Modern locos

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I am modeling a present day train layout. Is there a source that would give me a list of current train styles that are being utilized (i.e. F9,SD70 etc.)? I am modeling the southwest if this makes a difference.

Thanks,

Dennis

2

You probably want The Contemporary Diesel Spotter’s Guide.

3

Perhaps I should rephrase this… If you are modeling the present day, what type (F9, SD70 etc.) of loco are you running? The southwest is the area I am modeling.

4

I just Googled BNSF locomotive roster and UP locomotive roster. I would suggest you do the same:

Complete listings of locomotives for both rail empires, including class, road numbers, date in service and, in the case of the BNSF, current status and assignment as of 2009.

Google is your friend - but YOU have to inquire.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

5

Kalmbach publishes a “Diesel Locomotive Rosters” book updated every couple of years. Your LHS (local hobby shop) will probably have the most recent one in stock.

6

Generically, SD70/SD70M/SD70M-2/SD70ACe series and AC400CW/C44-9W, ES44AC, ES44DC locos are the more modern types out there. Older units like SD40-2s, SD60s, GP38-2s, etc. are still common. Even older units like GP9s are mostly gone, but some rebuilt units are still in use in local and yard service, or on small shortline railroads.

You will be very hard pressed to find any cab units like F9s in service anywhere but the obscurest backwoods shortline. They’ve been completely gone from all major railroads for decades, except for a few rebuilt units on executive business trains.

7

Thanks everyone. Exactly what I was looking for!

Dennis

8

You can also have a quick look at the Diesel Shop (http://www.thedieselshop.us/) - they have some roster data both for smaller and bigger current railroads, and for some former railroads.

You can e.g. see that the Texas City Terminal Railroad in 2010 ran at least three MP15DC engines (numbered 35, 36 and 37), and so on and so forth. Not an exhaustive source, but it will give you some concrete data points.

Smile,
Stein

9

Best thing is to find what is available and google it. The current loco’s were pretty much covered and a few were missed. If you go to the athearn, Atlas, Broadway Limited, Bachmann, and MTH sites you’ll get a good feel for what’s readily available. Some even have a history of each loco.

10

What sort of “present day” are you modelling? A Heritage centre RR, a Shortline, Regional, Industrial or Class 1 with Intermodal and Amtrak?

You can run covered wagons alongside the latest AC if you come up with a rationale. What do you want to do to please your eye?

I have reasons to run all I want from steam to GP60Ms. Plus everything from Varnish to Intermodal… this isn’t as horrific as some will expect… a preserved line has a facility next to two Class 1 roads. I get the best of both worlds.

[8D]

11

This layout is really just a basic setup for me and my grandsons and kids that may stop by. I have a Southern Colorado/New Mexico theme in mountains and colors with a town being formed and a very small switching yard. Because I have plenty of modern vehicles, I thought it would be best to have a modern day loco to fit the layout scheme. I may set up an excursion train as I have a waterfall, lake, beach etc. so this would lend itself to most any train. I wanted something modern as well hence the question. I have lots of useful information that has been shared and it will help in my purchase of a few trains.

Thanks everyone.