Guilford Diesel Locomotives

When Guilford acquired its rail network, it inherited a varied fleet of locomotives, primarily consisting of four-axle units sourced from its predecessor lines. These locomotives reflected the diverse manufacturing styles of the three major builders of the era. EMD models formed the backbone of the roster, ranging from early end-cab switchers and first-generation GP7s and GP9s to the more advanced GP38s, GP38-2s, GP39-2s, and GP40-2s. General Electric’s contribution was equally noteworthy, including the Delaware & Hudson’s U23Bs, six-axle U33Cs, Maine Central’s compact U18Bs, and a few ex-Rock Island U25Bs. Interestingly, Boston & Maine, one of Guilford’s core predecessor lines, had not acquired any GE road units prior to the Guilford era. Alco locomotives were also present, with the Delaware & Hudson supplying RS11s, RS36s, RS3us, ex-Lehigh Valley C-420s, and modernised C424ms. However, most Alco models were retired within a few years, leaving only the C424ms in active service for a longer period.

As this ageing fleet began to show its limitations, Guilford increasingly relied on the second-hand locomotive market to modernise its operations. The company acquired a wide range of used units, primarily built in the 1960s, which offered an affordable solution to its power needs. Among these were EMD GP35s and GP40s, as well as heavier six-axle models like SD39s, SD40s, and U30Cs. Guilford also obtained distinctive high-hood SD45s from Norfolk Southern and, perhaps most famously, a significant number of SD26s (35), originally built for the Santa Fe Railway. These acquisitions arrived in waves over the years: ex-Conrail GP40s in 1984, Penn Central/Conrail U33Bs in 1985, SD26s and SD45s (15) between 1986 and 1987, Norfolk & Western/Norfolk Southern GP35s in the early 1990s, and a second group of ex-Conrail GP40s in 1995.

Guilford Locomotive Roster 1984-88

Reporting
Mark		No.TypePhotographsNotes
BM100EMD Road SlugRRPABy December 1984. Rebuilt from the frame of Union Pacific GP9 134.
BM190GE U33BRRPABy December 1984.
BM1971GE U33BRRPA?
BM192GE U33BRRPABy October 1987.
BM200EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM201EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM202EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM203EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM204EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM205EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM206EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM207EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM208EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM209EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM210EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM211EMD GP38-2RRPA
BM300EMD GP40-2RRPABy December 1984.
BM301EMD GP40-2RRPABy December 1984.
BM358EMD GP39-2RRPABy June 1985. Ex D&H 7618.
BM368EMD GP39-2RRPABy February 1985. Ex D&H 7608.
BM663GE U30CRRPABy May 1987.
DH373EMD GP39-2RRPABy June 1988. Sold 1991.
DH374EMD GP39-2RRPABy March 1988. Sold 1991.
DH420ALCO C420RRPABy September 1985.
DH7324
DH7402EMD GP39-2RRPABy August 1987. Sold 1991.
DH7405EMD GP39-2RRPABy August 1987. Renumbered as DH 374 by March 1988.
DH7406EMD GP39-2RRPABy June 1988. Sold 1991.
MEC251EMD GP38
MEC252EMD GP38
MEC258EMD GP38
MEC263EMD GP38
…
MEC504
MEC563
MEC573
ST18EMD GP7RRPABy May 1987.
ST633
ST638EMD SD26RRPABy September 1987.
ST643EMD SD26RRPABy July 1987.
ST675EMD SD45
ST676EMD SD45
ST677EMD SD45
ST678EMD SD45
ST679EMD SD45
ST680EMD SD45
ST681EMD SD45
ST682EMD SD45
ST683EMD SD45
ST684EMD SD45
ST685EMD SD45
ST686EMD SD45
ST687EMD SD45
ST688EMD SD45
ST689EMD SD45

More Information

  • Plant, Jeremy F., and Brian D. Plant. Guilford Rail System In Color Volume 2: 1980s to Pan Am. Morning Sun Books, 2024.