The Great Northern diesel roster was predominantly comprised of EMDs although it also included models from Alco, Baldwin, and General Electric. For a complete/all-time Great Northern diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving GN 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 GN colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of GN heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of Erie heritage that are not in GN colors).
Of all the railroads James J. Hill owned or controlled in some way, the Great Northern Railway is by far his greatest masterpiece earning him the legendary nickname of Empire Builder. Under his tenor the railroad would stretch from the Midwest to Pacific Coast and of all the Northwestern roads the GN was by far the strongest and most respected. Even after 30+ years of being gone the railroad still holds strong influences and memories from its Empire Builder passenger train and prominent dark green, orange, and yellow livery to its beloved mascot and emblem, Rocky the mountain goat (a common animal to the Rocky Mountains).
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RS3 #229: On display in Schenectady, New York as GN #229.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD F7A #247B: Privately owned as GN #247B.
· EMD F7A #454A: Preserved by the Minnesota Transportation Museum as GN #454A.
· EMD F7B #455B: Preserved by the Prince George Railway & Forestry Museum as BC Rail RCC10.
· EMD SD45 #400: Preserved by the Lake Superior Museum of Transportation as GN #400.
Also, it should be noted that some former Great Northern 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 Great Northern 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 and background on the GN consider the book The Great Northern Railway: A History from authors, Ralph Hidy, Muriel Hidy, Roy Scott, and Don Hofsommer. The book is stuffed full of photographs, maps, and timetables of the GN up through its creation and building to the Pacific Northwest to its merger with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and Northern Pacific to form the Burlington Northern in 1970. Anyone with an interest in the GN will almost surely enjoy the book.
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.
