Locomotives

Today M&ET has moved into the present era of truly "Modern & Efficient Transportation"!  We now have seven Railpower GenSets working in our Modesto location.  After testing and much consideration, the first order for the GenSets was placed in October and locomotives 2000 and 2001 arrived in December, 2008.

M&ET's first locomotive was actually a gas-powered passenger coach. Later, several steam locomotives gave way to the GE 70-tonners starting in 1947 with engine #600.  We look back and appreciate these locomotives which proved over many years to be a perfect match for our operations, yet, today the 70-tonners have faded to their place in history.

While the GE-70 tonners have served us very well, our business has evolved making the job of the 70-tonners challenging.  Early in 2005, we commenced our search for locomotives that could better suit our current power needs.  In November of 2006 we purchased two SW-1500's, in December 2008 we incorporated two Railpower GenSets, and in October 2009 we added five additional GenSets to our existing fleet.

In October, 1997, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of one of our locomotives, engine 600. As M&ET's president noted, "The conversion from steam to diesel-electric power which occurred throughout the railroad industry beginning approximately 50-55 years ago was a momentous change. Diesel-electric power continues to be the dominant and preferred technology for locomotive power."  

It is with mixed emotion we share with you that the time has come to put our wonderful 70 tonners out to pasture.  After more than 60 years of faithful service on the M&ET, new technology has replaced the old workhorses.  The entire fleet of 70 tonners, along with the SW 1500s, were taken out of service in November 2009.  While we plan to keep locomotive 600 for historical reasons, the rest of the 70-ton fleet is sold.