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The Reading Railroad Diesel Roster

The Reading Railroad diesel roster was a mix of mostly EMD and Alco products with Fairbanks-Morse and Baldwin also making up the railroad's all-time roster. In later years the Reading tended to stick with EMD, along with a single order of GE U30Cs. For a complete/all-time Reading Railroad diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving Erie 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 Reading colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of Reading heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of Reading heritage that are not in Reading colors).

American Locomotive Company (Alco)

· Alco RS3 #467: Preserved by the Anthracite Historical Society as RDG #467.

· Alco RS3 #485: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as RDG #485.

· Alco RS3 #492: Preserved by the United Railway Historical Society as RDG #492.

· Alco C424 #5204: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as RDG #5204.

· Alco C630 #5308: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as RDG #5308.

Baldwin (BLW)

· BLW DS44-1000 #702: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as RDG #702.

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

· EMD NW2 #103: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #103.

· EMD FP7 #900: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #900.

· EMD FP7 #902: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #902.

· EMD FP7 #903: Preserved by the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society as Reading #903.

· EMD GP7 #621: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #621.

· EMD GP30 #5513: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #5513.

· EMD GP30 #5507: In operation on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad as WM #2175.

· EMD GP35 #3640: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #3640.

General Electric (GE)

· GE U30C #6300: Preserved by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society as Reading #6300.

Also, it should be noted that some former Reading 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 Reading 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 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.

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