Locomotives | Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

Locomotives of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad

Below is a diesel locomotive roster for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL), organized by manufacturer and then by model. This roster includes the number of units the ACL owned for each model. There are numerous websites, books, and archived reference materials that include the details of each locomotive.

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

• E3A: The ACL acquired its first two streamlined passenger diesels in 1939 for its premier passenger train, The Champion.
  • Number of units: 2
• E6A/E6B: These passenger units were purchased to support the growing passenger business in the early 1940s.
  • Number of units: 11 E6As and 2 E6Bs
• E7A: The ACL purchased more E-units after World War II to meet the demand for its passenger services.
  • Number of units: 15
• E8A/E8B: Delivered in the early 1950s, these units were among the last E-units the ACL purchased.
  • Number of units: 12 E8As and 4 E8Bs
• FP7: A freight-passenger version of the F-unit, these were bought for both passenger and freight service.
  • Number of units: 44
• F2A: Built in 1946, these freight units were some of the ACL’s earliest mainline road freight diesels.
  • Number of units: 12
• F3A/F3B: Delivered in the mid-to-late 1940s, these were key to the ACL’s dieselization of its freight operations.
  • Number of units: 24 F3As and 24 F3Bs
• FTA/FTB: The ACL was an early adopter of EMD’s FT freight locomotive in the mid-1940s.
  • Number of units: 24 FTAs and 24 FTBs
• GP7: The “Geep” was a versatile road switcher that became a workhorse for the ACL.
  • Number of units: 185
• GP9: An updated and more powerful version of the GP7, these were a mainstay on the ACL roster.
  • Number of units: 157
• GP16: Rebuilt from various older EMD units, the ACL performed these overhauls in its own shops.
  • Number of units: 122
• SW1: A light-duty switcher used for yard and local work.
  • Number of units: 15
• SW7: A medium-duty switcher.
  • Number of units: 26
• SW8: These switchers were part of the ACL’s comprehensive dieselization plan in the 1950s.
  • Number of units: 15
• SW9: A versatile switcher similar to the SW7.
  • Number of units: 6
• SW1200: These were delivered in the late 1950s.
  • Number of units: 20 

Photo: ACL E6A, personal collection.

American Locomotive Company (ALCO)

• HH1000: One of the earliest diesel locomotives on the ACL, this switcher was delivered before World War II.
  • Number of units: 1
• S2: These versatile switchers were acquired by the ACL in the 1940s.
  • Number of units: 22
• RSC-3: This road switcher was designed with a C-truck for better weight distribution on lighter-weight track.
  • Number of units: 22
• RS3: A popular and versatile road switcher that was purchased by many railroads, including the ACL.
  • Number of units: 11

Baldwin Locomotive Works

• VO-1000: The ACL acquired some of these switchers, but later re-engined many with EMD power plants.
  • Number of units: 30 (originally)

Fairbanks-Morse

• H-12-44: This popular switcher model was acquired by the ACL in the 1950s.
  • Number of units: 10
• H-16-44: Road switchers built by FM that saw service on the ACL.
  • Number of units: 4
• H-24-66 (Train Master): The ACL purchased these powerful units, but they were ultimately unsuccessful due to mechanical issues.
  • Number of units: 6 

General Electric

• 44-tonner: This small industrial switcher saw service on various railroads, including the ACL, for light-duty tasks.
  • Number of units: 21 

Roster notes

• Merger: In 1967, the Atlantic Coast Line merged with the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) to form the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL). Most of the ACL’s diesel roster was renumbered into the SCL’s system.
• Rebuilds: The ACL was known for its in-house rebuilding programs, most notably the GP16 program, which transformed older EMD locomotives into updated, reliable motive power.
• Legacy: Many of these locomotives continued to serve under subsequent corporate banners, including the SCL, Seaboard System, and ultimately, CSX Transportation

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