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loco Locomotives...
    When people think about trains, they think about locomotives first.  The power behind any train lies at the front with these huge mechanical beasts.  The Chessie System rostered a wide variety of locomotives from Alco, General Motors EMD Division and General Electric.  The locomotives come in three general arrangements, the six axle heavy duty locomotive for heavy slow loads, the four axle general purpose locomotive for just about any job, and the switcher, used to push cars around yards and handle very small local deliveries.
   
    At the start of the Chessie era in 1972, all three roads were busy modernizing their fleets.  Blue paint jobs with large "B&O" or "C&O" letters on the side were the norm.  Western Maryland used the red white and black "circus" scheme, though their old black "speed lettering" scheme was also going strong.  Many model types would not last through the first two or three years of the Chessie System.  Also in 1972, the Chessie System started buying what is considered their hallmark model, the General Motors GP40-2.  Chessie rostered on average about 2,100 locomotives (~1,000 B&O, ~1,000 C&O and ~100 WM), and ~350 were GP40-2s. 
   
    Chessie had all new locomotives, like the GP40-2 delivered in Chessie paint.  They also had a robust repainting program as locomotives went in for major maintenance.  By the end of the Chessie Era ~75% of all locomotives wore Chessie paint.

    All of the information here is put into a table based on the paint scheme of the locomotive.  The Chessie System paint scheme came in three main and one minor type (listed below).  The predecessor railroads, Baltimore & Ohio (B&O), Chesepeake & Ohio (C&O), and Western Maryland (WM) each had their own paint jobs that lasted well into the Chessie Era.  By the end of the Chessie Era in 1986, ~25% of locomotives were still in these predecessor paint schemes.  Note as well that the WM locomotives came in two very distinct schemes.  The Red, White, and Black scheme will be referred to at the "Circus" scheme, and the Black and Gold scheme will be referred to as the "Speed Lettering" scheme for its distinct lettering.  There are no CSX locomotives modeled here. 

    With the exception of the SD50s and a few C&O locomotives, Chessie locomotives can easily be identified by their black numberboards with white numbers.  CSX locomotives had white numberboards with black numbers.  All locomotives are modeled as seen in the Chessie Era.

    Below are small illustrations to show the major paint jobs available for the Chessie System.
    There were three major versions of the Chessie System paint scheme (Chessie B&O on the left, Chessie C&O in the middle, and Chessie WM on the right).

    There were two all blue predecessor paint jobs (B&O on the left, C&O on the right).  The C&O had several variations on the all blue scheme.

    There were two main versions of the WM predecessor paint job.  The "Circus" paint job is on the left, the "Speed Lettering" paint job on the right.

    Additionally there were several other paint jobs that were applied to just a few units.  These minor paint jobs are explained here.

WM blue
    In 1976 the WM received 25 GP9 units from the C&O railroad as compensation for the Chessie System retiring so many older WM units.  These GPs came over to the WM in both Chessie and C&O blue paint schemes.  The Chessie ones simply had the "C&O" on the cab overpainted with "WM" letters.  The remaining C&O blue painted units were hastily repainted into a variety of unique WM blue paint jobs.

GM50
    This is a one of a kind gold paint job was the Chessie System's locomotive celebrating the 50th anniversary of General Motors.

TORCO
    There were three Chessie System locomotives that were based at a C&O subsidiary the Toledo Ore Company Railway (TORCO) (#7800-7802).  These engines were based in Toledo but did come to Cumberland for maintenance.  They were the only Chessie System locomotives that carried sub-letters other than B&O, C&O, or WM.

    Click on the engine number below to see a digital pics of these model locomotives (with real locomotive pics for comparison).  The type of locomotive is listed below the road number.

    NOTE: Some of my models do not have cab sunshades on them, in these photos.  Since I stored the engines as soon as they were finished, attaching the cab sunshades would have prohibited me from fitting them back in the boxes they came in.  The sunshades will be attached as they are brought out of the box and put on the layout.
cs-b&o cs-c&o cs-wm b&o c&o wm circus wm speed wm blue other
1830
SD7		 1520 
GP15T		 36 
GP9		 3556 
GP35		 2324 
U23B		 3798
GP40 
shell
5961 
GP9		 GM50
GP40-2
1832
SD9		 3022 
GP30		 4366
GP40-2
 4813 
GP38		 3002 
GP30


7800 (TORCO)
SD35
3690 
GP40		 3301 
U30C
6655
GP9
 3042 
GP30


8501 (Parts mover)
F7B
4148
GP40-2
 4168
GP40-2
6930 
GP30		 3566 
GP35


18742 (C&O, CS and CSX)
Battery Powered Loco
4164
GP40-2		 5760
GP7
6974 
GP30		 5778
GP7


1977
GP40-2 (150th Anniversary B&O)
3746
GP40
 8217
U30B

5794
GP7



1976
GP40-2 (Whimsical Bicentennial)
3752 
GP40		 8250
B30-7





1776
GP40-2 (Whimsical Bicentennial)
4107
GP40-2







4334
GP40-2







4804
GP38







6439
GP9







6902
GP30







7416 
SD35







7615
SD40-2







7619 
SD40-2 







9010
S4








Below is a list of information on each type of locomotive and model kit available.  

Chessie Locomotive Models by Jeff Hanke









NOTE:  All numbers post-1976 renumbering





































PROTOTYPE

MODELING
MFG TYPE ROAD(S) 1st SERIES 2nd SERIES 3rd SERIES 4th SERIES 5th SERIES 6th SERIES 7th SERIES 8th SERIES 9th SERIES 10th SERIES 11th SERIES 12th SERIES PAINT SCHEMES TOTAL UNITS (1981 ROSTER) NOTES KIT BUILDER MY MODEL(S) OF THIS CLASS NOTES AND TIPS
EMD GP7 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 5600-5631 WM 5632-5635 C&O 5700-5900                   Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 162 Some units have no dynamic brakes Atlas, Athearn Genesis, Athearn RTR, Life-Like Proto 2000 C&O 5778, C&O 5794 Atlas comes decorated for Chessie.  Not sure if Life-Like does.
EMD GP9 B&O, C&O, WM B&O (Not all units) 5902-6251 C&O (Not all units) 5901-6262 WM 5933, 5940-5941, 5944, 5951-5953, 5955-5956 WM 5959, 5961, 5963, 5968, 5971-5973, 5976 WM 5979, 5982, 5984, 5986, 5989, 5993-5995 WM 6400-6420 B&O 6425-6683           Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 500 Most numerous Chessie locomotive Front Range, Athearn Genesis, Athearn RTR, Life-Like Proto 2000 WM 36, WM 5961 Athearn Genesis comes decorated for Chessie.  Not sure on the others.
EMD GP15T C&O C&O 1500-1524                       Chessie 25 Only "T" locomotives Walthers, Athearn Genesis, Athearn RTR C&O 1520 Kits come decorated for Chessie
EMD GP18 B&O B&O 6599                       B&O Blue 1 Only one unit Life-Like Proto 2000 No kit purchased Kit comes decorated for B&O 6599
EMD GP30 B&O, C&O B&O 6900-6976 C&O 3000-3046                     Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue 111 No WM units Life-Like Proto 2000, Bachmann B&O 6930, B&O 6974, C&O 3002, C&O 3022, C&O 3042 Kit comes decorated for Chessie
EMD GP35 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 3500-3519 C&O 3520-3539 B&O 3540-3559 C&O 3560-3575 WM 3576-3580 B&O 3581 C&O 3581-3584           Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 85   Kato 2 kits purchased Not sure if they come painted for Chessie.
EMD GP38 B&O, C&O B&O 3800-3849 C&O 3850-3899 B&O 4800-4819 C&O 4820-4829                 Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue 130 No WM units Atlas B&O 4813 Kit comes decorated for Chessie, B&O Blue and C&O Blue 
EMD GP39 C&O C&O 3900-3919                       Chessie, C&O Blue 20 Only C&O units None No kit purchased  
EMD GP40 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 3684-3779 C&O 3780-3794 WM 3795-3799 B&O 4000-4064 C&O 4065-4099               Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM R/W/B 215   Atlas B&O 3690 Kit comes decorated for Chessie and B&O Blue
EMD GP40-2 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 1977 and GM50 B&O 4100-4164 C&O 4165-4184 B&O 4185-4256 WM 4257-4261 C&O 4262-4286 B&O 4287-4311 WM 4312-4321 B&O 4322-4351 WM 4352-4371 C&O 4372-4421 B&O 4422-4447 Chessie 346 The Chessie Locomotive.  B&O 3802 was "All-American Locomotive".  B&O 4444 pulled Presidential Train.  B&O 4447 named "Arch McElvaney" Atlas, Athearn Genesis, Athearn RTR, Athearn Blue Box B&O GM50 Kits come decorated for Chessie
EMD SD7 B&O B&O 1826-1830                       Chessie, B&O Blue 5 Only B&O units Life-Like Proto 2000 1 kit purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie and B&O Blue
EMD SD9 B&O B&O 1831-1840                       Chessie, B&O Blue 10 Only B&O units Life-Like Proto 2000 1 kit purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie.  B&O Blue scheme offered is too early for Chessie Era.
EMD SD18 C&O C&O 7300-7318                       Chessie, C&O Blue 19 Only C&O units Life-Like Proto 2000 No kit purchased Not available in plastic.  Is available in brass.
Homebuilt SD20-2 B&O B&O 7700-7704                       Chessie 5 B&O modified SD35s to SD20-2 configuration Atlas No kit purchased Start with an Atlas Chessie SD35 and modify from there.
EMD SD35 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 7400-7419 C&O 7420-7431 WM 7432-7436 B&O 7437-7440 TORCO 7800-7802               Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 32   Atlas 2 kits purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed and WM R/W/B
EMD SD40 B&O, C&O, WM B&O 7500 C&O 7501-7536 WM 7545-7549 C&O 7550-7569 WM 7570-7574 C&O 7575-7581 B&O 7591-7594 WM 7595-7596 B&O 7597-7599       Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 83   Athearn RTR, Kato No kit purchased Kits come decorated for Chessie
EMD SD40-2 B&O B&O 7600-7619                       Chessie 20 Only B&O units Athearn RTR, Athearn Blue Box B&O 7619 Kits come decorated for Chessie
EMD SD50 B&O, C&O C&O 8553-8575 B&O 8576-8595 C&O 8624-8643                   Chessie 0 (added after '81) Bought by CSX for Chessie.  White numberboards with black numbers.   Athearn RTR No kit purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie
EMD F-Unit B&O, C&O, WM B&O F7A 4472, 4487, 4502-4503, 4517, 4535, 4539, 4542 B&O F7A 4547, 4548, 4550, 4553, 4563, 4566, 4567 B&O F7A 4569, 4580, 4517, 4535, 4539, 4542, 4547, 4548 B&O F7A 4587, 4591, 4595, 4596, 4597-4599 B&O F7A 4606-4609, 4614, 4622, 4646, 4648 B&O F7B 5420, 5424, 5429, 5447 B&O F7B 5448, 5467, 5470, 5484 B&O F7B 5486, 5493, 5495, 5498 B&O F7B 5504, 5515, 5529, 5532 WM F3A 5145-5146 WM F7B 7135-7148 WM F7A 7149-7176 B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed, WM R/W/B 0 (retired before '81) C&O units not listed here Stewart (Bowser) 1 kit purchased Many models available in many proper paint schemes.
EMD BL2 WM 7171-7172                       WM Speed 2 Worked almost exclusively at Hagerstown, MD Life-Like Proto 2000 No kit purchased Kit comes decorated for WM Speed
GE U23B C&O 2300-2329                       Chessie, C&O Blue 30 Only C&O units Atlas C&O 2324 Kit comes decorated for Chessie and C&O Blue
GE U25B C&O 8100-8137                       Chessie, C&O Blue 0 (retired before '81) Only C&O units Stewart (Bowser) No kit purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie and C&O Blue
GE U30B C&O 8200-8234                       Chessie, C&O Blue 35 Only C&O units Athearn 1 kit purchased Kit comes decorated for Chessie and C&O Blue
GE U30C C&O 3300-3312                       Chessie, C&O Blue 13 Only C&O units Athearn, Atlas C&O 3301 Neither offered in Chessie paint
GE B30-7 C&O 8235-8298                       Chessie 64 Only C&O units Atlas 1 kit purchased Atlas kit is perfect and comes decorated for Chessie.
EMD, Alco Switchers B&O, C&O, WM WM S6 151-152 WM RS2 180-184   WM RS3 185-198 B&O & C&O NW2 (Too many to list) B&O SW1 8403-8418 & 8421.  C&O SW1 8401 and 8419 B&O SW7 5215.  C&O SW7 5216-5239 B&O SW9 5081, 5083, 5089, 5256, 9600-9613 C&O SW9 5082, 5084-5088, 5090-5093, 5240-5255, 5257-5265 B&O S4 9007-9010 B&O SW900 9400-9428 B&O SW1200 9614-9621 B&O TR3 9552-9557 B&O TR4 9622-9625 Chessie, B&O Blue, C&O Blue, WM Speed 191 A wide variety of types, paint schemes and road numbers. Atlas, Broadway Limited 1 kit purchased New Broadway Limited NW2 is exceptional.  Atlas S4 is also good.  Atlas makes RS2 and RS3, but not decorated in WM Speed scheme.
GE "Dinky" C&O 18742                       Chessie, C&O Blue 1 Only one C&O unit.  Electric battery locomotive.  Huntington Shop Switcher. Scratchbuilt C&O 18742 Scratchbuilding now.
Homebuilt Slugs B&O, C&O, WM B&O 138T-139T C&O 140T-150T WM 138T-139T                   Chessie, WM Speed 12 All home built.  C&O ones made at the end of Chessie Era. Scratchbuilt No kit purchased Starting with a dummy GP9 is planned.  

 

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