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EMD "GP7" Locomotives

Last revised: February 2, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The GP7 began Electro-Motive's foray into the road-switcher market.  It was the builder's first, true such design and became a massive success.  From a historical perspective it was a landmark model, selling more than 2,700 examples in just a short five year production run. 

The GP7 witnessed more than twice the sales of Alco's RS3, the only other road-switcher with comparable success.  Its history began in 1948 when EMD unveiled its so-called "Branch Line" locomotive, the BL2.  

This interesting concept was a hybrid full width cab unit and road-switcher.  As the name implies it was intended to operate in branch line service, displacing aging steam engines on secondary corridors and completing dieselization for most railroads. 

Unfortunately, it found little interest and EMD ended production after only a year.   However, General Motors' subsidiary persevered, unveiling the GP7 in 1949 and all but completing EMD's dominance during the diesel's first generation era.

Photos

gp7_demo.jpgAn Electro-Motive photo featuring GP7 demonstrator #100 in late 1949.

Overview

By the late 1940s, most railroads had acquired at least a few examples of road service diesels, if not completing dieselization altogether (Gulf, Mobile & Ohio).  Most, though, continued to operate some steam locomotives in secondary assignments well into the 1950s.

As Brian Solomon notes in his book, "EMD Locomotives," the standard F and E series models were not only expensive but also ill-suited for branch line work.  These lines usually contained many local customers, requiring a great of switching for which the cab units were ill-suited.

EMD's oddball BL2 was designed to do just that but failed to capture much interest.  Going back to the drawing board the builder unveiled the first in its General Purpose series in 1949, the GP7.  

This locomotive resembled road-switchers then being offered by Alco and Baldwin; an offset cab featuring a short hood at one end and long hood at the other.  These hoods were inset, allowing for walkways around the locomotive as well as improved sightlines from the cab.

Illinois Central GP7 #8900 works local service at Graymont, Illinois on February 19, 1958. Today, few traces of this line remain. Author's collection.

Design

Most railroads had no interest in spending so lavishly for diesels intended only secondary branch line service.  To enable complete dieselization, EMD designed the GP7 as cheaply as possible.  Spearheading the effort was EMD's chief engineer, Richard "Dick" Dilworth, who was instrumental in the development of the phenomenally successful FT. 

175912941871626175178698018927.jpgRio Grande GP7 #5104 leads a string of livestock and boxcars southbound along U.S. 285 outside of Alamosa, Colorado during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

Another key figure was John Markestein, who then headed EMD's styling department.  Dilworth began with the failed BL2.  He replaced the full length hood with a narrower design and off-set the cab, allowing for a short lead hood.   However, it carried its own stylish appearance with flush lines and tapering at each end. The roof line carried similar clean lines

Dubbed the "General Purpose" (GP) series, or 'Geep' for short, the GP7 debuted in October, 1949 when demonstrator #922 was unveiled.  The unit was later renumbered 100 and eventually sold to the Chicago & North Western as #1518.

Rio Grande GP7 #5108 is seen here at work in Pueblo, Colorado circa 1970. Robert Eastwood, Jr. photo. American-Rails.com collection.

To keep costs down, EMD incorporated as many redundancies into the model as possible, enabling the GP7 to perform practically any task from switching and branch line assignments to general road service.  In addition, the model was offered with an optional steam generator for passenger or commuter assignments. 

The locomotive's low cost enabled railroads to justify retiring their remaining steam locomotives.  Even holdouts like the Norfolk & Western acquired large rosters of General Purpose locomotives; the N&W purchased more than 300 GP9s between 1955-1959 and continued adding later variants throughout the 1960s.

Santa Fe GP7 #2758 and a CF7 in Temple, Texas, circa 1980. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

In fact, the GP's practicality and redundancy suited railroads so well that EMD's once-popular streamlined models, which had sold thousands through the early 1950s, quickly fell out of favor.  The builder's F9 saw just 192 examples built for domestic railroads, and another 66 for Mexican and Canadian lines.

It's the early Erie Lackawanna era as a group of former Erie Railroad GP7's layover between assignments in March, 1964. Photographer and location not listed on slide. Author's collection.

The GP7 utilized EMD's standard prime mover at the time - also found in the popular F7 - the 16-cylinder, model 567B.  Internal components were also similar; a model D12B main generator, D27C traction motors, and Blomberg trucks.   The GP7 was offered in six different gear ratios, depending on a railroad's needs.

2765823592834723762752786892307.jpgMissouri Pacific GP7 #1690 works local service at Austin, Texas on December 1, 1980. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Reception

EMD manufactured four demonstrators; #922 (renumbered 100), #200, #300, and #525 to tour the country, clad in an elegant blue and silver livery. Sales for the locomotive took off quickly.  Interestingly, the Santa Fe even acquired five cabless GP7Bs in 1953.  This trend continued with the later GP9 with Union Pacific and Pennsylvania acquiring 165 examples "B" units.

7800102481623515231g41y5h1869708.jpgRock Island GP7 #1278 lays over at the small engine house in Peoria, Illinois, circa 1955. American-Rails.com collection.

The ruggedness and reliability of EMD's 567 engine block saw GP7s remain in service on many Class 1 systems for decades.  Some roads, like the Santa Fe and Illinois Central, carried out extensive rebuild programs to extend the lives of these locomotives for several more years.

Interestingly, these rebuilds can still be found in service today on short lines.  In addition, there are some standard GP7s still handling freight assignments while numerous others have been preserved at museums and heritage railroads.

Data Sheet

Entered Production10/1949 (Demonstrator #922)
Years Produced10/1949 - 5/1954 (4/1953 for GP7B)
Engine567B
Engine BuilderGM
Horsepower1500
RPM800
Cylinders16
Length55' 11"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)14' 6"
Width10' 3"
Weight (Average)240,000 Lbs
Fuel Capacity800 Gallons
Air CompressorGardner-Denver
Air Compressor ModelWBO
Air Brake ManufacturerWestinghouse
Air Brake Schedule6BL
TrucksB-B
Truck TypeBlomberg
Truck Wheelbase9'
Wheel Size40"
Traction MotorsD27C (4), GM
Primary GeneratorD12B, GM
Auxiliary GeneratorDelco
AlternatorD14
Steam Generator (Optional)Vapor-Clarkson (Model 4625)
MU (Multiple-Unit)Yes
Dynamic BrakesYes
Gear Ratios65:12, 62:15, 61:16, 60:17, 59:18, 58:19
Tractive Efforts (Continuous)52,400 (65:12); 40,000 (62:15); 37,000 (61:16); 34,000 (60:17); 32,000 (59:18); 29,509 (58:19)
Top Speed55 mph (65:12), 65 mph (62:15), 71 mph (61:16), 77 mph (60:17), 83 mph (59:18), 90 (58:19)

Production Roster

Total Built = 2,729

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Order Number Completion Date
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 700-704 (equipped with SW trucks) 7439-7443 5000 1/1950
Kansas City Southern (Louisiana & Arkansas) 150-154 7893-7897 5001 10/1951
Missouri Pacific 4142-4149 8670-8677 5005 7/1950
Atlanta & West Point 571 8868 5007 2/1950
Western Railway of Alabama (West Point Route) 521 8869 5008 2/1950
Georgia Railroad 1021 8871 5009 4/1950
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 203-212 8872-8881 5010 3/1950-4/1950
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 213-216 8894-8897 5010 4/1950
Georgia Railroad 1023-1024 9077-9078 5048 10/1950
Georgia Railroad 1022 9081 08/50 (5031)
Western Railway of Alabama (West Point Route) 522-523 9082-9083 5053 8/1950
New York Central 5600-5607 9227-9234 5012 8/1950
New York Central 5608-5609 9235-9236 6125 8/1950
Central of Georgia 120-122 9661-9663 5059 5/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 500-510 9900-9910 5019 2/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 511-514 9911-9914 6080 6/1950
Bangor & Aroostook 560-571 9933-9944 5016 10/1950-11/1950
Bangor & Aroostook 572-575 9945-9948 5068 8/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5700-5709 10129-10138 6010 4/1950, 6/1950
Chesapeake & Ohio 5715-5719 10139-10143 5020 4/1950, 6/1950
Southern (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific) 6200-6203 10146-10149 6032 4/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 515-519 10188-10192 6013 6/1950
Atlantic Coast Line 100-103 10217-10220 5022 5/1950
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 217-222 10245-10250 6015 5/1950-5/1950
Chesapeake & Ohio 5710-5714 10532-10536 6028 3/1950-4/1950
Texas-Mexican 850 10537 6029 6/1950
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 705 (equipped with SW trucks) 10546 5000 1/1950
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 706-715 10547-10556 5024 9/1950
St Louis Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt) 320 10736 6038 6/1950
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) 922, renumbered 100 (became Chicago & North Western #1518) 10852 (sold on 6184) 10/1949
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) 300 (became Chicago & North Western #1520) 10866 (sold on 6218) 1/1950
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) 200 (became Chicago & North Western #1519) 10867 (sold on 6184) 11/1949
Northern Pacific 550-551 10940-10941 6055 2/1950
Southern (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific) 6204-6205 10977-10978 6032 4/1950
Southern (Alabama Great Southern) 6540-6544 10979-10983 6067 5/1950
Southern (Georgia Southern & Florida) 8210-8213 10984-10987 6068 5/1950
Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) 1110-1116 11018-11024 6063 3/1950
Great Northern 606-622 11032-11048 5029 9/1950-10/1950
Great Northern 600-605 11049-11054 6117 11/1950
Georgia & Florida 701-706 11091-11096 6069 9/1950
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) 1501-1509 11117-11125 6074 4/1950
Texas-Mexican 851 11127 6029 6/1950
Atlantic Coast Line 104-122 11129-11147 5022 5/1950
Western Maryland 20-23 11228-11231 6084 4/1950
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 719-728 11238-11247 5032 2/1951
Seaboard Air Line 1745-1752 11341-11348 5033 11/1950
Denver & Rio Grande Western 5101-5104 11425-11428 5034 10/1950
Seaboard Air Line 1704-1711 11495-11502 6096 4/1950
Seaboard Air Line 1700-1703 11503-11506 6097 5/1950
Missouri Pacific 4124-4141 11528-11545 6099 6/1950-7/1950
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4121-4123 11546-11548 6100 7/1950
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4116-4120 11549-11553 6101 7/1950
Seaboard Air Line 1712-1729 11588-11605 6105 5/1950-6/1950
Rock Island 430-441 11682-11693 6109 7/1950-8/1950
New York Central 5610-5611 11772-11773 6125 8/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 520-524 11794-11798 6013 6/1950
Erie Railroad 1200-1201 11823-11824 6119 8/1950
Erie Railroad 1202-1209 11834-11841 5038 10/1950
Atlanta & West Point 572 11876 5047 8/1950
Atlantic Coast Line 123-132 11914-11923 5040 9/1950-10/1950
Texas-Mexican 852 11937 5041 4/1951
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 750-752 11959-11961 5043 8/1950
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 716-718 11962-11964 5024 9/1950
Columbia, Newberry & Laurens 100 11968 6130 11/1950
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 753 11982 5043 8/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 525-534 11983-11992 5045 10/1950-11/1950
Wabash Railroad 450-452 11993-11995 5046 8/1950-9/1950
Georgia Railroad 1025-1026 12000-12001 5048 10/1950
Columbia, Newberry & Laurens 101-102 12002-12003 6130 11/1950
Erie Railroad 1210-1223 12004-12017 5038 10/1950, 12/1950
Erie Railroad 1401-1403 12018-12020 5057 12/1950
Erie Railroad 1400 12021 5058 12/1950
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) 1510-1519 12058-12067 5049 1/1951-2/1951
Central of Georgia 106-107 12068-12069 5004 7/1950
Seaboard Air Line 1730-1744 12088-12102 5070 11/1950
Santa Fe 2650-2654 12196-12200 6156 10/1950, 12/1950
Santa Fe 2673-2682 12201-12210 5054 2/1951
Erie Railroad 1224-1227 12242-12245 5055 3/1951
Illinois Central 8950 12257 5056 11/1950
Illinois Central 8900 12258 6168 11/1950
Clinchfield 900-907 12295-12302 5006 12/1950
Maine Central 561-565 12362-12366 6147 10/1950
Maine Central 571-573 12367-12369 6152 9/1950-10/1950
Boston & Maine 1555-1560 12373-12378 6149 9/1950
Boston & Maine 1561-1562 12379-12380 6165 12/1950
Louisville & Nashville 400-405 12386-12391 5067 04/1951
Pennsylvania 8797-8806 12395-12404 5060 1/1952
Soo Line 375-376 12445-12446 6151 9/1950
Detroit & Toledo Shore Line 41-42 12459-12460 5062 1/1951
Missouri Pacific 4166-4180 12571-12585 5064 3/1951, 5/1951
Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 102 12605 5066 12/1950
Charleston & Western Carolina 200-201 12897-12898 6187 10/1950
Charleston & Western Carolina 202-210 12899-12907 6170 10/1950
Louisville & Nashville 406-407 12911-12912 5067 cont'd 4/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 535-540 12919-12924 5045 11/1950-12/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 563-572 12925-12934 5069 3/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 543-549, 555-556 12935-12943 5080 4/1951-5/1951
Peoria & Eastern (New York Central) 5612-5623 12998-13009 6173 11/1950-12/1950
Peoria & Eastern (New York Central) 5624-5625 13010-13011 6196 12/1950
Georgia Railroad 1027-1028 13024-13025 5073 1/1951
Atlanta & West Point 573-574 13026-13027 5094 1/1951
Santa Fe 2655-2662 13159-13166 5054 9/1950-12/1950
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 200-214 13169-13183 5072 9/1951
Santa Fe 2663-2672 13184-13193 5054 1/1951
Santa Fe 2683-2697 13194-13208 5081 5/1951
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 227-228 13264-13265 6189 12/1950-1/1951
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 223-224 13266-13267 6190 1/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 573-597 13306-13330 5074 8/1951-11/1951
Great Northern 623-649 13336-13362 5076 4/1951-6/1951
Great Northern 650-652 13363-13365 5113 6/1951
Seaboard Air Line 1753-1769 13366-13382 6193 12/50-01/51
Seaboard Air Line 1770-1782 13383-13395 6200 01,03/51
Southern 2156-2165 13460-13469 5078 04/51
Southern 2166-2180 13470-13484 5117 6/1951-7/1951
Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 101 13511 6197 12/1950
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 541-542 13533-13534 5045 12/1950
Clinchfield 908-911 13535-13538 5006 12/1950
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 225-226 13541-13542 6190 1/1951
Colorado Fuel & Iron Company 101-102 13551-13552 6219 3/1951
Portland Terminal (Maine) 1081 13553 6208 12/1950
New York, Chicago & St Louis (Nickel Plate Road) 400-412 13692-13704 6209 1/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 187-217 13867-13897 5050 5/1951-6/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 153-172 13898-13917 5087 2/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 133-152 13918-13937 5099 2/1951-3/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 177-186 13938-13947 5100 7/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 173-176 13948-13951 5101 5/1951
Soo Line 377-378 14007-14008 5079 2/1951-3/1951
Illinois Central 8951-8952 14009-14010 5082 3/1951
Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) 1117-1118 14020-14021 6243 4/1951
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 951-954 14059-14062 5083 8/1951
Northern Pacific 552-553 14093-14094 5098 4/1951
Northern Pacific 554 14111 5098 4/1951
New York Central 5626-5675 14188-14237 5052 7/1951-11/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 557-562, 598-605 14238-14251 5091 11/1951
Chicago & North Western 1521-1524 14288-14291 5114 4/1951
Chicago & North Western 1525-1550 14292-14317 5089 3/1951-4/1951
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4164-4165 14318-14319 6260 4/1951
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4159-4163 14320-14324 6259 4/1951
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4153-4158 14330-14335 6258 3/1951
Missouri Pacific 4181-4194 14336-14349 5064 5/1951
Missouri Pacific 4150-4152 14350-14352 6257 5/1951
Illinois Central 8901 14390 5127 5/1951
Belt Railway of Chicago 470-471 14392-14393 6248 5/1951
Rock Island 1200-1211 14396-14407 6273 6/1951-7/1951
Wabash 454-458 14408-14412 6277 7/1951
Wabash 454-462 14413-14416 6278 7/1951
Wabash 463 14417 6279 7/1951
Denver & Rio Grande Western 5104-5108 14429-14433 5093 6/1952
Louisville & Nashville 500-505 14459-14464 5116 4/1951
Central of Georgia 123 14479 5059 5/1951
Central of Georgia 124-132 14480-14488 5118 4/1951-5/1951
Rock Island 1212 14506 6273 7/1951
Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) 1119-1124 14550-14555 5108 8/1951
Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia 707-708 14569-14570 6303 4/1951
Atlantic & East Carolina 501 14571 6299 5/1951
Aberdeen & Rockfish 205 14572 5086 10/1951
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) 5676-5681 14573-14578 5120 9/1951
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) 5682-5685 14579-14582 6306 9/1951
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 231-232 14655-14656 6298 9/1951
Chicago & Eastern Illinois 229-230 14657-14658 6365 8/1951-9/1951
Chicago & North Western (Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha) 151-156 14667-14672 6297 7/1951-8/1951
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 215-239 14679-14703 5072 9/1951
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 240-249 14704-14713 5148 11/1952
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 950-954 14714-14718 5103 8/1951
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 955-961 16962-16968 5164 12/1952-1/1953
Chicago Great Western 120-121 14719-14720 5102 9/1951
Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia 709 14740 6303 8/1951
Maine Central 574 14755 6301 10/1951
Charleston & Western Carolina 211-219 14943-14951 5095 12/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 234-249 14952-14967 5125 8/1951-10/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 224-233 14968-14977 5141 11/1951-12/1951
Atlantic Coast Line 218-223 14978-14983 5142 12/1951
Georgia Railroad 1029 14984 5135 9/1951
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) 1520-1527 14987-14994 6323 11/1951
Wabash 464 15048 5171 2/1952
Wabash 465-473 15049-15057 5129 2/1952
Rock Island 1213-1224 15172-15183 5111 9/1951-11/1951
Rock Island 1225-1237 15184-15196 5151 9/1951-12/1951
Belt Railway of Chicago 472-475 15203-15206 6275 11/1951
Chesapeake & Ohio 5739-5797 15245-15303 5085 10/1951-1/1952
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis 754 15321 6326 11/1951
New York Central 5686-5708 15460-15482 5104 3/1952-4/1952
New York Central 5709-5712 15483-15486 6345 3/1952
Detroit & Toledo Shore Line 43-44 15525-15526 5109 11/1951
Seaboard Air Line 1783-1797 15527-15541 6251 1/1952-2/1952
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 606-618 15573-15585 5112 1/1952
Charleston & Western Carolina 220 15599 5095 12/1951
Columbia Newberry & Laurens 103-104 15600-15601 5166 12/1951
Western Railway of Alabama (West Point Route) 524 15625 5092 10/1952
Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf 801-802 15632-15633 6347 01/1952
Toledo, Peoria & Western 102-103 15634-15635 5105 1/1952
Northern Pacific 555-558 15687-15690 5154 3/1952
U.S. Army 1821-1840 (equipped with SW trucks) 15691-15710 7012 8/1951-9/1951
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 956-965 15717-15726 6339 4/1952-5/1952
Colorado & Wyoming 103-104 15746-15747 6270 12/1951
Boston & Maine 1563-1571 15786-15794 6337 2/1952-3/1952
Santa Fe 2698-2722 15798-15822 5110 1/1952-2/1952
Texas & Pacific (Missouri Pacific) 1125-1130 15824-15829 6359 4/1952
Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf 803-804 15845-15846 6347 1/1952
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 619-632 15847-15860 5167 2/1952
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 955 15866 6364 10/1951
Illinois Central 8800 15894 6362 1/1952
Erie Railroad 1228-1230 15937-15939 6357 2/1952
Atlanta & St Andrews Bay 501-502 15943-15944 6367 1/1952
Atlantic Coast Line 250-253 15945-15948 6372 12/1951
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4203-4207 16118-16122 5177 4/1952
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4249-4251 16123-16125 5178 4/1952
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4197-4202 16126-16131 5179 7/1952
Missouri Pacific 4208-4240 16132-16164 5130 2/1952-4/1952
Missouri Pacific 4241-4248 16165-16172 5176 4/1952-5/1952
Erie Railroad 1231-1233 16175-16177 6377 4/1952
Detroit & Toledo Shore Line 45-49 16203-16207 5153 4/1952
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) 5713-5724 16340-16351 6369 5/1952-6/1952
Santa Fe 2723-2747 16367-16391 5145 5/1952-8/1952
Illinois Central 8953-8957 16400-16404 5122 4/1952
Illinois Central 8850-8851 16405-16406 5192 4/1952
Rock Island 1300-1311 16447-16458 5131 3/1952-5/1952
Rock Island 1250-1262 16459-16471 5136 7/1952
Soo Line 381-383 16479-16481 5158 6/1952-7/1952
Southern 2181-2196 16501-16516 5208 5/1952-6/1952
Denver & Rio Grande Western 5109-5113 16543-16547 5093 6/1952
Reading 660-664 16683-16687 5180 6/1952
Reading 601-603 16688-16690 5191 7/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5800-5811 16692-16703 6393 5/1952-6/1952
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 250-252 16711-16713 5148 11/1952
Pennsylvania 8500-8501 16756-16757 5169 8/1952
Pennsylvania 8503-8507 16758-16762 5194 8/2952
Pennsylvania 8508-8512 16763-16767 5195 8/1952
Pennsylvania 8502 16768 5196 8/1952
Chicago & North Western 1575-1599, 1601-1603 16844-16871 5123 6/1952-8/1952
Chicago & North Western 1557-1559, 1562-1564 16872-16877 5205 9/1952
Chicago & North Western 1565-1574 16878-16887 5206 8/1952
Chicago & North Western 1556 16888 5198 8/1952
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 27 16890 5161 6/1952
Chicago & North Western (Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha) 157-159 16891-16893 6398 6/1952
Chicago & North Western (Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha) 160-161 16894-16895 6406 8/1952
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 1-2 16896-16897 5160 6/1952
Phelps Dodge Corporation (New Cornelia Branch Mine) 7 16898 5203 6/1952
Reading 600, 604-608 16902-16907 6400 8/1952
Reading 665-666 16908-16909 6411 8/1952
Erie Railroad 1234-1246 16926-16938 5190 9/1952
Erie Railroad 1404 16939 5202 10/1952
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 955-961 16962-16968 5164 12/1952-1/1953
Santa Fe 2748-2772 16975-16999 5152 8/1952-9/1952
Santa Fe 2773-2787 17000-17014 5170 9/1952-10/1952
Santa Fe 2788-2792 17015-17019 5218 3/1953-4/1953
Western Pacific 701-707 17025-17031 5197 10/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5812-5828 17033-17049 5172 10/1952-11/1952
Butte, Anaconda & Pacific 101-102 17050-17051 6425 4/1952
Western Pacific 708-709 17056-17057 5197 10/1952
Georgia Railroad 1030 17064 6428 8/1952
Wabash 475-478 17076-17079 6413 8/1952
Wabash 474 17080 6414 8/1952
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 1761-1764 17082-17085 5150 12/1952
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 1528 17086 5211 12/1952
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 1529 17087 6323 12/1952
New York, Chicago & St Louis (Nickel Plate Road) 413-422 17088-17097 5134 1/1953-2/1953
Central Railroad of New Jersey 1520-1528 17098-17106 6431 11/1952-12/1952
Central Railroad of New Jersey 1529-1532 17107-17110 6432 12/1952
Belt Railway of Chicago 476-477 17141-17142 6423 8/1952
Louisville & Nashville 410-421 17238-17249 5128 8/1952-9/1952
Louisville & Nashville 508 17250 5214 9/1952
Louisville & Nashville 408-409 17251-17252 5215 9/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5831-5839 17278-17286 5217 10/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5829-5830 17287-17288 5235 12/1952
Chesapeake & Ohio 5840-5855 17289-17304 5236 1/1953-2/1953
Florida East Coast 607-621 17344-17358 6416 9/1952-10/1952
Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis 729-731 17367-17369 5149 8/1952
Seaboard Air Line 1798-1822 17370-17394 6446 9/1952
Maine Central 575-580 17416-17421 5193 10/1952
Meridian & Bigbee 1 17428 6460 8/1952
Santa Fe 2793-2812 17448-17467 5200 10/1952
Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf 805-806 17468-17469 6463 10/1952
Northern Pacific 559 17479 5216 11/1952
Clinchfield 912-916 17492-17496 6464 12/1952
Baltimore & Ohio 910-922 17499-17511 6294 1/1953
Georgia Railroad 1031-1032 17555-17556 5121 10/1952
Atlanta & West Point (West Point Route) 575 17557 5238 10/1952
Wabash 479-482 17571-17574 6442 1/1953
Wabash 483 17575 6476 1/1953
Rock Island 1263-1287 17594-17618 5155 10/1952-12/1952
Rock Island 1288-1292 17619-17623 6479 12/1952
Santa Fe 2813-2837 17624-17648 5219 11/1952-12/1952
Southern (Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific) 6240-6244 17669-17673 6490 1/1953
Southern 2197, 2063-2077 17674-17689 6485 1/1953
Santa Fe 2838-2847 17699-17708 6486 12/1952
Illinois Central 8801 17716 5174 3/1953
Illinois Central 8902-8905 17717-17720 6494 3/1953
Illinois Central 8906-8911 17721-17726 6495 4/1953
Illinois Central 8968-8981 17727-17740 6496 3/1953-4/1953
Illinois Central 8958-8967 17741-17750 6497 2/1953-3/1953
Louisville & Nashville 422-440 17753-17771 5132 2/1953
Louisville & Nashville 550-552 17772-17774 5246 3/1953
Louisville & Nashville 507-514 17775-17782 5247 2/1953
Union Pacific 700-709 17827-17836 6483 2/1953-3/1953
Detroit & Toledo Short Line 50 17843 6491 2/1953
Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf 807-809 17844-17846 6492 12/1952-1/1953
Midland Valley 151-154 17847-17850 6493 1/1953-2/1953
Great Northern 653-655 17867-17869 5168 3/1953
Delaware, Lackawanna & Western 966-970 17890-17894 6489 2/1953
Kansas City Southern 155-162 17925-17932 6157 2/1953
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) 5725-5734 17971-17980 5184 4/1953
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (New York Central) 5735-5737 17981-17983 5253 4/1953
Illinois Terminal 1600-1601 17984-17985 5126 3/1953
Illinois Terminal 1602-1603 17986-17987 5255 3/1953
Missouri Pacific 4261-4283 17998-18020 5170 3/1953
Missouri Pacific 4256-4260 18021-18025 5256 3/1953
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4254-4255 18026-18027 5257 3/1953
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4287-4289 18028-18030 5258 3/1953
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4252-4253 18301-18032 5259 3/1953
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4284-4286 18033-18035 5260 3/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio 5862-5885 18036-18059 5252 4/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio 5860-5861 18060-18061 5261 3/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio 5898-5900 18062-18064 5262 4/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio 5886-5897 18065-18076 5263 4/1953
Chesapeake & Ohio 5856-5859 18077-18080 5264 3/1953
Santa Fe 2848 18085 5240 3/1953
Western Pacific 710-713 18166-18169 5230 3/1953-4/1953
Phelps Dodge Corporation 8 18170 6420 5/1953
Phelps Dodge Corporation 28-29 18171-18172 6506 6/1953
Boston & Maine 1572-1577 18175-18180 5221 4/1953-5/1953
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 962-963 18217-18218 5228 4/1953
Chicago & North Western 1650-1658 18228-18236 5186 5/1953
Chicago & North Western 1625-1635 18237-18247 5270 5/1953
Chicago & North Western 1659 18248 5275 5/1953
Chicago & North Western 1636-1640 18249-18253 5271 5/1953
Chicago & North Western 1641-1649 18254-18262 5272 4/1953-5/1953
Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 103-104 18264-18265 6418 6/1953
Georgia Railroad 1033-1034 18280-18281 5248 4/1953
Western Railway of Alabama (West Point Route) 525-526 18282-18283 5268 4/1953
Rock Island 1293 18311 6514 5/1953
Butte, Anaconda & Pacific 103 18408 5284 6/1953
Reading 609-624 18409-18424 5250 5/1953
New York Central 5738-5807 18442-18511 5183 5/1953-6/1953
New York Central 5808-5817 18512-18521 5280 5/1953-6/1953
Santa Fe 2849-2863 18554-18568 5288 6/1953-7/1953
Union Pacific 710-719 18569-18578 5245 7/1953-8/1953
New York, Chicago & St Louis (Nickel Plate Road) 423-447 18591-18615 5296 7/1953-8/1953
Pennsylvania 8545-8546 18626-18627 5290 8/1953
Pennsylvania 8583-8587 18628-18632 5291 8/1953-9/1953
Pennsylvania 8554-8582 18633-18661 5292 8/1953-9/1953
Pennsylvania 8547-8550 18662-18665 5293 9/1953
Pennsylvania 8551-8552 18666-18667 5294 9/1953
Pennsylvania 8553 18668 5295 9/1953
Baltimore & Ohio 740-746 18687-18693 5302 10/1953
Baltimore & Ohio 720-731 18694-18705 5301 9/1953
Illinois Terminal 1604-1605 18706-18707 5279 8/1953
Union Pacific 720-729 18711-18720 5305 10/1953
Georgia Railroad 1035-1036 18722-18723 5273 11/1953
Rock Island 1294-1298 18726-18730 5156 10/1953
Reading Railroad 625-636 18740-18751 5309 10/1953
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) 525 (became Santa Fe #99)* 18789 6525 3/1954
Rock Island 1299 18864 5156 10/1953
Santa Fe 2864-2878 18881-18895 6522 10/1953-11/1953
Santa Fe 2879-2893 18896-18910 6526 11/1953-12/1953
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 253-267 18969-18983 5312 12/1953
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 964-969 19014-19019 5231 11/1953
Northern Pacific 560-563 19031-19034 5311 12/1953
Northern Pacific 564-568 19035-19039 5317 12/1953
Northern Pacific 569 19040 5318 12/1953
Maine Central 566-567 19041-19042 5319 11/1953
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 970-973 19067-19070 5231 11/1953
Maine Central 568-569 19302-19303 5319 12/1953
Missouri Pacific 4299-4315 (equipped with GP9 carbodies) 19393-19409 5314 4/1954-5/1954
Missouri Pacific 4316-4322 (equipped with GP9 carbodies) 19410-19416 5328 3/1954-4/1954
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4325 (equipped with GP9 carbody) 19417 5329 5/1954
Missouri Pacific (International-Great Northern) 4290-4297 (equipped with GP9 carbodies) 19418-19425 5330 4/1954-5/1954
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4323-4324 (equipped with GP9 carbodies) 19426-19427 5331 4/1954
Missouri Pacific (St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico) 4298 (equipped with GP9 carbody) 19428 5332 4/1954

* Equipped with a GP9 carbody and 1,350 horsepower.

Reused Serial Numbers

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date
Louisville & Nashville 501 14460 8001 10/1951
Louisville & Nashville 502 14461 8002 10/1951
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 615 15582 8023 3/1953
Baltimore & Ohio 6405 17504 8030 12/1953
Rock Island 1308 16455 8031 12/1953

Export

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 6600-6601 16114-16115 6314 3/1952

General Motors Diesel (GMD)

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo 71-74 A117-A120 C104 8/1950-10/1950
Wabash 453 A148 C107 1/1951
Chesapeake & Ohio 5720-5735 A154-A169 C109 3/1951-6/1951
Algoma Central & Hudson Bay 150-153 A170-A173 C110 1/1951-2/1951
Algoma Central & Hudson Bay 154 A231 C110 3/1951
Chesapeake & Ohio 5736-5738 A239-A241 C109 6/1951
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador 100-101 A260-A261 C118 7/1951
Algoma Central & Hudson Bay 155-165 A262-A272 C119 8/1951-1/1952
Algoma Central & Hudson Bay 166-168 A273-A275 C130 1/1952-2/1952
Canadian Pacific 8410-8411 A323-A324 C135 3/1952
Canadian Pacific 8409 A326 C136 2/1952
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador 104-111 A344-A351 C139 3/1952
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador 112-123 A408-A419 C151 4/1953-8/1953
Algoma Central & Hudson Bay 169-170 A441-A442 C154 12/1952
Canadian Pacific 8412-8425 A499-A512 C160 1/1953-6/1953
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo 75-77 A513-A515 C163 6/1953
Canadian National 7555-7578 A534-A557 C168 8/1953-11/1953
Canadian National 4824 (rebuild with GP9 body) A1714 - 10/1958

GP7B

Total Built = 5

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date
Santa Fe 2788A-2792A 17020-17024 5218 3/1953-4/1953

This slide had no information. I presume it was perhaps taken in early October, 1963 along with the others in this bunch. The former Lackawanna GP7 (#960) has been reassigned its Erie Lackawanna number (#1279). Also note the trailing RS3 (another former DL&W unit). Author's collection.

Sources

  • 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.
  • Solomon, Brian.  GE and EMD Locomotives:  The Illustrated History.  Minneapolis:  Voyageur Press, 2014.

SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!