EMD "SW1" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster
Last revised: December 20, 2024
By: Adam Burns
The SW1 was the second switcher Electro-Motive produced that featured a welded frame and respectable 600 horsepower.
It was the first to feature a General Motors prime mover, the 567 and 567A, and began EMD's modern line of switchers that continued through the MP15 series.
The SW1 proved quite popular, witnessing 660 sales before production ended. While it did not sell as well as the NW2, the SW1 and it successors became EMD's primary switcher line.
Today, examples can still be found in all types of applications, from regular freight service to industrial settings.
In addition, you can find them hosting excursions and tourist trains. Even one of the first SW1's built, Southern Pacific #1000, is preserved at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
Lehigh Valley SW1 #112 was photographed here at the road's terminal in Sayre, Pennsylvania on September 9, 1972. Bob Wilt photo. Warren Calloway collection.Overview
While Electro-Motive produced a wide range of highly successful switchers such as the NW2, SW1200, SW1500, and SW9 the series can be traced back to a group of early six and nine hundred horsepower variants built during the latter 1930s.
This included the SC, SW, NC, and NW manufactured with either cast or welded frames. For example, SC referred to Six hundred horsepower, Cast frame while SW denoted Six hundred horsepower, Welded frame.
Identification
These switchers were built during an era that predated the modern road diesels and some railroads still preferred locomotives with cast frames, harkening back to the steam era.
As the years passed, EMD's method of identifying models seemingly changed every few years; in some cases the number simply denoted its number in the series while later the horsepower rating was included.
In addition, the NW2 was the last in the short-lived "NW" line. Following its production run, Electro-Motive dropped the first letter in identifying the horsepower rating. It also eliminated the cast or welded designation as the latter became the preferred production method.
In their place, the builder retained the "SW" lettering, which now meant simply Switcher. The SW1 featured a 600 horsepower prime mover and retained Electro-Motive's signature short carbody of just 44-feet with tapering near the cab for improved visibility.
The SW1's most recognizable feature is the large sandbox just under the grill. Its location is unique to this particular model.
Reading SW1 #20 sits in the dead line at the company's shops in Reading, Pennsylvania on April 22, 1973. By this date the locomotive was being parted out to rebuild other SW1's. Author's collection.As Jerry Pinkepank notes in his book, "Diesel Spotter's Guide," another of the switcher's noteworthy trademarks is a single, centered, conical stack.
After World War II the SW1 was reequipped with EMD's updated 567A prime mover, which still produced 600 horsepower. During this time the model also featured a slight update to its carbody. The original was designed with a double-taper near the cab while the updated version included a single taper.
Data Sheet and Specifications
| Entered Production | 12/1938 (Electro-Motive #755) |
| Years Produced | 12/1938 - 11/1953 |
| EMD Class | SW1 |
| Engine | 567/567A (6 Cylinder) |
| Engine Builder | EMD/GM |
| Horsepower | 600 |
| RPM | 800 |
| Length | 44' 5" |
| Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab) | 14' 5" (Built prior to January, 1945.) |
| Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab) | 14' 4 5/8" (Built after January, 1945.) |
| Width | 10' 2" (Built prior to January, 1945.) |
| Width | 10' 0" (Built after January, 1945.) |
| Weight | 198,000 Lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 600 Gallons |
| Air Compressor | 3C2C (Westinghouse) |
| Air Brake Schedule | 6-BL (Westinghouse) |
| Trucks | B-B |
| Truck Type | GRS Rigid Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer (AAR Type-A) |
| Truck Wheelbase | 8' 0" |
| Wheel Size | 40" |
| Traction Motors | D7* (4), EMD/GM |
| Traction Generator | D4A/D4/D4D*, EMD/GM |
| MU (Multiple-Unit) | No |
| Dynamic Brakes | No |
| Gear Ratio | 62:15 (Before January, 1945) or 65:12 (After January, 1945) |
| Tractive Effort/Starting | 49,500 Lbs (at 25% adhesion) |
| Top Speed | 65 mph (62:15); 55 mph (65:12) |
* Only the model D4D generator was used in SW1's built between January, 1945 and December, 1949. Electro-Motive's "Operating Manual #2303" states the D27 traction motor and D15A main generator were used in SW1 models built after December, 1949.
Chicago & North Western SW1 #1270 at the Prairie Street crossing in Elgin, Illinois in November, 1975. Rick Burn photo.Production Roster
(Total Built = 660)
| Owner | Road Number | Serial Number | Order Number | Completion Date | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 755* | 755 | E292 | 12/1938 | 1 |
| Seaboard Air Line | 1200 | 802 | E236 | 3/1939 | 1 |
| Fort Worth Belt Railway | 1 | 803 | E232 | 1/1939 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 804** | 804 | E257 | 2/1939 | 1 |
| Central Railroad Of New Jersey | 1009-1010 | 805-806 | E229 | 1/1939 | 2 |
| New York Central | 600-613 | 808-821 | E217 | 2/1939-4/1939 | 14 |
| New York Central | 574-579 | 853-858 | E217 | 1/1939 | 6 |
| Great Northern | 5101-5102 | 859-860 | E218 | 1/1939 | 2 |
| Reading | 16-18 | 871-873 | E230 | 1/1939 | 3 |
| Lehigh Valley | 112 | 874 | E237 | 4/1939 | 1 |
| New York Central | 614-616 | 875-877 | E239 | 5/1939 | 3 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1610-1611 | 878-879 | E240 | 6/1939 | 2 |
| Wabash Railroad | 101-103 | 880-882 | E247 | 6/1939 | 3 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9004-9005 | 895-896 | E249 | 9/1939 | 2 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9136-9140 | 897-901 | E259 | 6/1939 | 5 |
| Pere Marquette | 10 | 902 | E262 | 7/1939 | 1 |
| Phelps Dodge Corporation | A | 903 | E265 | 7/1939 | 1 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1612 | 904 | E268 | 8/1939 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 905*** | 905 | E287 | 8/1939 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 906**** | 906 | E283 | 8/1939 | 1 |
| Soo Line | 320 | 907 | E273 | 9/1939 | 1 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 11 | 908 | E275 | 9/1939 | 1 |
| Richmond Terminal***** | 1 | 909 | E307 | 9/1939 | 1 |
| Republic Steel Corporation (Buffalo) | 370 | 910 | E277 | 10/1939 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 911****** | 911 | E349 | 10/1939 | 1 |
| Boston & Maine | 1109-1111 | 912-914 | E288 | 11/1939 | 3 |
| Southern Pacific | 1004-1009 | 975-980 | E281 | 11/1939 | 6 |
| Illinois Central | 9014-9020 | 981-987 | E284 | 12/1939-1/1940 | 7 |
| Western Pacific | 502-503 | 988-989 | E283 | 12/1939 | 2 |
| International-Great Northern (Missouri Pacific) | 9200-9203 | 990-993 | E289 | 12/1939 | 4 |
| Fort Worth & Denver City (Burlington) | 602 | 994 | E290 | 12/1939 | 1 |
| New York Central | 617-621 | 1010-1014 | E282 | 12/1939-1/1940 | 5 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 220-224 | 1015-1019 | E291 | 1/1940-2/1940 | 5 |
| Lehigh Valley | 113-115 | 1020-1022 | E295 | 2/1940 | 3 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 12 | 1023 | E349 | 9/1940 | 1 |
| Wabash Railroad | 104 | 1024 | E297 | 2/1940 | 1 |
| Houston Belt & Terminal | 10 | 1025 | E300 | 3/1940 | 1 |
| Buffalo Creek Railroad | 42 | 1026 | E303 | 3/1940 | 1 |
| Delaware, Lackawanna & Western | 427-429 | 1027-1029 | E304 | 3/1940 | 3 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1613-1624 | 1039-1050 | E298 | 3/1940-4/1940 | 12 |
| Delaware, Lackawanna & Western | 430-437 | 1051-1058 | E304 | 4/1940-5/1940 | 8 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9141-9147 | 1068-1074 | E310 | 5/1940-6/1940 | 7 |
| Wabash Railroad | 105 | 1075 | E311 | 5/1940 | 1 |
| Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis | 501-504 | 1076-1079 | E313 | 6/1940 | 4 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9006 | 1083 | E316 | 8/1940 | 1 |
| St. Johns River Terminal (Southern Railway) | 8565 | 1085 | E319 | 7/1940 | 1 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 212 | 1088 | E321 | 6/1940 | 1 |
| Baltimore & Ohio | 200-215 | 1098-1113 | E324 | 8/1940-9/1940 | 16 |
| Reading | 19-22 | 1128-1131 | E329 | 8/1940 | 4 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 213-214 | 1160-1161 | E337 | 8/1940 | 2 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 225-230 | 1162-1167 | E338 | 9/1940 | 6 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1625-1633 | 1178-1186 | E343 | 10/1940-11/1940 | 9 |
| Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (Chicago & North Western) | 55 | 1194 | E346 | 10/1940 | 1 |
| Wabash Railroad | 106 | 1197 | E350 | 11/1940 | 1 |
| Southern Railway | 2002-2004 | 1206-1208 | E354 | 11/1940 | 3 |
| Inland Steel Company | 54 | 1223 | E361 | 11/1940 | 1 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 215-216 | 1228-1229 | E364 | 11/1940-12/1940 | 2 |
| Central of Georgia Railway | 2-3 | 1230-1231 | E365 | 1/1941 | 2 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 231-237 | 1233-1239 | E367 | 12/1940-1/1941 | 7 |
| New York Central | 622-641 | 1254-1273 | E372 | 3/1941-9/1941 | 20 |
| New York Central | 642-644 | 1274-1276 | E373 | 4/1941 | 3 |
| New York Central | 645-647 | 1277-1279 | E374 | 7/1941 | 3 |
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy | 9148-9153 | 1280-1285 | E375 | 2/1941 | 6 |
| Donner-Hanna Coke Corporation | 1 | 1305 | E378 | 1/1941 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 30-31 | 1306-1307 | E379 | 2/1941 | 2 |
| Missouri Pacific | 9011 | 1314 | E383 | 8/1941 | 1 |
| Southern Pacific | 1010-1016 | 1316-1322 | E385 | 4/1941-7/1941 | 7 |
| Texas & New Orleans (Southern Pacific) | 11 | 1323 | E385 | 7/1941 | 1 |
| Detroit, Toledo & Ironton | 900-901 | 1324-1325 | E386 | 5/1941-8/1941 | 2 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 14-15 | 1326-1327 | E387 | 3/1941 | 2 |
| International-Great Northern (Missouri Pacific) | 9204-9205 | 1338-1339 | E392 | 6/1941 | 2 |
| Milwaukee Road | 1634 | 1369 | E399 | 9/1941 | 1 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 97-98 | 1378-1379 | E457 | 1/1942 | 2 |
| Great Northern | 5103-5105 | 1380-1382 | E436 | 9/1941 | 3 |
| Wabash Railroad | 107 | 1388 | E403 | 11/1945 | 1 |
| Elgin, Joliet & Eastern | 238-246 | 1396-1404 | E407 | 9/1941-11/1941 | 9 |
| Canton Railroad | 21 | 1448 | E425 | 10/1941 | 1 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 217-218 | 1449-1450 | E426 | 10/1941 | 2 |
| Reading | 23-24 | 1451-1452 | E427 | 11/1941 | 2 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 10 | 1453 | E429 | 11/1941 | 1 |
| Boston & Maine | 1112-1113 | 1457-1458 | E430 | 11/1941 | 2 |
| Central of Georgia Railway | 7 | 1459 | E441 | 12/1941 | 1 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 99 | 1474 | E457 | 1/1942 | 1 |
| Memphis Union Station | 10 | 1475 | E435 | 1/1942 | 1 |
| Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis | 15 | 1537 | E443 | 12/1941 | 1 |
| Louisville & Nashville | 12-15 | 1563-1566 | E448 | 12/1941 | 4 |
| New York Central | 648-650 | 1582-1584 | E456 | 12/1941 | 3 |
| Inland Steel Company | 57 | 1588 | E455 | 12/1941 | 1 |
| New York Central | 651-654 | 1589-1592 | E456 | 1/1942-2/1942 | 4 |
| Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) | 50 | 1597 | E460 | 2/1942 | 1 |
| Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal | 217, 216, 218-221 | 1601-1606 | E462 | 5/1942-8/1942 | 6 |
| Central Railroad of New Jersey | 1011-1012 | 1610-1611 | E465 | 2/1942 | 2 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 11 | 1632 | E469 | 2/1942 | 1 |
| Chicago Short Line | 200 | 1677 | E474 | 2/1942 | 1 |
| Rock Island | 529-536 | 1678-1685 | E475 | 2/1942-4/1942 | 8 |
| Pere Marquette | 11 | 1714 | E478 | 4/1942 | 1 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1207-1212, 1214-1215 | 1738-1745 | E489 | 9/1942-12/1942 | 8 |
| Canton Railroad | 22-23 | 1750-1751 | E493 | 6/1942 | 2 |
| Republic Steel Corporation | 371 | 1778 | E500 | 1/1942 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 5910 | 1852 | E512 | 8/1942 | 1 |
| Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England | 220-221 | 1853-1854 | E513 | 3/1942 | 2 |
| Chicago & Eastern Illinois | 95-96 | 1855-1856 | E514 | 6/1942 | 2 |
| Fort Worth & Denver City (Burlington) | 604 | 1864 | E517 | 8/1942 | 1 |
| New York Central | 580-584 | 1878-1882 | E521 | 12/1942-3/1943 | 5 |
| Republic Steel Corporation (Gadsden, Alabama) | 890-891 | 1936-1937 | E528 | 3/1942 | 2 |
| U.S. Army | 7001 | 1990 | E533 | 3/1942 | 1 |
| U.S. Army | 7003-7004 | 2000-2001 | E543 | 6/1942 | 2 |
| U.S. Army | 7002 | 2012 | E548 | 5/1942 | 1 |
| Broward County Port Authority (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) | 400 | 2384 | E595 | 2/1943 | 1 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 14 | 2864 | E638 | 6/1946 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 16-18 | 3182-3184 | E656 | 9/1945-10/1945 | 3 |
| Republic Steel (Canton, Ohio) | 50-54 | 3219-3223 | E661 | 10/1945 | 5 |
| Republic Steel (Youngstown, Ohio) | 300-301 | 3224-3225 | E661 | 10/1945 | 2 |
| Illinois Central | 9021-9030 | 3289-3298 | E668 | 6/1946 | 10 |
| Pennsylvania | 5944-5946 | 3414-3416 | E679 | 6/1946 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | 5947-5951 | 3580-3584 | E694 | 6/1946-7/1946 | 5 |
| Wheeling Steel | 1001-1002 | 3769-3770 | E720 | 10/1946 | 2 |
| Boston & Maine | 1114-1116 | 3884-3886 | E727 | 10/1946 | 3 |
| Boston & Maine | 1117 | 3895 | E727 | 10/1946 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 700******* | 3896 | E730 | 10/1946 | 1 |
| Maryland & Pennsylvania | 70 | 4162 | E771 | 12/1946 | 1 |
| Mathieson Chemical Corporation | 1 | 4479 | E804 | 1/1947 | 1 |
| Chicago District Electric Generating Company | 3 | 4492 | E806 | 1/1947 | 1 |
| Manufacturers Junction Railway | 6 | 4498 | E810 | 1/1947 | 1 |
| Atlantic & East Carolina Railroad | 9 | 4582 | E812 | 4/1947 | 1 |
| Wabash | 108 | 4730 | E823 | 4/1947 | 1 |
| Southern Railway | 2007-2011 | 4743-4747 | E827 | 4/1947-8/1947 | 5 |
| St. Joseph Belt Railway (Missouri) | 12 | 4793 | E831 | 4/1947 | 1 |
| Republic Steel (Buffalo, New York) | 372 | 4804 | E835 | 4/1947 | 1 |
| Chattanooga Traction Company | 4 | 4840 | E837 | 4/1947 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 5952-5953 | 4957-4958 | E850 | 9/1947 | 2 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 12 | 4995 | E856 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis | 505-508 | 5022-5025 | E859 | 9/1947-10/1947 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania | 9138, 9137, 9139-9151 | 5370-5384 | E898 | 4/1948-7/1948 | 15 |
| Angelina & Neches River Railroad | 10 | 5656 | E931 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Georgia Marble Company | 1 | 5663 | E933 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 5987-5999 | 5664-5676 | E934 | 3/1948-4/1948 | 13 |
| Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad | 1000-1003 | 5753-5756 | E945 | 3/1948 | 4 |
| Wheeling Steel | 1003-1004 | 5764-5765 | E947 | 8/1948 | 2 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 13 | 5767 | E949 | 3/1948 | 1 |
| Pennsylvania | 9152-9154 | 5814-5816 | E898 | 8/1948 | 3 |
| Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company (West Allis, Wisconsin) | 8 | 5920 | E959 | 9/1947 | 1 |
| Erie Railroad | 360 | 6148 | E977 | 7/1948 | 1 |
| Inland Steel | 70-73 | 6169-6172 | E980 | 3/1948-4/1948 | 4 |
| Hanna Furnace Company | 14-15 | 6258-6259 | E990 | 4/1948, 4/1949 | 2 |
| New York Central | 585-609 | 6391-6415 | E999 | 4/1949-6/1949 | 25 |
| Mathieson Chemical Corporation | 2 | 6466 | E1003 | 4/1949 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 33-34 | 6753-6754 | E1023 | 7/1948, 4/1949 | 2 |
| Pennsylvania | 9200-9209 | 6759-6768 | E1049 | 4/1949 | 10 |
| Chicago District Electric Generating Company | 4 | 6769 | E1025 | 8/1948 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 22 | 7402 | E1023 | 4/1949 | 1 |
| Roscoe, Snyder & Pacific Railway | 100 | 7458 | E1061 | 8/1949 | 1 |
| Rock Island | 537-546 | 7473-7482 | E1064 | 7/1949 | 10 |
| Union Railroad | 455-468 | 7502-7515 | E1070 | 6/1949-8/1949 | 14 |
| Wabash | 109 | 7533 | E1094 | 6/1949 | 1 |
| Wabash | 110-111 | 7741-7742 | E1094 | 6/1949 | 2 |
| Canton Railroad | 24-25 | 7744-7745 | E1067 | 8/1949 | 2 |
| Detroit Edison | 210-211 | 8152-8153 | E1139 | 4/1949 | 2 |
| Chicago Short Line | 201 | 8154 | E1140 | 4/1949 | 1 |
| Boston & Maine | 1118 | 8321 | E1154 | 4/1949 | 1 |
| Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (Monon) | 5-6 | 8423-8424 | E1254 | 8/1949 | 2 |
| Union Railroad | 469-470 | 8531-8532 | E1185 | 1/1950-2/1950 | 2 |
| Galveston Wharves | 201-202 | 8613-8614 | E1194 | 4/1949 | 2 |
| Galveston Wharves | 203-204 | 10083-10084 | 6041 | 12/1949 | 2 |
| Central Indiana Railway | 1 | 10111 | 6005 | 7/1949 | 1 |
| Great Northern | 80-82 | 10118-10120 | 4027 | 1/1950 | 3 |
| Commonwealth Edison | 15 | 10538 | 4034 | 9/1950 | 1 |
| Union Railroad | 471-476 | 10900-10905 | 4042 | 7/1950 | 6 |
| Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad | 60-61 | 11009-11010 | 6060 | 12/1949 | 2 |
| Great Northern | 83 | 11025 | 4047 | 1/1950 | 1 |
| Georgia & Florida Railroad | 70-72 | 11097-11099 | 6070 | 7/1950 | 3 |
| Pennsylvania | 9396-9428 | 11190-11222 | 6081 | 7/1950-11/1950 | 33 |
| Public Service Company Of Northern Illinois | 9 | 11227 | 6083 | 1/1950 | 1 |
| McLouth Steel | 3 | 11316 | 6086 | 1/1950 | 1 |
| St. Joseph Terminal | 1-2 | 11378-11379 | 6089 | 2/1950 | 2 |
| New York Central | 610-614 | 11767-11771 | 6115 | 10/1950 | 5 |
| New York Central (Chicago River & Indiana) | 615-621 | 11782-11788 | 6116 | 6/1950-10/1950 | 7 |
| Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad | 62-65 | 11938-11941 | 4060 | 10/1950 | 4 |
| Detroit Edison | 212 | 12087 | 6133 | 10/1950 | 1 |
| Lehigh Valley | 118-119 | 12212-12213 | 4067 | 12/1950 | 2 |
| Republic Steel (Youngstown, Ohio) | 302-303 | 12734, 13139 | 6167, 6183 | 10/1950-11/1950 | 2 |
| Inland Steel (East Chicago, Indiana) | 76-77 | 13547-13548 | 6215 | 11/1950-12/1950 | 2 |
| Inland Steel (East Chicago, Indiana) | 78-80 | 13575-13577 | 4094 | 3/1951 | 3 |
| New York, Chicago & St. Louis (Nickel Plate Road) | 105-106 | 13705-13706 | 6213 | 12/1950 | 2 |
| Allegheny & South Side Railway | 101 | 14058 | 4101 | 3/1951 | 1 |
| Republic Steel | 304 | 14098 | 6240 | 3/1951 | 1 |
| Illinois Central | 9031-9032 | 14388-14389 | 4119 | 8/1951 | 2 |
| Republic Steel (Youngstown, Ohio) | 305 | 14391 | 6262 | 3/1951 | 1 |
| Public Service Company Of Northern Illinois | 10 | 14478 | 6261 | 8/1951 | 1 |
| McLouth Steel | 4 | 14507 | 6267 | 3/1951 | 1 |
| Republic Steel | 306 | 14559 | 6266 | 8/1951 | 1 |
| Republic Steel (Cleveland, Ohio) | 340-341 | 14560-14561 | 6317 | 8/1951 | 2 |
| Chihuahua Forests Company (Mexico) | 500 | 14654 | 6296 | 8/1951 | 1 |
| Granite City Steel | 600-601 | 14721-14722 | 6292 | 8/1951 | 2 |
| Inland Steel | 81 | 14741 | 4094 | 3/1951 | 1 |
| Republic Steel (Gadsden, Alabama) | 893 | 14742 | 6316 | 8/1951 | 1 |
| Galveston Wharves | 205 | 14985 | 6324 | 8/1951 | 1 |
| Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 152******** | 15557 | 4152 | 6/1951 | 1 |
| Republic Steel (Youngstown, Ohio) | 352 | 16116 | 6379 | 2/1952 | 1 |
| Republic Steel (Gadsden, Alabama) | 894 | 16117 | 6394 | 2/1952 | 1 |
| Great Western Railway of Colorado | 61 | 16446 | 6391 | 2/1952 | 1 |
| Public Service Company Of Northern Illinois | 11 | 16704 | 6371 | 6/1952 | 1 |
| Portland Traction Company | 100 | 16889 | 6399 | 2/1952 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 36 | 17114 | 6435 | 3/1953 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 35 | 17137 | 6421 | 12/1952 | 1 |
| Louisiana Midland Railway | 11 | 17143 | 6437 | 6/1952 | 1 |
| Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago | 1-3 | 17235-17237 | 6417 | 7/1952-12/1952 | 3 |
| Garden City Western | 201 | 17564 | 6472 | 10/1952 | 1 |
| Portland Traction Company | 200 | 17709 | 4210 | 3/1953 | 1 |
| McLouth Steel | 5 | 17895 | 6478 | 3/1953 | 1 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1268-1270, 1272-1273 | 18101-18105 | 4177 | 5/1953 | 5 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1271 | 18111 | 4227 | 5/1953 | 1 |
| Chicago & North Western | 1274-1279 | 18106-18110, 18112-18113 | 4228 | 5/1953 | 6 |
| Boston & Maine | 1119-1132 | 18186-18199 | 4214 | 7/1953-8/1953 | 14 |
| Warner Sand & Gravel Company | 15 | 18279 | 6508 | 5/1953 | 1 |
| Hanna Furnace Company | 16 | 18299 | 6510 | 5/1953 | 1 |
| Lehigh Portland Cement Company | 5 | 18441 | 6519 | 5/1953 | 1 |
| Sahara Coal Company | No Number | 18721 | 4237 | 9/1953 | 1 |
| Great Lakes Steel | 38 | 18783 | 4242 | 9/1953 | 1 |
| Cleveland Quarries Company | 2 | 19304 | 4254 | 11/1953 | 1 |
* Became Inland Steel Company #51 in January, 1940.
** Became Southern Pacific #1000.
*** Became Central of Georgia #1.
**** Became Western Pacific #501.
***** This unit was built as Atlantic Coast Line #1901 but ultimately rejected and returned to EMD where it was resold to Richmond Terminal.
****** Became Great Lakes Steel #11.
******* Became Manufacturers Junction Railway #7.
******** Became Scullin Steel #6.
Pennsylvania SW1 #8590 (Class ES-6) was photographed here in Cincinnati, Ohio, circa 1967. The switcher was originally built as #5990 in March, 1948 and had been renumbered here in preparation for the upcoming Penn Central merger. Fred Byerly photo. American-Rails.com collection.Sources
- EMD. Operating Manual #2303: 600 & 1000 HP Switching Locomotives (Models SW1 & NW2; 567 & 567A Engines). La Grange: Electro-Motive Division (General Motors Corporation).
- EMD. Operating Manual #2303: 600 & 1200 HP Switching Locomotives (Models SW1 & SW7; 567 Series Engines). La Grange: Electro-Motive Division (General Motors Corporation), January, 1950 (5th Edition).
- Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
- Hayden, Bob. Diesel Locomotives: Cyclopedia, Volume 2 (Model Railroader). Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1980.
- Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.
- Solomon, Brian. EMD Locomotives. Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.
A handsome Monon Railroad SW1 in a scene probably dating to the 1950's. Date, location, and photographer not listed. American-Rails.com collection.Other new additions included a lower exhaust stack (which became standard on all future EMD switcher locomotives) for better crew visibility, rectangular instead of curved windshields above the hood (beginning in the mid-1950s), and twin sealed-beam headlights.
The SW1 enjoyed a long production run, from December, 1938 through November, 1953. Due to their flexibility, reliability and cheap price, numerous Class Is and short lines purchased switcher with some 660 manufactured over thirteen years.
It also found great interest in the private sector where companies like Wheeling Steel, Warner Sand & Gravel, Republic Steel, Cleveland Quarries, and even the U.S. Army bought the model.
Photos
Milwaukee Road SW1s #952 and #953 in freight service at Brownsdale, Minnesota in February, 1964. Today, this section of the Milwaukee across southern Minnesota is abandoned. Rick Burn photo.Recent Articles
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BLET Members Ratify Five-Year Deal on the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern
Nov 01, 26 11:48 AM
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen members have ratified a five-year agreement with CPKC covering Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern lines. Engineers' hourly pay rises 41.42 percent over the… -
Canada Lists Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a Project of National Interest
Nov 01, 26 11:03 AM
On October 30, 2026, Canada listed the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 container project at the Port of Vancouver as a project of national interest. The listing includes a widened causeway for rail. -
Amtrak Finishes the First Street Tunnel Work South of Union Station
Nov 01, 26 09:59 AM
Amtrak on October 26, 2026 finished nine days of work at A Interlocking in the First Street Tunnel south of Washington Union Station. Trains south of the station are back. -
CPKC Asks the STB to End the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Review
Nov 01, 26 12:23 AM
CPKC on October 30, 2026 asked the Surface Transportation Board to end its review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, citing remarks by the Union Pacific chief executive. -
U.S. Rail Traffic Rose 7.8 Percent in the Week Ending October 24
Nov 01, 26 12:13 AM
U.S. railroads moved 538,503 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending October 24, 2026, up 7.8 percent from a year earlier, the Association of American Railroads said. -
Schneider Will Shift Its Eastern Intermodal Freight to NS
Nov 01, 26 12:06 AM
Schneider said October 29, 2026 that Norfolk Southern will be its primary eastern railroad. The move from CSX begins next month, with official implementation on January 1. -
Union Pacific Dispatchers Will Vote on ATDA Representation
Nov 01, 26 12:00 AM
The National Mediation Board has authorized a representation election for Union Pacific train dispatchers. The American Train Dispatchers Association announced the decision on October 29, 2026. -
Wabash Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 31, 26 12:35 AM
Wabash diesel locomotives, each frame once, through the lease at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964. -
Wabash Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 31, 26 12:30 AM
Wabash steam locomotives built since 1900. Moguls, Mikados, Mountains, and the O-1 Northerns. -
Wabash Railroad: Map, Rosters, History, Logo
Oct 31, 26 12:28 AM
History of the Wabash Railroad, from the Northern Cross of 1838 to the Norfolk & Western lease at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964. Follow the Flag. Steam and diesel rosters are separate pages. -
Court Clears $257.7 Million in Notes for Brightline Florida
Oct 31, 26 12:18 AM
A New Jersey bankruptcy court on October 29, 2026 authorized $257.7 million in notes for Brightline Trains Florida. The operating company is not one of the 17 debtor holding companies. -
Brightline West Still Waiting on a $6 Billion Federal Loan
Oct 31, 26 12:11 AM
Brightline West said October 27, 2026 that it is still working through a $6 billion federal loan and still talks about opening in 2029. The Florida restructuring is a separate company. -
BNSF Reopens the Gallup Subdivision After New Mexico Flooding
Oct 31, 26 12:06 AM
BNSF said October 28, 2026 that both Gallup Subdivision main tracks are back after flooding near Laguna, New Mexico. The El Paso Subdivision was still out of service. -
CSX Says Interchange Is Moving Again After a Technology Outage
Oct 31, 26 12:01 AM
CSX said October 29, 2026 that interchange with other Class I railroads is moving again after a technology outage that began October 27. Dispatching and positive train control stayed up. -
Baldwin "Baby Face" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster
Oct 30, 26 11:01 PM
Baldwin's Babyface cab on the early road diesels: 50 short-cab units, 1946-1948, plus the related Centipede. Construction numbers, specs, and the sharknose that followed. -
California High-Speed Rail Chief Resigns
Oct 30, 26 08:36 PM
Ian Choudri resigned October 28, 2026 as chief executive of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The board named Joe Stephenshaw interim chief executive. -
The 1910 Portal Bridge Is Handed Over for Demolition
Oct 30, 26 04:03 PM
Amtrak handed the 1910 Portal Bridge over for demolition on October 29, 2026, during the final cutover to Portal North. Regular NJ Transit and Amtrak schedules are expected November 15. -
Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Review Runs to 2027
Oct 30, 26 03:59 PM
Union Pacific says the Surface Transportation Board's review of the Norfolk Southern merger gathers information through May 28, 2027. A closing still depends on board approval. -
Amtrak Board Will Hear Restructuring Comments on November 10
Oct 30, 26 03:41 PM
Amtrak's board will hear public comments on its restructuring on November 10, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. Written comments were due October 30. A proposal goes to the board in December. -
Canadian Pacific Selkirk 5931 Restored in Calgary
Oct 30, 26 01:36 PM
Heritage Park in Calgary unveiled a cosmetic restoration of Canadian Pacific 2-10-4 No. 5931 on October 27, 2026. One of two surviving Selkirks. It stays on display. -
Gettysburg Railway to Host Steam for Lincoln
Oct 30, 26 01:18 PM
Northern Central Railway of York No. 17 will recreate Lincoln's arrival at Gettysburg on November 18, 2026, with public steam trips November 19-21. -
NC&StL No. 576 to Steam for the Public in Nashville
Oct 30, 26 01:00 PM
Nashville Steam will fire NC&StL 4-8-4 No. 576 for the public on November 7, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 220 Willow Street. Admission is free. -
Pennsylvania Railroad E8s Join the T1 Trust
Oct 30, 26 12:38 PM
The T1 Trust has acquired former Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesels 5702A and 5761A from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. They are bound for Cumberland. -
Ligonier Valley Railroad: History, Roster, Timetable
Oct 30, 26 12:03 PM
The Ligonier Valley Railroad ran 10.5 miles from Latrobe to Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Opened December 1, 1877. Last day August 31, 1952. -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 30, 26 10:25 AM
Toledo, Peoria & Western diesel locomotives, each frame once. Thirteen Alcos, three Lima-Hamilton switchers, and 26 Electro-Motive units. -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Steam Roster
Oct 30, 26 09:14 AM
Toledo, Peoria & Western steam locomotives from the Rogers Consolidations of 1895 through the 4-8-4s of 1937 -
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway: Map, Roster, History
Oct 29, 26 11:12 PM
History of the Toledo, Peoria & Western. The Peoria & Oquawka, George P. McNear, the Santa Fe and Pennsylvania years, and the railroad that came back in 1989. -
Cotton Belt Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 29, 26 07:58 PM
St. Louis Southwestern diesel locomotives, each frame once. Baldwin switchers, F units, and new Cotton Belt-lettered power through the GP60s of May 1990. -
Cotton Belt Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 29, 26 06:52 PM
St. Louis Southwestern steam locomotives built since 1900. Consolidations, Ten-Wheelers, and twenty class L-1 4-8-4s. The quantity column is 297. -
Cotton Belt Railroad: Map, Logo, History, Rosters
Oct 29, 26 10:56 AM
History of the St. Louis Southwestern, the Cotton Belt Route. The Tyler Tap, Paramore's silver spike, the Thebes Bridge, the Blue Streak, and Southern Pacific control. Steam and diesel rosters are sep… -
Pere Marquette Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 11:54 PM
Pere Marquette steam locomotives built since 1900. Consolidations, Mikados, Pacifics, and 39 Berkshires. The quantity column is 503. -
Pere Marquette Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 11:48 PM
Pere Marquette diesel locomotives, each frame once. Two SW1s, 14 NW2s, three GE 70-tonners, eight E7As, and six BL2s delivered lettered Chesapeake and Ohio. The quantity column is 33. -
Pere Marquette Railway: Map, Logo, Rosters, History
Oct 28, 26 11:44 PM
History of the Pere Marquette Railway. Timber roads, the Prince years, the Van Sweringens, the Ludington car ferries, and the Chesapeake and Ohio merger of June 6, 1947. -
Nickel Plate Road (Railroad): Map, History, Rosters
Oct 28, 26 10:51 PM
History of the Nickel Plate Road, the New York, Chicago and St. Louis. The Seney syndicate, the Van Sweringens, the Berkshires, and the Norfolk and Western absorption at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964… -
Nickel Plate Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 10:48 PM
Nickel Plate diesel locomotives, each frame once. Alco switchers and PAs, GP7s and GP9s, and the GP30s. The quantity column is 440. The 1950 fleet was 117. -
Nickel Plate Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 10:43 PM
Nickel Plate steam locomotives built since 1900, including the Lake Erie and Western, the Clover Leaf, and the Wheeling engines that took Nickel Plate numbers. The quantity column is 786. -
EMD "E9" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, History
Oct 28, 26 10:37 PM
EMD E9 cab units and boosters, 2,400 horsepower, built April 1954 through January 1964. Gear ratios, specifications, and the production roster by owner, serial, and order. -
NYC 4-6-4 #5344, "Commodore Vanderbilt"
Oct 28, 26 04:31 PM
NYC J-1e Hudson 5344, the Commodore Vanderbilt. Alco, November 1931. Carl Kantola’s shroud, December 1934, then a Dreyfuss bullet nose in 1939. Scrapped at Collinwood in 1954. -
New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois Railroad: A South Bend Shortline
Oct 28, 26 11:05 AM
The New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois, the Jersey Line, ran from South Bend to Pine. Singer built it in 1905. Wabash stock control came in 1926. Two diesels, and the steam the record names. -
Monon Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 10:13 AM
Monon diesel locomotives, each frame once. F3s, nine BL2s, the C420s, and eight U23Bs. The quantity column is 96. The 1951 fleet was 57. -
Monon Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 10:09 AM
Monon steam locomotives built since 1900. Twelve-Wheelers, Mikados, light Pacifics, and thirteen six-wheel switchers. The quantity column is 148. -
Monon Railroad: Map, Photos, History, Logo
Oct 28, 26 09:55 AM
History of the Monon, the Hoosier Line. The New Albany & Salem, the X at Monon, Barriger's streamliners, and the Louisville & Nashville merger of July 31, 1971. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 28, 26 09:48 AM
All-time diesel roster of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas. 406 locomotives, each frame once. Baldwin switchers, Alco cab units, F units, Geeps, and the SD40-2s. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)
Oct 28, 26 09:43 AM
Missouri-Kansas-Texas steam locomotives built since 1900. Moguls, Mikados, Pacifics, and the narrow-gauge shop tanks. The quantity column is 715. -
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy): Map, History, Rosters
Oct 27, 26 11:02 PM
History of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas, the Katy. The race into Indian Territory, Gould, the 1923 railroad, the Texas Special, and the 1988 sale. Steam and diesel rosters are linked. -
Soo Line Diesel Roster (All-Time)
Oct 27, 26 10:55 PM
All-time diesel roster of the Soo Line and the Wisconsin Central. 786 locomotives, each frame once. Cab units, Geeps, the Milwaukee Road engines, and the SD60s. The South Shore's 24 stay on that page.
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