The Monon Railroad diesel roster was mostly a mix of EMD and Alco power although the fleet also included small orders of GE U23Bs and FM H15-44s. For a complete/all-time Monon Railroad diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving Monon 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 Monon colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of Monon heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of Monon heritage that are not in Monon colors).
The little Monon Route, known for years as the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway until its nickname became the railroad’s official name, was a Midwestern regional that struggled on and off for many years but for the last thirty years of its history did quite well. The Monon was never a large railroad and lived among giants only owning a bit over 500 total miles of track at its peak. As its original name implies it served the cities of Chicago, Indianapolis, and Louisville and was also a bridge route, hauling traffic for larger railroads like the Southern Railway and Louisville & Nashville Railroad.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD SW1 #DS-50: Preserved at the Indiana Transportation Museum as Monon #DS-50.
· EMD BL2 #32: Preserved in operation at the Kentucky Railroad Museum as Monon #32.
Also, it should be noted that Monon's fleet became part of the L&N system and many units were subsequently sold or traded in. Lastly, some former Monon switcher and road units continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with 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 Monon Railroad 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 Monon you might want to consider Monon: The Hoosier Line from Gary Dolzall. The author gives an excellent history of the railroad in his book with over 200 pictures (all black and white). If you are a fan of the Monon and/or are interested in learning more about the railroad I am sure you will find the book very enjoyable.
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.
