When did railroads start using diesel engine block heaters?

[Brakie]

I am going to favour the argument in favour of a small engine shed for the shortline's diesel loco.

I know from my railroad reading that New England winters can be damn cold, and snowy so I figure that doing Daily Inspections and routine maintenance procedures outside would be beyond a joke after the first few times.

A diesel loco is a big capital investment for a shortline so protecting it from the weather, and undesirables, as well as providing somewhere to store all the bits and pieces that go with it would be considered prudent.
Another point to consider about servicing the loco is when the job is going to take more than one shift to do. A job is a lot easier when you can just leave everything laid out and pick it up in the morning, rather than pack up make safe and secure and then start all over again in the morning.

Think about what it is like to have to do something on your car when you dont have a garage to work in and then scale up to a loco that needs daily attention.

Also just how long has the shortline been running? Did it operate during the days of steam? Shortlines would often ensure a steam loco was safely secured at night. Was it a class one cast off.

Mark

Mark,The majority of shortlines are penny operations at best and won't waste money on the fancier things like engine houses and fueling pad.
Some short lines store their engine inside of a rail served industry that has indoor rail docks or their transload warehouse.

The stronger shortlines could have a new metal or concrete engine house.

NS has a local based out of Marion-there is no engine house same applies to CSX Marion yard operation.

Why?
Engine houses cost money to maintain and a diesel doesn't really need to be kept inside.

All that is requires is a small metal cabinet with a electrical outlet to house the power cord for the block heater.

After steam was dead railroads closed and razed enginehouses that once served branchline locomotives since they was no longer needed.