The Lackawanna diesel roster was a mix of Alco, GM, and GE products with a few models also purchased from Fairbanks-Morse. For a complete/all-time Lackawanna diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving D&LW 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 DL&W colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of DL&W heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of DL&W heritage that are not in DL&W colors).
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (better known as simply the Lackawanna and not to be confused with the current shortline, Delaware-Lackawanna), while never one of the Northeast’s largest railroads (like most, it was dwarfed by bitter rivals New York Central and Pennsylvania) it was perhaps the grandest, which it is likely best remembered for; builder of the New Jersey Cutoff (between Port Morris, New Jersey and Slateford, Pennsylvania) and the Nicholson-Hallstead Cutoff these magnificent feats of engineering were home to several stunning viaducts (made from reinforced concrete), the most notable of which was Tunkhannock Viaduct (also known as Nicholson Viaduct).
Alco/GE/Ingersoll-Rand
· Alco/GE/Ingersoll-Rand Boxcab #3001: Early diesel boxcab preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco S2 #206: Preserved by the North Alabama Railroad Museum as Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis #484.
· Alco RS3m #912: Preserved by the Danbury Railway Museum as Metro North #605.
Electro-Motive Division
· EMC SC #426: In operation on Genesee Valley Transportation as DL&W #426.
Also, it should be noted that some former Lackawanna 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 Lackawana 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 information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic FMs, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.
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.
