The Missouri Pacific diesel roster was predominantly comprised of locomotives built by EMD although it also included a fair share of models from Alco, Baldwin, General Electric. For a complete/all-time Missouri Pacific diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving MoPac 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 MoPac colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of MoPac heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of MoPac heritage that are not in MoPac colors).
The Missouri Pacific, better known by railroaders and railfans as the “MoPac,” was never a strong company financially but it was always a fighter. The railroad was the first to be built west of the Mississippi River and would eventually come under the Jay Gould empire, who owned scores of railroads in the 19th century. The railroad is also well remembered for its beautiful paint scheme of blue and gray with an eagle adorning the flanks of locomotives. Due to the railroad’s financial situation it is not surprising that it would be purchased by another railroad, which happened in 1982 when the Union Pacific merged the railroad into its system.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RS3 #4502: Preserved by the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis as MP #4502.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD SC #9001: Preserved by the Illinois Railway Museum as Dardenelle & Rusellville #14.
Also, it should be noted that many former Missouri Pacific 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 (particularly successor Union Pacific), which is one reason why you do not see more yet preserved. 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 Missouri Pacific 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 MoPac consider the book Missouri Pacific Lines from Patrick Dorin, which gives a very well done general history of the railroad (up until its merger with UP) with plenty of photographs to boot. Anyone with an interest in the MoPac 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.
