I was in the midst of a discussion on another topic about Baldwin units when this question occurred to me. I thought I would post it here as a seperate topic to have more of a chance of being answered.
Probably a USA diesel still working in Cuba! Dave
Do we mean oldest owned by a class1,a shortline or an industrial railroad ?
Yeah…Doesn’t an EMC FT still run in Northern Mexico? That’s about as old as they get diesel-wise. The only thing older is the CB&Q Zephyrs.
I was thinking in any commercial use; shortline, class one, etc outside of a preserved or museum type of operation
There’s a little short line in Modesto Ca. that has an entire fleet of GE 70 tonners that are for the most part 100% original.
My employeer uses a NW2 built in 1947.In New Jersey,SMS uses a few old Baldwins. Joe G.
Relco owns an Alco HH660 (pre-war) which is currently on lease to an industrial user.
I don’t know about the oldest diesel in use, but the one with the oldest PART has to be the ex B&O 8411, an EMD SW-1 built in 1943. It became Winchester & Western 8411 and was later sold to a leasing outfit. Several years back it was assigned to the cold storage company at Mt. Airy, Md. So what’s the oldest part? When the footboards were removed, a piece of old rail was bolted across the the low front to deflect stuff in the track; the rail was IRON PEAR-HEAD RAIL ROLLED IN ENGLAND IN THE 1850’S! I’ve got pictures to prove it. The engine later was replaced at Mt. Airy; last I heard, 8411 was working in the Mechanicsburg-Harrisburg, Pa. area on lease to a private industry. I don’t know if it’s still around or not.
Interesting responses. Do we also include in the mix diesels that have been “rebuilt” or “modified” by the original builder?
Erik
It may be Holly Suger #1
According to Jim in his book Southern Pacific in Color Vol 5, it was still being used at Tracy CA in 2003
The loco was the 4th SW1 outshopped (Feb 1939) by Electro Motive. It ran as a demonstrator until aquired by the SP in April 1939. It was the first diesel loco bought by the SP. Sold to Holly Suger in December 1967.
I remember being taken to see the first EMC diesel loco, a non standard prototype (NC?) operating for a coal mine not far from Pittsburgh in 1977. I’d be surprised if it was still there, but I’d hope it still exists!
Peter
Musuem Wise…WE have the Oldest road Freight locomotive. EMD FT 103