The Wabash Railroad diesel roster was predominantly comprised of Alcos and EMDs although it featured models from all of the other classic builders as well like GE, Lima, Baldwin, and Fairbanks-Morse. For a complete/all-time Wabash Railroad diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving Wabash 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 Wabash colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of Wabash heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of Wabash heritage that are not in Wabash colors).
While the Wabash Railroad was never a large carrier its legendary status far surpasses its size. The Wabash was a Midwestern carrier connecting Buffalo, New York with cities such as Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha. At its peak it was only a little over 2,000 miles in length but its bridge line status, markets it served, and high speed freight service made it a quite successful railroad, especially during its latter years. Eventually the Wabash was swept up in the merger mania beginning in the late 1950s and after a long stint of PRR ownership it eventually became part of the sprawling N&W system in the 1960s.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD SW1 #110: Preserved by the Minnesota Transportation Museum as Anderson Windows #3110.
· EMD SW8 #130: Preserved at the Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum as Pfizer #2.
· EMD SW8 #132: Preserved at the Steamtown National Historic Site as DL&W #500.
· EMD F7A #1176: Preserved by the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum as Wabash #671.
· EMD F7A #1189: Preserved by the Monticello Railway Museum as Wabash #1189.
· EMD GP35 #547: Preserved by the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis as Wabash #547.
Also, it should be noted that some former Wabash 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 Wabash 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 on the Wabash I would strongly consider picking up Follow the Flag: A History of the Wabash Railroad Company the first in-depth publication of the railroad. If you have an interest in the Wabash you will especially enjoy the book. However, even if not, it is a well-written railroading book on a very interesting Midwestern carrier and if you have an interest in railroading in general you will likely find the book interesting as well.
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.
