The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced the acquisition of two former Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesel locomotives, Nos. 5702A and 5761A, from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. William Shapotkin
NEW HAVEN, Ind. — The Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Steam Locomotive Trust announced the acquisition of two former Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesel locomotives from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.
Built in September and November 1952, respectively, Nos. 5702A and 5761A faced an uncertain future as the assets of the former Iowa Pacific Holdings were dispersed across the country following the company’s collapse. Members of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society stepped forward in 2021 to acquire and safeguard the locomotives.
“Over the past five years, several long-term preservation opportunities were evaluated as the organization stewarded over $40,000 in storage costs sponsored by a private donor,” the press release said. The same donor financed the sale of the locomotives to the T1 Trust.
Founded to construct the world’s first new mainline steam locomotive since the end of the steam era, the trust is currently building Pennsylvania Railroad T1 No. 5550, a new-build replica of the railroad’s streamlined duplex passenger locomotive. With the locomotive’s boiler, frame, and running gear now complete or under assembly and the project exceeding 70% completion, the acquisition represents several firsts for the T1 Trust, most notably its first motive power purchase and the first diesel locomotives in its fleet.
Brad Noble, president of the trust, said the group is honored that the Fort Wayne Railroad entrusted it with the historic locomotives. “The Pennsylvania Railroad was a technological leader whose influence extended from steam locomotives to diesel passenger power and beyond,” Noble said. “While our primary mission remains the completion of T1 No. 5550, this acquisition helps us preserve and interpret a broader spectrum of Pennsylvania Railroad innovation for future generations.”
“There is a wonderful irony in this acquisition,” said Kelly Lynch, executive director of the Fort Wayne Railroad. “These E8s were among the most advanced passenger diesels of their era and helped usher in the end of steam on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Yet when T1 No. 5550 is completed, it will actually be newer than the E units themselves. Both represent different chapters of the same story: the Pennsylvania Railroad’s pursuit of innovation in the golden era of railroading.”
The Pennsylvania Railroad purchased 75 EMD E8A locomotives, making them the largest fleet of the 2,250-horsepower passenger engine. The 5702A and 5761A went on to work for the Penn Central, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Green Mountain Railroad, and Central New York Chapter NRHS before becoming part of the Iowa Pacific fleet.
The locomotives are en route to Cumberland, Md., for evaluation, mechanical work, and paint.
“Preservation is often about timing,” Lynch added. “Sometimes the most important thing an organization can do is ensure that an artifact survives long enough to find the right home and the right time to part ways. We believe these locomotives have found that home with the T1 Trust, and we look forward to seeing how they contribute to telling the Pennsylvania Railroad story for decades to come.”
— To report news or errors, contact trainsnewswire@firecrown.com.
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