I spotted this shot of NS SW-1 dated November 19th. I was surprised to see they still had such an old girl in service. I was wondering if this was the oldest locomotive in service on the NS? What the small k next to the number meant. And what does the A & E C under the number mean.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 36&nseq=67

Also how many other SW-1s are in service on class I railroads? I think Amtrak still has at least one.

The "K" was a "check digit" used in a program to keep track of locomotive maintenance. The locomotive is NOT owned by NS - believe it belongs to Pete Claussen's Gulf & Ohio group.

The "A&EC" stands for "Atlantic & East Carolina", the NS line to Morehead City, NC.

Yes, Amtrak still uses their #737 (NY Central 703) I saw it at Wilmington on Oct. 4th on my way to the Union Station 100th.

Okay thanks for the info. I was thinking maybe the Southern unit was pampered NS shop switcher like Amtrak's 737. I know this has been brought up from time to time but I'm pretty sure that makes the 737 about the oldest in service on a Class I (yes I know 2816 is older).

The oldest locomotive in service on a class 1 railroad is UP 844, but as in Diesel I would say it would be the Amtrak SW-1 No. 737, I don't know of any others right off hand.

Len.

Amtrak 737 was built in 1942 as New York Central 703, so she actually predates UP 844 (built 1944) and UP 3985 (built 1943). However, Canadian Pacific's 2816 was built in 1930, so if you're going to count steamers in PR/excursion service, that's the one to beat for the record of the oldest locomotive in service for a class 1. For diesels in regular service, Amtrak 737 may very well be it, unless somebody else has another SW-1 or a set of FT's floating around out there!

Question, what is Reading & Northern rated at? Wich class? I'm thinking of the Lehigh Division, Partley owned by NS/R&N.
With them having Ex. GM&N 425 Baldwin Locomotive Works 1928.

Len.

I didn't check birthdays but I figured that 737 was older than the Up steamers leaving the CP 2816 as the only Class I locomotive that would be older.

http://jreb.org/ns/index.php?topic=85.0

There is some interesting discussion about Norfolk Southern's SW1s at the above link (including photos of 1007).

Since this is strictly for our amusement we can set any rules we want. With that in mind I would like to add that to be the oldest it needs to have been in continuous service. Since CP 2816 spent 30 or so years dead I don't think oldest would count.

[url]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Class_I_railroad[/url] The information at this link basically matches the information in my AAR books word for word.

Bluntly put, the R&N is nowhere NEAR "Class I" status. Ditto the Delaware-Lackawanna and its ex-DL&W 1937-built EMD SC (rebuilt).