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Wabash Diesel Roster (All-Time)

Published: May 2, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The Wabash Railroad, once a vital player in America's transportation network, offered significant contributions to the expansion and economic development of the Midwest.

Its story intertwines with key episodes of American railroading, embodying pioneering breakthroughs, economic battles, and a continual adaptation to the shifting landscapes of American commerce.

During the diesel era the railroad operated examples from all of the major builders but was particularly fond of EMD and Alco products.  Interestingly, the company even tried out a few of Lima's rare examples.  The information covered further below highlights its all-time diesel roster.

The Wabash's origins trace back to 1837, when the Northern Cross Railroad was chartered in Illinois. It was one of the earliest railroads in the region, eventually forming part of the great system known as the Wabash after several acquisitions and reorganizations.

The pivotal year was 1877, when the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway Company formally came into existence after the consolidation of several smaller lines. This network extended through the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, and later into Indiana and Michigan, establishing a robust framework for trade and passenger movement.

Growth came through both construction and mergers. One significant merger was with the Detroit and Chicago Railroad in 1889, which allowed the Wabash to extend its reach into Michigan and into the lucrative markets of Detroit and Chicago.

Around the turn of the 20th century, the railroad fell into financial distress, reshaping through receiverships and reorganizations. It was in 1915 when the modern entity known as the Wabash Railway emerged after yet another reorganization phase.

During its prime, the Wabash benefitted from the booming agricultural sector, transporting grain, livestock, and other goods across the heartland. Moreover, the rail network was pivotal during both World Wars, transporting troops and materials, which solidified its importance in American transportation history.

Its most celebrated passenger service, the Blue Bird and its counterpart the Banner Blue, provided luxurious mid-20th-century travel between St. Louis and Chicago, featuring innovative amenities and styling.

However, the post-war era signaled change as competition from road and air transportation began to undermine traditional rail service. The Wabash confronted financial challenges, like many railroads during that era.

In a strategic response to this industry-wide crisis, it entered into a merger with the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1964, effectively marking the end of the Wabash as an independent entity. This merger was part of a broader consolidation trend in the industry aimed at reducing competition and streamlining operations amid declining rail traffic.

The legacy of the Wabash endures, particularly through its impact on the regions it served. The Wabash's innovative practices, such as the development of piggyback freight service (transporting truck trailers on flatcars), set industry standards.

Today, the former routes of the Wabash form key parts of major national railway systems, continuing to facilitate commerce and connectivity in the American Midwest.

The story of the Wabash Railroad is thus one of innovation, adaptation, and integration, reflective of the broader narrative of American railroads. Its rich history offers invaluable insights into the transformation of transportation logistics and the economic development of the United States from the 19th century onward.

Alco

* Wabash ordered C425s as #582-589 but these units were completed as Norfolk & Western 1000-1007.

Baldwin Locomotive Works

EMD

Note A:

• #1168, #1170, and #1180A wrecked in 4/1965.
• #1172A wrecked, and then scrapped in 11/1959. This unit would have became #692.
• #1183 sold to Ann Arbor in 11/1963.
• #689-690, #697, #703, #705, #712, #714-#715, and #717-718 leased to CNJ.

Fairbanks-Morse

General Electric

Lima-Hamilton

Sources

• Grant, Roger H. "Follow The Flag": A History Of The Wabash Railroad Company. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 2004.

• Heimburger, Donald J. Wabash. River Forest: Heimburger House Publishing Company, 1984.

• Kirkland, John F. Diesel Builders, The:  Volume One, Fairbanks-Morse And Lima-Hamilton. Glendale: Interurban Press, 1985.

• Kirkland, John F. Diesel Builders, The:  Volume Three, Baldwin Locomotive Works. Pasadena: Interurban Press, 1994.