Locomotives of the Norfolk Southern Railway – NS

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Diesel Locomotive Roster of the Norfolk Southern (NS)

Below is a diesel locomotive roster for Norfolk Southern (NS), organized by manufacturer and then by model. This roster includes the number of units that NS owned/owns for each model. For further details, there are numerous websites, books, and archived reference materials that include more information on each locomotive.

The NS diesel roster has experienced decades of mergers, acquisitions, sales, rebuilds, and retirements since its 1982 formation by the consolidation of the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) and Southern Railway (SOU). NS also absorbed a portion of Conrail’s (CR) assets in 1999. 

The roster highlights key locomotive models that have been or are part of the NS fleet. The number of locomotives for a specific model reflects the total units that have passed through the NS roster over time, rather than the current active quantity. Exact current numbers are constantly in flux due to fleet changes.

Electro-Motive Division (EMD)

  • NW2: ~15 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR) Older, early-model switchers used for yard service. Most were retired by NS.
  • MP15DC: 36 locomotives. (Inherited from SR and purchased by NS) A versatile, modern switcher that served NS for many years.
  • GP7/GP9: ~250 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR) A large portion of the inherited road switcher fleet, many of which were retired early in the NS era.
  • GP18: ~14 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR) A medium-horsepower road switcher, retired by NS.
  • GP30: ~18 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR) Mid-powered road switchers, all retired by NS.
  • GP38AC/GP38-2: >400 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR, purchased new by NS, and inherited from CR) A large and reliable fleet of road switchers. Many GP38-2s remain active in local and yard service.
  • GP39E/GP39M: ~20 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) GP35 and GP38 units that were rebuilt into GP39 models, now mostly retired.
  • GP40: ~100 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and CR) A mix of older units that have mostly been retired or rebuilt.
  • GP50: 46 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) Many of these units were later rebuilt into GP38-3s or GP33ECOs.
  • GP59: 36 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) A successful, yet small, fleet of high-powered four-axle units, many of which have been rebuilt into GP59ECOs or SD60Es.
  • SD35: ~35 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR) Older six-axle units, retired early in the NS era.
  • SD40/SD40-2: >250 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W, SR, and CR) A huge fleet of reliable 3,000-horsepower units that were once the backbone of the NS heavy haulage fleet. Many have been retired, sold, or rebuilt.
  • SD40E: >80 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) SD50 and SD50S units rebuilt into SD40-equivalent units.
  • SD45/SD45-2: ~200 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and SR, and inherited from CR) Older, high-horsepower six-axle units. All SD45s have been retired, but some SD45-2s from CR were inherited and later sold.
  • SD50: ~170 locomotives. (Inherited from N&W and CR) A fleet of 3,500-horsepower units that were later rebuilt into SD40Es due to reliability issues. Includes six SD50S “short frame” prototypes.
  • SD60/SD60I/SD60M: ~250 locomotives. (Purchased new by NS and inherited from CR) A large fleet of 3,800-horsepower units, many of which have been rebuilt into SD60Es.
  • SD60E: ~135 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) Rebuilt SD60s with a modern “Cresent” cab designed by NS.
  • SD70: 26 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) Early SD70s purchased new.
  • SD70M: 52 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) A fleet of SD70s with a “flared” radiator.
  • SD70ACe: 127 locomotives. (Purchased new by NS and inherited from CR) A fleet of AC traction units, with the NS heritage units being the most notable of this group.
  • SD70ACC: 52 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) SD70M units rebuilt with new cabs and updated electronics. 

General Electric (GE)

  • B30-7/C30-7: >150 locomotives. (Inherited from SR and N&W) Older Dash 7 units, all retired.
  • B36-7/C36-7: ~50 locomotives. (Inherited from SR and N&W) Higher-horsepower Dash 7 units, all retired.
  • C39-8: 101 locomotives. (Purchased new by NS and inherited from CR) A mixed fleet of early Dash 8s that were unpopular due to reliability issues. All retired.
  • C40-8/C40-8W: >100 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) Standard and wide-cab Dash 8 units that were later retired or rebuilt.
  • C40-9/C40-9W: ~1,100 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) Once the most numerous class of modern power on NS, these were purchased with a 4,000-horsepower rating and later uprated to 4,400 horsepower. Many have been rebuilt into AC44C6Ms.
  • C44-9W: >300 locomotives. (Inherited from CR, purchased by NS) Wide-cab Dash 9 units inherited from CR and purchased new. Many were rebuilt into AC44C6Ms.
  • AC44C6M: >900 locomotives (and growing). (Rebuilt by NS from C40-9/C40-9W/C44-9W units) NS’s highly successful rebuild program converts DC traction units into AC traction units with a new cab.
  • AC44C6CF: 25 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) Conrail-style AC4400CWs rebuilt with a Norfolk Southern cab.
  • ES40DC: 224 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) An early member of the “Evolution Series,” these are 4,000-horsepower DC traction units.
  • ES44AC: 185 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) A major part of the modern, high-horsepower fleet, known for its AC traction.
  • ET44AH: 80 locomotives. (Purchased by NS) Tier 4 compliant units. 

American Locomotive Company (ALCO)

  • Various models (e.g., C630, RS-3, RSD-5): Remnants of older predecessor fleets (e.g., N&W and SR), retired long ago by NS. 

Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW)

  • Various models (e.g., AS-416): Remnants of older predecessor fleets, retired long ago by NS.

Other

  • GP33ECO: 25 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) GP50 units rebuilt with a 12-cylinder prime mover and a new cab to meet Tier 3 emissions standards.
  • GP59ECO: 9 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) GP59s rebuilt with a 12-cylinder prime mover to meet Tier 3 emissions standards.
  • Road Slugs: ~20 locomotives. (Rebuilt by NS) Former EMD units rebuilt into booster units for yard and local service. 

Southern-Railroads.org Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the Southern Railway and its predecessors. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Southern-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org