EMD Yard Switchers

By the early 1970s, a struggling Columbus & Greenville Railway was on the cusp of being incorporated into the newly formed Illinois Central Gulf system. Given its weak financial status and its pending absorption, it would have seemed a strange time for the shortline to add motive power to its roster. However, in late 1971 the railroad's primary road power — the sturdy EMD SD28 pair — was involved in a major grade crossing accident. During their hiatus for repairs, the Delta Route leased from its pending parent ICG a trio of small EMD model SW1 switchers to augment its switching power (with the Baldwins now serving temporary road duty). Impressed by the switchers, the C&G promptly purchased four other secondhand SW1 models from the Terminal Railway Association of St. Louis. The little red switchers were quickly stationed in Columbus, Greenwood, and Greenville to take over local switching duties. Their arrival spelled the end of the line for the two centercab Whitcombs that had been assigned to Greenwood and Greenville. After the CAGY regained locally-owned independence from the ICG, the original plus more secondhand SW1s served the new Delta Route well into the 1980s.