Short-Line GP30s

Outside of EMD's FT freighter of 1939, the GP30 has probably spawned more articles and coverage in the hobby press than any other locomotive builders's model. The 30's distinctive styling and unmistakable chant of a V16-567 power-plant made the four-axle EMD freight hauler a fan favorite soon after its introduction during July 1961.

In terms of numbers, production of the four-axle EMD model stopped at 948 locomotives; two of which were built by General Motors Diesel Division, the Canadian subsidiary. Although buyers of the 2250-hp locomotive were predominantly Class 1, one went to short-line operator Toledo Peoria & Western (#700) and nine to industry's Phelps-Dodge (#24-32).

The decades-long popularity of the 2250-horsepower EMD can be found in the hundreds, perhaps thousands of railfan photographs that depict GP30s at work on mainlines across the United States, and to a much lesser degree in neighboring Canada, Although mostly relegated to serve on the rails of today's American short-lines, the GP30 has lost little of its luster or favor. The following photographs are presented as evidence.

Aiken Railroad
AIKN at Aiken, South Carolina on 16 April 2007. (Travis Mackey)
Arizona Central Railroad
AZCR at Salome, Arizona on 15 April 1998. (Jack Kuiphoff)
Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad
AOK #2443 at McAlester, Oklahoma on 24 July 2014 (Doug Kroll photo)
Boise Valley Railroad
BV #3525 at Nampa, Idaho on 16 September 2011 (Doug Kroll photo)
Branson Scenic Railway
BSR #99 at Branson, Missouri on 11 September 2025 (Jeff Terry photo)
Cimarron Valley Railroad
CVRR GP30s at Satanta, Kansas on 1 March 2000 (Mike Danneman photo)
Conrad Yelvington Railroad
CDYY #2105 at Sanford, Florida on 14 March 2009 (Doug Kroll photo)
Coos Bay Rail
CBRL #2439 at Eugene, Oregon 1 February 2018 (Tom Trent photo)
Great Miami Railroad
GMRY #902 at Lebanon, Ohio on 21 December 2020 (Carlos Ferran photo)
Hartwell Railroad
HRT #3016 at Center, Georgia on 5 January 2010 (Niko Kavoori photo)
Indiana & Ohio Railway
IORY #83 at Eugene, Ohio in October 1993 (R. Craig photo)
Indiana Northeastern Railroad
INE #2230 at Angola, Indiana on 7 October 2019 (Matthew Ditton photo)
Iowa Railroad
IRR #3004 at Clevis, Iowa oo 5 April 2010 (Kevin Klitzke photo)
Larry's Truck & Electric Railroad
LTEX at Hillsdale, Michigan on 17 July 2001 (Ray Sabo photo)
Maumee & Western Railroad
MAW #2393 at Defiance, Ohio oo 12 September 1989 (R. Craig photo)
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad
NH&I at New Hope, Pennsylvania on 26 May 2014 (Darryl Rule photo)
Ogeechee Railroad
Ogeechee #4215 at Roberta, Canada on 3 March 1997 (Ian Platt photo)
Ohio Central Railroad
OHCR #4218 at Columbus, Ohio on 27 November 2013 (Powell Wye photo)
Paducah & Louisville Railroad
PAL #2259 at Paducah, Kentucky on 30 April 1992 (Ian Platt photo)
Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad
PCC #4204 at Cheney, Washington on 27 July 2001 (R. Craig photo)
The Prairie Railroad
TPLX #2007 at xxxxx Louis, MO on xxxxx 2020 (Mark Mautner photo)
Raritan Central Railroad
RC #5 at Edison, New Jersey on 20 June 2022 (Charles Freericks photo)
Reading & Northern Railroad
R&N #2530 at West Cressona, PA on 16 January 2020 (Bill Kalkman photo)
San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad
SPSW #2426 at Benson, Arizona on 29 March 2018 (Don Marson photo)
South Kansas Oklahoma Railroad
SKO #4114 at Coffeyville, Kansas on 2 March 1994 (Photographer unknown)
Southwestern Railroad
Southwestern #2468 at Tyrone Mine, NM on 8 August 2019 (Aaron Border photo)
Sprouce Creek Processing
Sprouce Creek #2598 at Lobata, WV on 11 January 2014 (RK Rail Photos)
Toledo Peoria & Western Railroad
TP&W #700 at Peoria, Illinois on 3 April 1971 (Richard Wallin photo)
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
WMS GP30s at Cumberland, MD on 13 November 2017 (John Regan photo)
Wisconsin Central Railroad
WC #713 at Schiller Park, Illinois on 20 September 1989 (R. Craig photo)

Reference Sources:
  • Facebook.com
  • Flickr.com
  • LocoPhotos.com
  • RailPicture.net
  • RRPicturesArchives.net
  • TrainOrders.com
  • New: 1 October 2023