Build Date Information

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know of a good reference, preferably in a single source, where build dates for various engine types are listed? I'm trying to establish a timeline, or era, on my HO model layout and I have several different engine types. I hoping to establish an era around my current roster and then fine tune it into a 10 to 15 year time period.

My roster currently consists of F units, GP-35, 38, 40, SD40, 45, RS-1, SW1200, and S-1.

My preference for a time period would be late transtion, say 1955 and up.

[Big_Boy_4005]

The Publication date on The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide is 1973. All of those locomotives are included in the book. It's those SD's and GP's that are going to be the latest production, and move the date into the mid 60's. The rest go back to the 50's. Say 1963 and later is safe for that roster.

[Anonymous]

How long would a railroad keep and older engine active. Say the F units for instance. How long did the B&O keep them? Are you saying they would be around in 1963?

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm saying that they all could be on a railroad's roster circa 1963. The newest models on that list were just released then. All of the others were either still in production or only recently discontinued in the early 60's. Setting your year any time after 1963 makes all of the engines fair game.

As for when railroads got rid of certain models, and which models they bought in the first place, that would take some specific research. In general, if an engine still ran well, it could stay in service 20 to 30 years.

Different railroads had different practices. I suppose that if they were starting to have too much trouble with a certain type they would get rid of them. If they couldn't get parts, if they were coming into the shop too much, or just plain high mileage. When do you get rid of an old car? Keep in mind that an engine costs a lot more than a car, and is expected to last longer too. Some old bodies were rebuilt, some were sold off, and some were scrapped. I think there are some early GP's and rebuilt F's still running almost 50 years later. Not many, but some.

If you are a B&O fan, try the B&O historical society. I know there is one, but I don't have a link. It should pop up quickly with a Google search. Look for an "all time diesel roster", I saw one over on the GN historical society site.

Alright, you got me curious, so here's the link.
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/bo.html
I didn't look for the overlap in dates, and they didn't say when the different types were retired, but there is a very good chance that your entire list was in service one day in the early 60's. The roster will help you choose which engines to buy in the future. There are also photos of many of the road numbers. Have fun!!!

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgoodlander

F units, GP-35, 38, 40, SD40, 45, RS-1, SW1200, and S-1.

This book has the infor you want:
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/01054.html

F units (FT 's) first showed up just before WWII, the last ones were FL9's for the NH in the early '60's.

The GP35 (and SD35) was the last of the 567 engine EMD, circa '63-'65.

The 645 engined GP38, GP39, GP40, SD40, SD45 were introduced in 1965.

The Alco S1 dates from before WWII.

The SW1200 was mid '50s to mid '60s and was replaced by the SW1500 which had a 645 engine.

567 and 645 are familied EMD diesel engines, with the number denoting cubic inch displacement per cylinder.

[Anonymous]

So you are saying I should stop buying freight equipment with a build date later than 1965 or so?

You two have been a great help, and thanks for the website link.

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgoodlander

So you are saying I should stop buying freight equipment with a build date later than 1965 or so?

No definitely not. The 645 engined EMD's were first introduced in 1965, and many are still in service today, especially the GP38 (and the GP38-2 introduced in 1972). In Shakopee, MN, the UP uses a pair of GP38-2 for transfer runs to the CP. Yesterday, one of CP's transfer runs had a GP38 and a GP38-2.

The GP40, SD40/45 stayed in mainline service into the late 1980's They tend to be run harder and faster than the GP38, and got used up faster.

One scenario that would work with your current roster is in the 1970's. The RS-1 would be in a museum, and the S-1 would be owned and used by an industrial customer for in plant switching. The F units would either heading for a scrapper or a museum in the near future. The 40/45 locos would be the main power, the 35/38 handling locals, and the SW1200 taking care of the yard.

Nigel

[Anonymous]

Nigel,

I like that proposed scenario with one expection,....my poor F units heading for scrap!! In my little slice of the freelanced B&O I think I'll keep the F units as main line power forever.

Thanks guys, this helps me a lot.