Top 10 Extinct American Diesel Locomotives

What a better way to celebrate 1,000 Subscribers then making a Top 10 Video! Since there are almost endless videos about extinct steam locomotives, I decided to respect the diesel locomotive fans who are longing for the same recognition. I chose this topic in particular since my first official narrated video was a Top 15 list for EMD DE/DM30ACs, and the channel has grown tremendously since then. I would like to thank you for all of your support over the past year and a half as this video is made in dedication of this milestone.

Credit for all photos used go to their original photographers.
Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the copyright act 1976: allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Sources:

Music used in order:
Greaser - TrackTribe
Salute to Washington - United States Marine Band
With Shot and Shell - United States Marine Band
Paradox - Quincas Moreira
Middle Age Blues - Mini Vandals
Members Only - TrackTribe
Feelin Good - Kevin MacLeod
That One Bar Scene - RKVC
Center Ring - Freedom Trail Studio
Olde Salooner Blues - Midnight North
London Bayou - ALBIS
Dinner for One - Silent Partner

[devinhamb]

This is probably the first and only list I've seen so far on extinct Diesel locomotives, and it included several diesels I haven't heard about. It's great for me to see a railroad youtuber giving Diesels some more love and respect. Because whenever it comes to locomotives fictional or realistic, Diesels pretty much always get trashed on compared to Steam and Electric locomotives. Great job man on giving Diesels a chance to shine.

[MogamiK]

Even though I like steam more than diesel and electric, We need to start giving classic diesels from the 1940s-1960s some praise

[keystonedriving]

Number boards on F3, F5 and F7 locomotives were down to railroad choice, PRR specified the smaller version until it changed to the larger version for its later F7s. NYC had large boards on all of its F units. Therefore you can't tell an F2 from an F3 by the number boards.

The F2 was produced specifically to work with existing FT locomotives, so had the older machinery in the newer car body. It meant that the train crews and shop forces had only one kind of equipment to deal with.

[RANDOM]

If you want to see some first gen diesels in action go to the Ontario Southland Railway in Salford, Ontario. Their newest locomotives were a set of ex-BCOL M-420Ws built in 1973, but those were sold off leaving a 1968 RS-18 as their next newest. Their oldest is an EMD NW2 built in 1947. Plus they have 3 FP9ARMs which are just gorgeous.

[daveunderwood]

Steam locomotives are marvels to see, but they were before my time. It's the early diesel engines that I so fondly remember. Kudos for this interesting video.

[BNSFandSP]

The F3 prototype was built in 1945, but problems with the generator delayed it's production, so the F2 was produced as a stop gap utilizing the generator from the FT.

[ManOfUnknownWorth]

As someone with experience with visual design, it makes sense that steam locomotives are far more popular. While diesel-electrics outperform steam loks in almost every way, they lack that distinctive silhouette of the latter. Diesel-electrics (and diesel-hydraulics) often have very boxy designs that make them look very similar to each other and seem like "soulless boxes." Of course, some diesels, such as the British Railways Class 04, have silhouettes closer to steam loks and thus may seem more visually appealing--but they are one of the exceptions. The importance of silhouettes in visual design is likely a big reason why many countries still use the image of a steam locomotive for railroad-crossing signs.

It's worth noting that the Japanese actually have a deep appreciation for non-steam locomotives (although it's mostly for electrics.)

[johntapp]

Partial as I am to the early diesel locomotives, I am so glad they finally get their say. It’s about time!!

[oktodd]

Yeah!! My hometown fallen flag was the first featured! The Atlantic & East Carolina was based in New Bern, NC. It was also known as The Tobacco Belt Route, and The Mullet Line. Thanks.

[superbaddy]

About time I finally see an Extinct Diesels Video. And i'm glad to see the E2 on here.

[danielkennedy]

Totally agree on the centipede! great video!

[jacksonmarshallkramer]

Those old 50s era trains like the one on the opening for the original Superman tv show look so cool.

[thhseeking]

If you like Baldwins, check out the Belgian HLD51 & 59. They have 10-698 engines built under licence by Cockerill in Belgium, and a few of each are preserved in running condition. Also, I believe that there are still a few ex-Dutch Railways locos running around with Superior engines.

[erikmcc]

I loved this piece, Amazing and again thank you and now I am a subscriber thank again :-)

[dennisb-trains]

Those diesels sure were sleek looking back then just like the cars of the day. Thanks for sharing.
New subscriber here! PRR

[BnuuyBoi]

It's about time that there be a diesel locomotive version

[RippysRails]

Thanks for a good video and research behind it! Great info for model train collecting!

[braysfinds]

I seems that a lot of EMD's earlier road switchers got wiped and don't get much love. Like the SD24 and SD26 for example, only two SD24's exist; one being in poor condition. And the last SD26 was scrapped in 2012. They have a really fun charm to them that I feel like nobody recognizes. Great video though!

[NN]

11:56
[Poster] i feel as if times just hadnt changed at all, seems like an ad you'd see today, altough *CLASSY*

[paulcrowshaw]

Nice vid. I especially liked the segment on the ALCO DL-109 The New Haven used theirs in both passenger and freight service, passenger by day and freight at night during the war. Therefore they ran the wheels off them. I haven't heard about reliability issues with them though. NH also had a fleet of switchers with that same 539 engine both turbo and N.A. Thanks again !