Deep in the woods of Connecticut sits the ghostly remains of a rare eighty year old abandoned locomotive. It has rarely been photographed, despite sitting in the same location for nearly twenty years now.
From the 1800s to 1988 the Remington Arms company had a massive factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was large enough to require it’s own small freight railroad.
Just before the factory shut down, their locomotive – a small 45 Ton GE, was sold and relocated further north. The factory itself became an abandoned wreck—which was the scene of several multi-alarm fires over the years. It is currently being demolished (2023).
The locomotives story is far less clear. It is rumored to be owned by the Housatonic Railroad, and was allegedly used as their first tourist train locomotive. I’ve found no photographic evidence of this. One of the rare photographs of this locomotive from twenty years ago suggests it was gifted to the railroad under the condition it would be restored. This clearly never happened (and judging from the the fact that Housatonic relies on leased locomotives, it seems unlikely to take place anytime soon).
It was one of nearly 350 of this model locomotive built. Built in 1942, it’s a rare example of one that was not bought by the U.S. Military—though clearly a weapons manufacturer like Remington may have gotten some preferential treatment during these war years.
I wish I had proof of the provenance of this locomotive, but I do not. The only hard fact I’m comfortable sharing is that it has sat on a siding in the woods for at least two decades now. Its current ownership and future are highly questionable. If you know more, please comment below (I’d love to see some solid proof so I can clear up this mystery).
This is the most ‘abandoned’, neglected diesel locomotive in New England. Period. Yes, someone owns it—probably the railroad—but the story of when they got it and under what terms seems debatable. Also, there are the abandoned steam locomotives deep in the woods of Maine, but this diesel locomotive has remained off the radar longer, and has been rarely visited by railfans, explorers, or anyone else for that matter. And for good reason—to access it requires permission from a nearby mine (a tall order) or a long hike.
I considered whether or not to post this online, given the ‘security by obscurity’ aspect of it, but there’s nothing really left to secure. It has sat here for at least two decades. Significant parts have already been removed from it. A graffiti artist found it before I arrived (and twenty years ago, it sported tags on it’s opposite side). It is my hope that putting some eyes on it might actually help—help clarify who owns it, if the intent was ever for it to arrive at a museum, and if it’s worth trying to save it now. Like any good rail nerd I’d love to see it saved, but that will cost quite a bit of money, money that could go towards saving what is already sitting rotting in museums. Realistically, there are quite a few 45-Ton GE’s preserved.
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yes..you are correct…I guess lack of money did it in. Even today I bet the Housatonic Railroad is not arond for long. NOW 2023/4 they are giving up and abandonment of their New York line. The only rail connection to the west out of Connecticut. (besides Metro North–New Haven to NYC etc.) Years from now where is any Rail ability etc.