| It Happened During . . . December |  Alan M. Miller photo / J David Ingles collection> |
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| New: 1 December 2024 | Data by: R. Craig |
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| American Locomotive Company | Alco's new Century C628 model came with the promise of low-cost operation, greater unit availability, and more puling power to the rail for traction. The 5700-mile Atlantic Coast Line was ready to see if the new six-axle Alcos could deliver on that promise. In December 1963, the southern-based, Class One carrier took delivery of four 2800-horsepower freight motors, wearing road numbers 2000-2003. An additional seven C628s (#2004-2010) were delivered to the railroad during the following December. The tests appeared to be a moderate success. ACL was also the first railroad to sample Alco's new C630 in 1965. |
| Baldwin Locomotive Works | The most powerful, single-unit diesel-electric locomotive (prior to the 1960s) was produced by Baldwin in 1945, and it was delivered to the Seaboard Air Line, as #4500, in December. Given its extensive length and unusal axle configuration, the 3000-horsepower locomotive was dubbed a "Centipede". Powered by two 608SC engines, the 4500 was BLW's first production streamlined locomotive, as well as the first to feature the "Baby-face" carbody. A total of 14 DR12-8-3000s would be built by the Eddystone Plant for SAL, with the final unit being shipped in January 1948. |
| Electro-Motive Division | In December 1977, the LaGrange locomotive builder unveiled a new 3500-hp GP40X proto-type. The yellow-primered unit contrasted significantly the original EMD GP40X proto-type #433A which was introduced a dozen years earlier. The 433A, which was built atop a GP35 frame, featured a new 3000-hp 645 prime mover and a solid black carbody with a flared-radiator grille that provided improved engine cooling. It was the forerunner of EMD's highly successful GP40/40-2 lines. The latest GP40X also incorporated improved technologies, including a new 645F engine, a single-axle wheel-slip detection system, and HT-B trucks. A total of 23 new GP40Xs were built and were the pre-cursor to the marginally successful GP50 series. |
| Fairbanks-Morse & Company | Chicago was not necessarily a stronghold of first-generation Fairbanks-Morse diesel road power. However, a pair of Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific H15-44s were notable exceptions. When delivered in December 1948, the two Beloit-built diesels wore Rock Island's "Rocket" image and were assigned to suburban commuter service. Repowered by EMD in 1958 with 567B engines, #400 and 401 retained their original road numbers and returned to commuter service wearing a maroon with white accent stripe color scheme. They labored on until retirement in 1966. |
| General Electric | The calendar reads 1991. At the GE Transportation plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, the finishing touches are being applied to the first passenger locomotives built by GE in 17 years. The National Railroad Passenger Association, more commonly referred to as Amtrak, has placed an order for twenty new B32-8WHs. Amtrak, a U.S. Government-owned corporation, provides intercity rail service on 21,000 miles of track in 46 states. The B32-8WH is thought to be an interim purchase while Amtrak's new fleet of passenger locomotives undergoes design and construction. The four-axle GE's silver, red and blue colors draws the nickanme "Pepsi Cans." They carry road numbers 500-519 and are initially assigned to service on the West Coast. |
| Montreal Locomotive Works | By December 1954, the MLW plant in east Montreal plant had produced 142 of the popular 1600-hp RS3s; and it was time to introduce a successor - the RS10. The new catalogue offering would be powered by a much improved, extensively tested 12-cylinder 244G engine. Externally, the new four-axle roadswitcher would feature a high-hood carbody, similar to that of Alco's RSD7, sans the notches in the nose. The inaugural order went to the Canadian Pacific in the form of 21 units. They wore road numbers 8462-8482, with the first units delivered before Christmas. |
| Technology -- Ditch Lights | As of 31 December 1997, the Federal Railroad Administration required locomotives be equipped with ditch lights if they traverse public grade crossings at a speed in excess of 20 mph. Vintage equipment (built prior to 1949) was excluded from the regulation provided it was not employed in regular commuter / passenger service. |
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