The Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society is opening the next chapter for two historic Pennsylvania Railroad E-Units, long stored on the Batten Kill Railroad and painted in Lackawanna livery. In the wake of the Iowa Pacific Holdings bankruptcy, the Fort Wayne Railroad and its members stepped in to safeguard and stabilize these locomotives, preserving their potential for what comes next.
A mechanical inspection, performed shortly after their sale in 2021, is listed on this page, noting missing or salvaged parts taken before their acquisition, and the condition of the once operable units.
Built in September and November 1952, respectively, these units served the Pennsylvania Railroad, Penn Central, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Green Mountain Railroad, and Central New York NRHS.
The Fort Wayne Railroad has built its reputation on bringing vintage steam and diesel power back to life, yet the need for of a matched set of passenger units in its future remains uncertain, especially as its territory and fleet increasingly reflect a New York Central story.
These locomotives could be adapted to match that heritage, but paint alone doesn’t justify the scale of investment they would require. With a full roster already in motion and a calendar that rarely sits still, the moment has arrived to invite others to step forward and shape the next chapter for these machines.
Qualified individuals and organizations should be able to make an in-person inspection and arrange shipping, as well as fund the transportation. Last quoted/estimated rates per unit to Indiana/Ohio are as follows CSX: $9,668.00, Norfolk Southern: $4,192.00, Batten Kill: $600.00.
Additional inspection images are available for qualified inquiries.
