The Seaboard Air Line diesel roster was mostly comprised of EMDs although Alcos also made a portion of the fleet, along with a few Baldwins. For a complete/all-time Seaboard Air Line diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving SAL 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 SAL colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of SAL heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of SAL heritage that are not in SAL colors).
The Seaboard Air Line is perhaps best remembered for being a somewhat smaller version of the Atlantic Coast Line as everywhere the ACL went so too did the SAL (and thus it is not surprising that the two would decide to merge in the late 1960s). This is not to say, however, that the SAL was an inferior road to the ACL, quite the contrary. The Seaboard held its own with its fiercest competitor and after managing to pull through troubled waters during the early years of its life, the railroad provided quality freight transportation to the Southeast.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RSC-2 #1513: Preserved by the Danbury Railway Museum as #1513.
· Alco RSC-2 #1531: Preserved by the Utica & Mohawk Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society and in operation on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad as #25.
· Alco C420 #124: In operation on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad as #365.
Also, it should be noted that some former Seaboard Air Line 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 Seaboard Air Line 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 the book The American Diesel Locomotive from author Brian Solomon. The book studies everything from classic to newer diesel locomotive models. In the entire book is a great resource and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it, not to mention that it is loaded with photos (many in color)! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
