1958 - N&W To Buy 268 New Diesel Units

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Roanoke Times - June 26, 1958

N&W To Buy 268 New Diesel Units

    The Norfolk and Western Railway announced yesterday it will buy 
268 new diesel locomotive units at an estimated cost of about $50,000,000.
    The announcement, made by Stuart T. Saunders, N&W president, sets 
late 1960 as the time for retirement of the last of the railway's 
steam engines.
    Recognized as the last major railroad in the nation using steam 
locomotives, the N&W made its own engines in Roanoke until 1953.
    Saunders said delivery of the new diesel units, similar to the 
198 now in use by the railway, probably will begin in October and 
continue at the rate of 12 to 15 a month.
    "Acquisition of these units," said the N&W president, "will 
enable us to dieselize completely our operations at present traffic levels."
    Saunders said 202 of the 262 steam locomotives now owned by the 
N&W will be retired between now and the end of 1960. The remaining 60 
will be used as standby power to meet demands for locomotives during 
peak levels of traffic and in emergencies.
    "This program will enable the railway to exhaust the serviceable 
mileage remaining in its fleet of steam locomotives."
    Although the N&W has not yet decided who will manufacture the 
locomotives, Saunders said this decision is expected to be made shortly.
    The company has decided, he said, that the new units will be 
general purpose road switchers, similar to those now owned, and 
switching units. Some of the diesels will be equipped for passenger service.
    Saunders said the action was taken after thorough study and in 
light of the company's favorable experience with diesel locomotives 
over the last several years.
    "The program is an expression of the great confidence which the 
Norfolk and Western has in the future of the territory it serves," he added.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link