In 1960, EMD built a pair of lightroad switcher locomotives, consisting of switcher carbodies and mechanicals on longer roadswitcher frames. These were given the designation ofRS1325,RS denoting a roadswitcher not part of a specific series, and1325 denoting the unit's horsepower. The RS1325's were 4-axle, B-B diesels constructed by GM-EMD in September 1960. The cab and forward is styled similarly to that of theSW7,SW9 orSW1200 with a long sloping hood and the standard rounded top cab of the time. The long hood is low and more representative of a true switcher body. They had, similarly to theNW5 switchers, a short hood that could contain auxiliaries and asteam generator for passenger equipment, as EMD intended for them to be purchased as passenger switchers. However, the only two built lacked such amenities, as they were purposefully built for freight service.[1]
Only two units were produced in total, serial numbers 25773 and 25774. They made up order #4438, placed by theChicago & Illinois Midland Railway, and they were given the numbers #30 and #31 in service. A green paint scheme with a thin red stripe adorned them until the C&IM was renamed as theIllinois & Midland Railroad when they were bought byGenesee & Wyoming and added to the G&W's ever-increasing roster ofshortlines.[1] 25774 (#31) was last in service with Illinois and Midland, but in June 2016, 25773 (#30) was transferred to theAtlantic & Western Railway. In 2020, #31 was acquired by theMonticello Railway Museum,[2] and in 2022, #30 was donated to theIllinois Railway Museum, arriving in June 2023.[3][4]
