Rare diesel locomotives still in regular service

Diesel-electric locomotives are the backbone of modern-day railroading, offering the power and efficiency needed to haul freight and passenger trains across vast distances. Although much of railroading is dominated by relatively new and popular design models, some rare units continue to operate in various capacities today. Here’s a look at some of these gems.

GP15D and GP20D

A pair of blue locomotives rest in a freight yard under a sunny sky. The locomotive have white roofs and white road numbers. — Two obscure Geeps, an EMD GP15D at left and a GP20D at right, rest between assignments in the Pacific Harbor Line terminal in Los Angeles on January 30, 2022. David Lustig

Manufactured by MotivePower Inc., with involvement from EMD, these light road switchers made their debut in the early 2000s. The GP15D features a Caterpillar 3512 engine, while the GP20D boasts a more robust Caterpillar 3516, making them suitable for various switching duties. Despite their capabilities, they struggled in the market, with only 20 GP15Ds and 40 GP20Ds ever produced and all sold to CIT Group for leasing.

Read more about the GP15D and GP20D

High Hoods

Black diesels with high short hoods work at yard — Two of Norfolk Southern’s remaining diesels with high short hoods, SD40-2 No. 1634 and GP38-2 No 5190, work the yard at Bellevue, Ohio, on Feb. 18, 2023. Joseph Zadeh

Once dominant on mixed-traffic and local jobs in the transition from steam to diesel, high-hood locomotives are now almost exclusively found in yard work along Norfolk Southern, due to the absence of positive train control equipment. Two main classes remain: the GP38-2 and SD40-2, with modifications to keep them running in limited capacity.

Read more about the NS High Hoods

Dash 8-32BWH

Pan shot of passenger train focusing on road-switcher as lead locomotive — P32-8BWH No. 518 leads Amtrak’s northbound Texas Eagle through Atlanta, Ill., on Dec. 26, 2022. Steve Smedley

The “Pepsi Cans,” as nicknamed due to their unique paint scheme, initially served across the major Amtrak routes. In reality, they were mainly a bridge from the Electro-Motive F40PH to the General Electric P40 and P42 Genesis units in the early 1990s. It didn’t take long for the Dash 8-32BWH to be confined to yard and switching duties. Despite their age, the design has kept 16 units active, subbing for Amtrak’s primary fleet as needed.

Read more about the Dash 8-32BWH

B30-7

Diesel locomotive with “FRISCO” lettering on hood — The General Electric B30-7 model has eight tall doors and the characteristic step in the hood of Dash-7 series models. On this unit, it appears between the S and C in FRISCO. The railroad had eight of the 3,000-hp model, built 1977-78. They ride on AAR Type-B trucks. Louis A. Marre collection

With just 399 of these units created by General Electric in the late 1970s, the B30-7 now survives in scattered fleets including Minnesota Commercial and West Tennessee Railroad, with some modified by Union Pacific Railroad for remote control operation. Former Chesapeake & Ohio B30-7 No. 8272 made it to preservation by being donated from CSX Corporation to the Lake Shore Railway Museum, followed by a beautiful restoration.

Read more about the B30-7

U23B

Two yellow locomotives leading freight train — Union Pacific No. 558, built as Missouri Pacific U23B No. 2275 in 1976, leads local LKJ59 near Pacific, Mo., in October 1991. Chris Guss

Known for its versatility, this GE model still hauls freight for a handful of short line railroads across the United States. Notable variants like the remanufactured Super 7-B23s and the unique SF30B continue operations in places like the Minnesota Commercial Railway.

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Canadian National Cowls

Orange and gray cowls on tracks surrounded by snow — A trio of SD50F cowls power an empty Dakota Missouri Valley & Western coal train across the frozen North Dakota countryside. Although this is a common look for most locomotives leading passenger trains, the unique design is unmistakable when powering freight trains. Chris Guss

These distinctive six-axle freight locomotives, particularly the C40-8M, SD50F and SD60F, exist in limited use on short lines and in yard service. The Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western and Northern Plains Railroad operate some surviving units, maintaining a link to the past.

Read more about the CN cowls

SMS Rail Service’s Baldwin fleet

Two green locomotives in industrial yard. — SMS Rail Services Baldwin S12 No. 300 and AS616 No. 554 wait for action at the Pureland Industrial Park in Logan Township, N.J., in 2010. Scott A. Hartley

Encompassing a range of historic Baldwin-built units, SMS Rail Services is a safe haven to more than a dozen of these classic diesels, including the VO660 and AS616. These locomotives continue to function within the company’s industrial operations as well as its tourist excursions under the Woodstown Central Railroad. This dedication not only serves practical needs but also ensures future generations witness these storied machines in action.

Watch SMS Rail Service’s Baldwin fleet in action