A survey of several popular on-line locomotive photo databases was conducted recently to identify universities / colleges that were known to have had a campus railroad; the objective was to develop a potential diesel locomotive roster. The tally (although preliminary) was lower than initially anticipated; there had been an assumption that many higher-educational instituions across tNorth America had at-one-time relied on rail lines for delivery of coal to campus power plants. In reality, that theory mostly applied to upper midwest campuses where large coal-fired electric plants were required to heat multi-building sites during cold winters. Photo evidence strongly supported that suspicion.

With a few exceptions, the list consists mostly of universities from the Big 10, along with Notre Dame from South Bend, Indiana. Motive power was predominantly 44 and 45-tonners that carried either a General Electric, Whitcomb or Porter builder plate; there were also a small number of Plymouth-built units. Self-propelled cranes and track-mobiles were not intended to be part of this profile.

Although the survey results were far from definitive, some interesting historic photos appeared from the files of Krambles / Peterson. A couple are included here courtesy of Art Peterson. Additionally, nearly a dozen of the locomotives cited in this profile had served with the U.S. Military during World War II. Declared as surplus after WWII, they were purchased at a Government auction.

As for a potential roster, it is on-hold until the data that has been already collected can be verified and / or additional locomotives can be identified. In the interim, here is the preliminary information If you are aware of any other university-owned / operated locomotives, please let us know. Thank you!