Article #90: North Carolina Ports Authority 45 Tonner L3 North Carolina Transportation Museum (May 17, 2025)

 

In this new article we will be taking a look at North Carolina Ports Authority 45 tonner L3 at the North Carolina Transportation Museum.

This locomotive was built in 1943 by General Electric. One interesting thing to point out about this locomotive is that it was built with on traction motor per truck in order to save weight. It also has side rods, which turn the other axles on the locomotive.

The locomotive spent its entire career at the Wilmington, North Carolina port where it switched freight for shipment overseas. Along with that it helped move and load cargo being brought in by the ship.

It was donated to the North Carolina Transportation Museum in 1980. It was cosmetically restored to the appearance it had in the 1970's.