The Railroad Museum of New England has taken great strides over the years to acquire, preserve, restore, and operate trains and railcars with origins in the New England area. Seen below are some of the many pieces that we have obtained over the years. Please note that not all items are on public display.
Diesel Locomotives:
The modern diesel locomotive was introduced into American railroading in the late 1920s and slowly gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. After WW2, they ended up replacing steam locomotives on the majority of US railroads, with the last of the major railroad companies finally completing the switch over to diesel in the early 1960s. Diesel locomotives are actually more correctly known as diesel-electric locomotives. This is due to the use of a diesel engine to turn a generator, which in turn, turns electric motors around the axles. The RMNE has a large fleet of these diesel-electric locomotives, with several in operation, and many more awaiting repairs to return to operation.
Naugatuck RR 2203
General Electric (GE) U23B
Status: Active, in regular service
New Haven 2019
Electro-Motive Division (EMD) FL-9
Status: Active, in regular service
TBRX 8537
General Electric B37-8E
Status: Active, regular service, leased
New Haven Budd 41
Budd Company
Status: Active, leased
New Haven 529
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) RS-3
Status: Stored, awaiting restoration work
Boston & Maine 1732
Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP-9
Status: Stored, awaiting restoration
New Haven 2525
General Electric (GE) U25B
Status: Stored, awaiting engine work
New Haven 0401
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) FA-1
Status: Stored, awaiting restoration and new trucks
Maine Central 557
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) RS-3
Status: Stored
Boston & Maine 1508
American Locomotive Company (ALCO) RS-3
Status: Stored, awaiting restoration
Boston & Maine 1109
Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SW-1
Status: Display
New Haven 2059
Electro-Motive Division (EMD) FL-9
Status: Stored
RMNE 25
General Electric (GE) 25 Ton Switcher
Status: Stored, awaiting batteries
Steam Locomotives:
When one thinks of the history of American railroading, one most often thinks of the great, powerful steam locomotive. The iron horse that built America, and expanded the possibilities of travel and trade forever.
Originally brought to America in the 1920’s and 1930’s from England, the first steam locomotives were smaller and burned wood. After the civil war, as industry in America grew, steam locomotives were designed to burn coal, a much easier and more practical fuel than wood. The size and power of the locomotives also increased, from the common 4-4-0 American Class, to the massive 4-8-4 Northern Class and 4-6-2 Pacific Class, among others. The 1930’s and 1940’s marked the height of steam locomotive operations in America. With the introduction and growing popularity of the diesel locomotive, which was much less labor intensive in operation and maintenance, the days of steam were numbered. By the late 1950s, the majority of mainline steam locomotives had been sidelined in favor of diesels, and by the early 1960s, the last of the great iron horses had been retired.
The RMNE has two steam locomotives in its’ collection, a 2-6-2 Prairie Class, and a 4-6-2 Pacific Class.
Canadian Pacific 1246
Montreal Locomotive Works Class G5 Pacific 4-6-2
Status: Stored, in need of full restoration
Sumter & Choctaw 103
Baldwin 2-6-2
Status: Stored
Passenger Cars:
Canadian National Heavyweights
Built for Canadian National Railway between 1919-1923.
In Service: 4980, 4992, 5046, 5114
Restoration: 5805, restoration into 1st class car
Out of Service/Stored: 6606
Rutland 260
Built in 1891 for the Rutland Railroad
Status: In Service
New Haven
Built for the New Haven Railroad
Display: Breslin Tower
Stored: 603 (Forest Hills), 610 (Philinda), 5108 (Stag Hound), 6845 (Westport)
New York, New Haven, & Hartford 2789 (New Haven W221)
Built by Bethlehem Steel in 1929 as a Baggage-Railway Post Office car
Status: Stored
Maine Central 411
Built by Laconia Car Company in 1914 as a Baggage-Express
Statues: Stored
Cabooses:
Central Vermont 4014
Built in February 1925
Status: In Service
Naugatuck RR 507
Built in October 1929 as New Haven 507
Status: In Service
Boston & Maine C-72
Built in 1921 by the Laconia car company
Status: Display
Pittsburg & Shawmut 193 (Ex. New Haven C-561)
Built by Pullman-Standard in 1942 for New Haven as a class NE-5
Status: Stored
Freight Cars
Boston & Maine 77843
Status: Restored, on display
Boston & Maine 72480
Status: Display
Union Tank Car Co. (UTLX) 69369
Status: Display
Boston & Maine 1920 (Milk Car)
Status: Display
Maine Central (MEC) 17080 Gondola
Status: Display
New York, New Haven, & Hartford 7447
Built 1895-1905
Status: Display
Maintenance of Way (MOW)
Portland Terminal Crane 198
Status: Display, occasional service
Maine Central 70 (Naug. X-105)
Built by Russell Snow Plow Company of Ridgeway, PA
Status: Display, occassional service
Naugatuck W-133 Side Dump Car
Built in 1951
Status: In Service
