Northern Pacific Diesel Era 1945-1970

The Northern Pacific entered the diesel era with a large fleet of modern, well-maintained steam locomotives. Furthermore, the railroad had large reserves of low-cost coal.

Although the diesel-electric locomotive offered many advantages, such as reduction in shop forces, dismantling of costly coaling facilities, elimination of many water stations, and the ability to run around the clock, conversion to diesel power entailed many risks for the railroad.

Northern Pacific Diesel Era 1945-1970 by Lorenz P. Schrenk and Robert L. Frey tells how the NP gradually and then more rapidly made the transition to diesel-electric motive power. The book covers in detail all of the road’s diesel locomotives, from the beginning in 1945 until 1970.

Lorenz P. Schrenk, a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a member of the headquarters staff of Honeywell. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the George Washington University and an MA and PhD degree in experimental psychology from Ohio State University. A long-standing interest in railraod history led Larry to found and edit a newsletter for fans of the famed Colorado Midland Railway for seven years. He then turned his attention to a railroad that once ran closer to home — the Northern Pacific. As a trained researcher, he has especially enjoyed the many contacts with fellow rail enthusiasts.

A native of York, Pennsylvania, Robert L. Frey is currently professor of history and dean of the college at Wilmington College in Virginia. Bob has been interested in railroads since his father took him to the railroad station in York, to watch the western parade of passenger trains during World War II. In addition to his love for full-sized railroads, Bob is an avid HO model railroader.