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Illinois Central Diesel Roster

The all-time Illinois Central diesel roster was mostly comprised of EMD models although the railroad did have locomotives from Alco, GE, and even a few from Baldwin. For a complete/all-time Illinois Central diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving IC 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 IC colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of IC heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of IC heritage that are not in IC colors).

The Illinois Central Railroad slogan described the railroad quite well, The Main Line of Mid-America. It was one of only a very few railroads to serve markets with north-south running main lines and not the traditional east-west movements. What made its routing even more odd was that it served Midwestern markets that likewise traditionally moved goods east and west, such as Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans. Regardless of this the IC carved out a living hauling goods from Chicago to New Orleans and while today the Canadian National owns the railroad, its name continues to survive after over 150 years of existence.

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

· EMD SW1 #9014: Preserved by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum as Westvaco #4800.

· EMD GP7 #8950: Privately owned and preserved as IC #8950.

· EMD GP8 #7738: Owned by the Bluegrass Railroad Museum and currently being restored as ICG #7738.

· EMD GP11 #9386: Preserved by the Monticello Railway Museum as IC #8733.

Also, it should be noted that many former Illinois Central 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. This is the main reason why you do not see more IC units preserved, yet. Since the IC's fleet was predominantly EMD and GE power, particularly second-generation locomotives, they remain in daily revenue service with freight railroads. 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 Illinois Central 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 history on the IC consider Illinois Central Railroad from Tom Murray and published by Motor Books International (MBI has published numerous railroad books on a wide range of topics covered, and overall they do a very good job with books that are reasonably priced). The book gives a general history of the IC and includes several photographs, many in color. If you have any kind of interest in the IC you should very much enjoy this publication.

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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