I would like to get an online site or reference book that lists all the different locomotives
(steam & diesel) and what years they were operated. It seem this information is some-
what scattered with nothing all inclusive.
I can give you two for diesel:
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The Model Railroader’s Guide to Diesel Locomotives by Jeff Wilson. Available thru Kalmbach.
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Model Railroader’s Locomotive Cyclopedia Vol 2, Diesel Locomotives by Bob Hayden. It’s out of print, but you might be able to score a copy on eBay or at a local swap meet. Or if your local NMRA chapter (or member) has a copy, maybe they’d let you borrow it.
For steam, there is a Vol 1 of #2 above, not sure if that one is still in print.
Good luck!
Jim
That is because it isn’t quite as easy as it sounds to compile. Diesels are much easier than steam, but even so there are all the railroads private shops and re-builds and the like.
I could refer you to the Diesel Spotter’s Guide, and The Locomotives that Baldwin Built. There is also one about Alco locomotives, but I can’t remember the title. Obviously not nearly “all inclusive”.
For example the American Class of locomotive 4-4-0 appeared in the Vintage steam era, was the primary time in the Early steam era, and new ones were still being built in the Classic Steam era. I can say for certain the only thing the orginal 4-4-0 and the last one built had in common was power by steam and the wheel arrangement. I don’t think there were any 4-4-0’s built in the Super Steam Era.
If it was that simple.IMHO there may not be a complete answer due to the variables.
How about a 3 truck shay that operated in revenue service into the 70s?
How about Baldwin switchers still in operation?
Steam lasted into the 70s (early 80s?) on one short line.
Then you still have RS1s still working,some FMs are still at work.
Books isn’t the answer in this case…One will need to do a in depth research project with goggle.
Hello JT,
The most encyclopedic reference on steam power is The Guide to North American Steam Locomotives compiled by George Drury. It has rosters for all major railroads from 1900 to 1960 (the end of mainline steam in North America), as well as articles on all the major types or wheel arrangements as well as on major builders and appliances. It’s an invaluable reference and a great achievement in railroad history.
The book is out of print, but copies are available from time to time from Amazon and other used book dealers. Now that Kalmbach is starting to offer digital books, perhaps this one will be made available in that format. (Believe me, I have NO inside information or influence on that.)
So long,
Andy
I know what your looking for but over the years I have not been able to find it either. Below is a CP diesel roster chart and they also have similar ones for steam and rolling stock. I think you will find charts like this for most railroads. Just word your question to Google as if you are talking to a person and asking, you will be surprised by the result. I was told that by a tech whiz and by golly he was right. You will have to do a lot of cross referencing and detective work, but I almost always get my answers by doing so.
Most railroads by new loco’s over the same time frames as new models come out. It is when they dispose of them that varies greatly from RR to RR.
http://www.trainweb.org/galt-stn/cproster/main.htm
Brent[C):-)]
For steam locomotives, the best I can suggest is Alfred Bruce’s The Steam Locomotive in America. There is a section that discusses the various wheel arrangements, the period when most were produced, and the number of locomotives produced.
Another book that would be useful if it could be obtained is, American Steam Locomotive: Volume I: Evolution by Frank M. Swengel. This book was supposed to be part of a series, but the author died after publishing volume one. It has been out of print since the 1970s, and is very hard to find. But the book does cover the development of the steam locomotive in chronological order, and in some detail. (This is one book someone ought to either reprint, or transfer to digital. A digital version might make up for the lack of an index that this tome really needs.)
The problem is “era”…it’s pretty easy to find out when a particular type of engine was built, but to find when they were retired is harder to find, especially with diesels. As noted, some diesels that were built in the fifties were retired in the eighties, where some railroads might still be using their versions.
I will second this book. It’s a great general reference on Steam Locomotives and about as all inclusive as it gets.
For diesels I suggest, Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years and Field Guide to Modern Diesel Locomotives. The first book covers diesels built up to 1972 and the latter covers the period 1972 through 2000.
Together, these 3 books do a pretty good job covering the majority of North American locomotives.
Thanks for listing the books ! Have read one of them and need to read the other two.
I agree
I have 2 copies
If you are looking for when a particular locomotive type came into being, then the references are good. If you aren’t looking for “generic” information then you need to corelate the information against roster for the railroad(s) that interest you. Just because a particular type of locomotive came into use in a particular year doesn’t mean that ALL the railroads bought their’s that year. Plus, as mentioned, different railroads retired different types of motive power at different times. There are often web-based rosters for each major railroad and many railroads have their own historical societies that have the information that you might need.