchers, GP7s, and GP9s to early six-axle units. EMD originally began as the Electro-Motive Corporation and has its beginnings in 1922 being based out of Cleveland, Ohio building inexpensive motorcars. With the purchase of the company in 1930 by General Motor, and more resources at its disposal the company began developing the precursor of the modern-day diesel-electric road unit (cabs and road-switchers), the streamlined trainset, which consisted of a powered car permanently attached to a few coaches (usually two or three cars). The most famous of these streamlined trainsets was the Burlington Zephyrs, a beautiful streamlined stainless steel creation (originally powered by Winton engines, which would also become a subsidiary of GM) that was extremely lightweight and fast. The original trainset, the Zephyr 9900, made headlines in 1934 when it completed a non-stop journey from Denver to Chicago in a little over 13 hours.
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