In 1960, EMD built a pair of light roadswitchers, consisting of switcher carbodies and mechanicals on longer roadswitcher frames. These were given the designation of RS1325, RS denoting a roadswitcher not part of a specific series, and 1325 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 the GP20 or GP18 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 the NW5 switchers, a short hood that could contain auxiliaries and a steam 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.
Only two units of this type were produced in total, serial numbers #25773 and #25774. They made up order #4438, placed by the Chicago and 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 the Illinois & Midland Railroad when they were bought by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and added to the G&M’s ever-increasing roster of shortlines. As of 2016, both units remain in active use on the I&M with the same numbers.
