Trains.com

The first shall be last: FT demonstrator joins the cast of Streamliners at Spencer

Posted by Jim Wrinn
on Thursday, May 29, 2014


Soo Line FP7 2500, N&W 611, and UP E9 get attention at the Spencer turntable.

SPENCER, N.C. – Of all the engines to be the last one to arrive. It had to be the FT demonstrator, the first streamlined freight diesel that General Motors built back in 1939, the diesel locomotive that proved to steam-powered railroads that they were making the right choice by changing the power of their freight trains. It’s the great-grandfather of all modern locomotives. It was the last the arrive on the eve of Streamliners at Spencer, the four-day festival dedicated to the covered wagons of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

Norfolk Southern arranged to borrow the locomotive, No. 103, from the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis for the event, and its arrival Wednesday afternoon brought to an end the saga of 26 streamlined locomotives making the pilgrimage across the country. Earlier in the afternoon, Juniata Terminal’s two Pennsylvania Railroad E8s, Nos. 5809 and 5711, pulled in with a three-car private train. So the cast is all on hand.

Also taking place Wednesday, NS ran truing brakeshoes on UP E9 No. 949 to polish out a flatspot on the wheels of the lead axle; Railroad Museum of New England volunteers upfitted New Haven FL9 No. 2019; and Fire Up 611! Volunteers washed the streamlined 4-8-4 for its role in Friday’s ceremonial start to the locomotive’s restoration.

Today is the first full day of the festival, and we’ll have more coverage Friday  on our Web site and also in our August issue.


Once long-associated railroad companies, N&W 611 and Pennsylvania E8 reunite.


FT demonstrator arrives just in time.

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