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Atlantic Coast Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)

Published: May 30, 2026

By: Adam Burns

The Atlantic Coast Line was an early pioneer in dieselization, acquiring its first diesel locomotives in 1939 and completing the transition from steam by the mid-1950s. Its diesel roster reflected a strong preference for Electro-Motive Division (EMD) products, supplemented by Alco, Baldwin, and later GE units for switching, freight, and passenger service.

Passenger service led the way. In November 1939, the ACL received two EMD E3A locomotives (Nos. 500 and 501) to power the flagship Champion streamliner. These were followed by substantial fleets of E-units: E6A/B (1940–1942), E7A/B (1945–1948), and E8A/B (1949–1950). These elegant, purple-and-silver streamlined units became icons of ACL passenger service on routes to Florida. The railroad also operated F-units in passenger and dual-service roles, including FT A/B sets (1943–1944), F2A/B (1946), F3A/B (1948), and large numbers of F7A/B (1950–1951) plus FP7s (1951–1952).

0192837152351426158789688768897897897.jpgAtlantic Coast Line FP7 #885 is ahead of train #38, a Jacksonville-St. Petersburg connection for the "Havana Special" and "The Seminole", stopped at the ACL station in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1958. Howard Robins photo.

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Freight operations relied heavily on EMD road-switchers. The ACL purchased 185 GP7s (1950–1951, numbered 100–279 and some in the 1100 series), followed by later models like GP30s (900–908, 1963), GP35s (909–914, 1963), and GP40s (915–928, 1966). For heavier freight, it acquired SD35s (1000–1023, 1964–1965), SD45s (1024–1033, 1966), and one SDP35. Switchers included NW2s, SW7s, SW8s (50–59, 1952), and SW9s.

While EMD dominated, the ACL sampled other builders. Baldwin supplied nine VO-1000 switchers (10–18, 1942–1944), many later re-engined with EMD power. Alco provided an HH1000, dozens of S2 switchers (26–46, 1942–1944, also re-engined), and later six-axle road power in the form of eleven C628s (2000–2010, 1963–1964) and three C630s (2011–2013, 1965). In its final years before the 1967 merger with the Seaboard Air Line, the ACL added GE Universal-series locomotives, including U25Cs (3000–3020), U30Cs, and U30Bs.

The ACL’s distinctive purple-and-silver livery, introduced with the early E-units, gave way in 1957 to a simpler black scheme with yellow and silver accents under President W. Thomas Rice to reduce maintenance costs. By the early 1950s the railroad already operated over 100 diesels, growing to hundreds as steam was retired. Full dieselization brought faster schedules, lower operating costs, and improved reliability.

ACL's heavy investment in EMD power, combined with selective purchases from other builders, created a versatile fleet that served efficiently until the Seaboard Coast Line merger. Many ACL diesels continued in service under SCL and later CSX, with some preserved examples still reminding railfans of the purple-and-silver era.

Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) Diesel Roster by Builder - Complete

EMD (Electro-Motive Division)

NW2

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
NW220-9291/1940Sold to W. R. Grace Chemical Company as 102. Was numbered 606 (2nd) at time of sale.
NW221-22, 2421, 22, 241926-19288/1942, 9/1942ex-601 (2nd), 602 (2nd), 604 (2nd)
NW223, 25 (2nd)23, 251630-16314/1942, 5/1942ex-603, 605
NW2600 (2nd)-9291/1940Renumbered 20; built as 601.
NW2601 (2nd)-19268/1942ex-21; built as 611.
NW2 602 (2nd), 604 (2nd)-1927, 192810/1942Renumbered 22,24; built as 613, 615.
NW2601-9291/1940Renumbered 600 (2nd).
NW2603, 605-1630, 16315/1942Renumbered 23, 25 (2nd).
NW2611, 613, 615-1926-19288/1942, 10/1942Renumbered 601 (2nd), 602 (2nd), 604 (2nd)

SW8

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
SW850-5410-1415949-159533/1952-
SW855-5915-1915954-159583/1952-

GP7 / GP9

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
GP7100-103785-78810217-102205/1950-
GP7104-105789-79011129-111305/1950-
GP7106-114791-796, 700-70211131-111395/1950-
GP7115-116703-70411140-111415/50#116 sold to Indian Rail Road as 157.
GP7117-122705-71011142-111475/1950-
GP7123-128711-71611914-119199/1950-
GP7129-132717-72011920-119239/1950-
GP7133-135721-72313918-139202/1951-
GP7136-140724-72813921-139252/1951-
GP7141-142729-73013926-139272/1951-
GP7143-147731-73513928-139322/1951-
GP7148-152736-74013933-139372/1951-
GP7153-154741-74213898-138992/1951Sold to the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western as 1755.
GP7155-159743-74713900-139042/1951-
GP7160-162748-75013905-139072/1951-
GP7163-168751-75613908-139132/1951-
GP7169-172757-76013914-139172/1951-
GP7173761139485/1951-
GP7174-176762-76413949-139515/1951-
GP7177-186797-80613938-139477/1951-
GP7187-192807-81213867-138726/1951-
GP7193-194813-81413873-138746/1951-
GP7195-196815-81613875-138765/1951-
GP7197817138776/1951--
GP7198-199818-81913878-138796/1951-
GP7200-205820-82513880-138856/1951-
GP7206826138866/1951-
GP7207-213, 216-217827-833, 836-83713887-13893, 13896-138976/1951-
GP7214-215834-83513894-138956/1951-
GP7218-220838-84014978-1498012/1951-
GP72218411498112/1951-
GP7222-225842-84514982-1496911/1951-
GP7226-230846-85014970-1497411/1951-
GP7231, 233851, 85314975, 1497711/1951-
GP72328521497611/1951-
GP7234, 236-238765, 767-76914952, 14954-149568/1951-
GP7235766149538/1951-9/1951-
GP7239-241770-77214957-149599/1951-10/1951-
GP7242773149609/1951-
GP7243-245774-77614961-1496310/1951-
GP7246-247777-77814964-1496510/1951-
GP7248-249779-78014966-1496710/1951-
GP7250-253781-78415945-1594812/1951-
GP7254, 256854, 85612897, 1289910/51Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 200, 202.
GP72558551289810/1950Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 201.
GP7257-258857-85812900-1290110/1950Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 203-204.
GP7259-260859-86012902-1290310/1950Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 205-206.
GP7261, 263-264861, 863-86412904, 12906-1290710/1950Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 207, 209-210.
GP72628621290510/1950Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 208.
GP7265, 267865, 86714943-1494512/1951Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 211, 213.
GP72668661494412/1951Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 212.
GP72688681494612/1951Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 214.
GP7269-273869-87314947-1495112/1951Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 215-219.
GP72748741559912/1951Built as Charleston & Western Carolina 220.
GP72758751196811/1950ex-ACL 1100; built as Columbia, Newberry & Laurens 100.
GP7276-277876-87712002-1200311/1950ex-ACL 1101-1102; built as Columbia, Newberry & Laurens (CN&L) 101-102.
GP7278-279878-87915600-1560110/1951, 12/1951ex-ACL 1103-1104; built as CN&L 103-104.
GP9900-9081300-130827989-279971/1963Constructed on GP30 frames.

E-Series (E3A / E6A / E7A / E8A)

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
E3A500 (1st)5095811/1939Wrecked at Fleming, Georgia in 1953.
E8Am500 (2nd)574958 (2nd)3/1953Rebuilt from E3A #500 (1st).
E3A501-95911/1939Wrecked at Milan, North Carolina on July 24, 1943; rebuilt by EMD as an E6A.
E6A502-515-1142-115511/1940-1/1941-
E6A516-523-1554-15611/1942-4/1942-
E7A524-31853/1945Wrecked at Coward, South Carolina in 1962.
E7A525-528-3186-31893/1945-4/1945-
E7A529-531-2827-28296/1945-8/1945-
E7A533-34096/1946-
E7A534-537-3410-34126/1946-
E7A538-543-5677-56827/1948-
E8A532 (2nd)5753408 (2nd)6/1946-
E8A544-548576-5799182-91861/1950547 retired in 1967.
E8A549-550 (2nd)580-58111223-112243/1950ex-MKT 52A, 52C; built as MKT 106A, 106C.
E8A551-552582-58311225-112263/50ex-MKT 53A, 53C; built as MKT 107A, 107C.
E8A553-554584-58514283, 142855/51ex-MKT 54A, 55A; built as MKT 131, 133.
E8A555-556586-58714286-142875/51ex-MKT 55B, 56A; built as MKT 134-135.

F-Series (F3 / F7 / FP7 / F9)

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
F9A317-234655/1957-
F3A/F3B336-347 / 336B-347B336 (1st)-347 (1st)5683-5694, 5908-591912/1948-
F7A348-371348 (1st)-371 (1st)9191-92143/1950-
F7A372-383372-38310193-102043-4/1950-
F7A384-388384-38811909-1191310/1950-
F7A389-391389-39112392-1239410/1950-
F7A392-403392-40714859-148709/1951-10/1951-
F7B392B-403B392B-403B14886-148979/1951-10/1951-
F7A404-407300-308, 31014871-1487410/1951-
F7A408-418300-308, 31014875-1488511/1951#417 wrecked in Floral City FL - 1956
F9A417 (2nd)309234665/1957-
FP7430-444316-33114844-148589/1951-10/1951Built as ACL 875-889.
FP7445-448332-33517256-172598/1952-9/1952Built as ACL 890-893.
FP7850-859675-68313051-130604/1951855 retired.
FP7860-869684-69313971-139805/1951--
FP7870-874694-69814839-148438/1951-9/1951--
FP7875-889316-33114844-148589/1951-10/1951Renumbered 430-444.
FP7890-893332-33517256-172598/1952Renumbered 445-448.

SDP35 / SD35

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
SDP355501099305319/1965Renumbered 1099.
SD3510001900290356/1964Built as demonstrator 7715.
SD351001-10031901-190329036-290386/1964-
SD351004-10061904-190629594-2959612/1964-
SD351007, 10091907, 190929597, 2959912/1964-
SD351008, 10101908, 191029598, 2960012/1964-
SD3510111911305189/1965-
SD351012-10181912-191830519-305259/1965-
SD351019-10201919-192030526-305279/1965-
SD351021-10221921-192230528-305299/1965-
SD3510231923305309/1965-

Baldwin (BLW)

VO-1000

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
VO-1000606-60799-10064266-671/1942Renumbered 10-11 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567.
VO-1000608-609101-10264415, 644178/1942Renumbered 12-13 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567.
VO-1000616-617103-10464667-6810/1943Renumbered 14-15 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567.
VO-1000619, 621, 623105, (621 not retained), 10670156, 70158, 7016810/1943Renumbered 16-18 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567.

Alco (American Locomotive Company)

HH1000 / HH660

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
HH1000600(Not retained)691501/1940Renumbered 25.
HH6601900(Not retained)690783/1939Sold to Lehigh Valley as 116.

S2

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
S2602, 604 26-27107, 10869667-696682/1942Renumbered 26-27 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567C.
S2610, 612, 614109-11169971-699732/1942, 6/1942Renumbered 28-30 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567C.
S2618, 620, 622112-11470200, 72024, 720551/1944-5/1944Renumbered 31-33 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567C.
S234-43624-642 (Evens)72879-7288812/1944Renumbered 115-124 and re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567C.
S24498702568/1943Ex-RF&P #54, acquired in May, 1966. Re-engined with a 1200 hp EMD 12-567C and hood.
S245-4696-9772834, 728509/1944Ex-RF&P 45-46, acquired in May, 1966.
S2624, 628, 630, 632, 634(Not retained.)72880-7288412/44Renumbered 34-39.
S2636, 638, 640 & 642(Not retained.)72887-7289012/44Renumbered 40-43.

C628 / C630

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
C6282000-20032200-220384899-8490212/1963-
C6282004-20102204-22103393-01 thru 3393-0712/1964-
C6302011-20132211-22133408-01 thru 3408-037/1965, 12/1965-

Whitcomb

65DE19A

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
65DE19A70(Not retained.)6040612/1944ex-Franklin & Carolina 100; built as US Army 8400.
65DE19A71(Not retained.)6051512/1944ex-Franklin & Carolina 110; built as US Army 8800.

GE

U25C

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
U25C3000-30032100-210334969-3497212/1963-
U25C3004-30102104-211035064-3507011/1964-
U25C3011-30202111-212035609-3561810/1965-11/1965-
U25C3021-30242121-212436140-3614311/1965-

U30B

ModelACL Road Number(s)SCL Merger Number(s)Builder Serial Number(s)Builder DateNotes
U30B975-9781700-170336144-361472/1967-

Abbreviations

AC&W - Aberdeen Carolina & Western
CN&L - Columbia, Newberry & Laurens
C&WC - Charleston & Western Carolina
INRD - Indiana Railroad
LIRC - Louisville & Indiana
LV - Lehigh Valley
MKT - Missouri Kansas Texas
N&W - Norfolk & Western
NREX - National Railway Equipment
PREX - Pioneer Railway Equipment
RF&P - Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac
RLIX - Railink
SBD - Seaboard System
SCL - Seaboard Coast Line
USA - US Army

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  32. Florida Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 02, 26 11:17 PM

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    2026 Florida Christmas trains—Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express in Parrish (Nov. 27–Dec. 22). No licensed Polar Express in Florida. Miami Polar is closed.

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  33. North Carolina Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 02, 26 01:40 PM

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    2026 North Carolina Christmas trains—Tweetsie Christmas (Nov. 27–Dec. 30), Bonsal Santa Express, Aberdeen Carolina Christmas Train. Polar is Bryson City and Spencer.

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  34. New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad: Map, Route & History

    Sep 02, 26 01:30 PM

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    New Orleans & Northeastern Railroad—William Hardy, Erlanger capital, 196 miles Meridian–New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain trestle, Queen & Crescent Route. Southern 1916, AGS 1969, Norfolk Southern t…

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  35. New Hampshire Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 02, 26 01:25 PM

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    2026 New Hampshire Christmas trains—Conway Scenic Santa’s Holiday Express (from Nov. 28, Coach $27/$21) and Lincoln Santa Express. Not Polar Express.

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  36. Minnesota Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 02, 26 12:18 PM

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    2026 Minnesota Christmas trains—Duluth Christmas City Express, Friends of the 261 North Pole Express (Dec. 4–13), Minneapolis Holly Trolley. Not Polar Express.

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  37. Railroad Diamonds: At-Grade Track Crossings, Frogs & Interlockings

    Sep 02, 26 12:00 PM

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    Railroad diamonds—four frogs where two tracks cross at grade. Rigid, movable-point, and flange-bearing designs, interlocking protection, and why MOW crews hate them.

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  38. California Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 02, 26 11:58 AM

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    2026 California Christmas trains—Napa Santa Train, Campo North Pole Limited, Niles Canyon Train of Lights, Roaring Camp, Skunk Train, Portola. Polar stays on the Polar hub.

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  39. Civil War Railroads: North vs South, USMRR, Maps & Facts

    Sep 02, 26 10:32 AM

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    Civil War railroadsā€”1860 mileage, gauges, USMRR, Haupt and McCallum, First Manassas, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Andrews Raid, B&O. Maps and facts.

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  40. Milwaukee Road EP-3 "Quills": History, Specs & Roster

    Sep 01, 26 11:49 PM

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    Milwaukee Road class EP-3 Quills—ten Baldwin–Westinghouse 2-C-1+1-C-2 passenger electrics, 1919. Quill drive, Mountain Division Olympian, frame failures, complete roster, all scrapped by 1957.

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  41. Milwaukee Road's Boxcab Electrics (EP-1/EF-1): History, Specs, Classes

    Sep 01, 26 11:20 PM

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    Milwaukee Road Alco/GE boxcabs—42 pairs, 1915–16, 3,000 V DC. EP-1 and EF-1 through EF-5 and ES-3. Specs, classes, June 1974, E50 Duluth and E57B Harlowton.

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  42. Milwaukee Road's Vendome Loop: Horseshoe, Grades & Pipestone Approach

    Sep 01, 26 07:28 PM

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    Milwaukee Road's Vendome Loop—horseshoe between Vendome and Cedric, Montana, on the 2% east slope of Pipestone Pass. ICC valuation, McIntosh Bros., 1908 track. Not the tunnel.

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  43. Connecticut Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 01, 26 02:31 PM

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    2026 Connecticut Christmas trains—Essex Steam Train North Pole Express (Nov. 20–Dec. 23, Coach from $60), plus Danbury, Naugatuck, Shore Line Trolley.

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  44. Texas Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 01, 26 02:21 PM

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    2026 Texas Christmas trains—Grapevine Santa’s North Pole Express (Nov. 27–Dec. 30).

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  45. Ohio Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 01, 26 12:47 PM

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    Learn more about Christmas train rides in the state of Ohio, home to Ohio is home to some of the top heritage railroads in the country.

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  46. Pennsylvania Christmas Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide

    Sep 01, 26 10:05 AM

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    2026 Pennsylvania Christmas trains—Strasburg Santa’s Paradise Express, New Hope Santa trains, Colebrookdale, and more. Not Polar Express.

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  47. Mt. Rainier Christmas with the Clauses (2026): Elbe Dates & Tips

    Sep 01, 26 09:55 AM

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    2026 Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Christmas with the Clauses in Elbe—Nov. 21–Dec. 23, ~75 minutes. Tickets Sept. 1. Christmas train, not Polar Express.

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  48. Tweetsie Christmas (2026): Blowing Rock Dates, Tickets & Tips

    Sep 01, 26 09:44 AM

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    2026 Tweetsie Christmas in Blowing Rock—select evenings Nov. 27–Dec. 30. Steam train, lights, Santa. $65/$45. Christmas event, not Polar Express.

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  49. TVRM North Pole Limited (2026): Chattanooga Dates, Tickets & Tips

    Sep 01, 26 12:23 AM

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    2026 Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum North Pole Limited—Nov. 13–Dec. 23, ~75 minutes from Grand Junction. Christmas train, not Polar Express. From $38.

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  50. Milwaukee Road "Little Joes" (EF-4 / EP-4): History, Specs & Roster

    Sep 01, 26 12:15 AM

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    Milwaukee Road Little Joes—12 GE 2-D+D-2 electrics from a cancelled Soviet order. EF-4 freight, EP-4 passenger. Specs, roster, June 1974 shutdown, E70 at Deer Lodge.

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