Baldwin VO-1000
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TheBaldwin VO-1000is adiesel-electricswitcher locomotivebuilt by theBaldwin Locomotive Worksbetween January 1939 and December 1946. These units were powered by a naturally aspirated eight-cylinderdiesel enginerated at 1,000 horsepower (746 kW), and rode on a pair of two-axle trucks in aB-Bwheel arrangement. These were either theAARType-A switchertrucks,or theBatz truckoriginally developed by theAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railwayas a leading truck forsteam locomotives.548 examples of this model were built forAmericanrailroads, including examples for theArmyandNavy.
Between June and August 1945 Baldwin supplied 30Co-Coroad locomotives with 8-cylinder VO engines for export to theSoviet Unionas theirДб20 (Db20) class.
There are at least eight intact examples of the VO-1000 that are known to survive today, most of which are owned by museums or historical societies. However, a VO-1000m is owned by theNorthwestern Pacific Railroad,a local freight carrier based in Schellville, California.
Conversions[edit]
In the early 1960s theReading Companysent 14 of their VO-1000s toGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Divisionto have them rebuilt toSW900specifications. These locomotives retained most of their original carbodies, and were subsequently given the designationVO-1000m.
Around the same time, theElgin, Joliet and Eastern Railwayrepowered its VO1000s withturbocharged606SC Baldwin engines taken from its EMD-repowered fleet ofBaldwin DT-6-6-2000locomotives. The work was performed at EJ&E'sJoliet, Illinoisworkshops, and produced a finished unit that featured an offset exhaust stack and left-side turbocharger bulge, the latter being much like that found on Baldwinroad switchers.TheAtlantic Coast Line Railroadhad eight of their VO1000s repowered withEMD 567series engines, which produced 1,200 hp (890 kW). TheGreat Northern Railwayconverted four VO-1000s intotransfer caboosesin 1964. The units were stripped to their bare frames (the original trucks and distinctive cast steps were left in place) and fitted with 15-foot (4.6 m)-long steel cabins.
TheSt. Louis – San Francisco Railwayrepowered theirs with EMD 567C prime movers in the late 50's and early 60's. The conversion lead to extended use into the late 70's. Most units were retired in 1979, though some were sold off.
In December 1970 theAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway(soon after its successfulCF7capital rebuilding program) produced a unique switcher locomotive, known to railfans as the "Beep",at itsCleburne, Texasservice facility. The company hoped to determine whether or not remanufacturing its aging, non-EMD end cab switchers by fitting them with new EMDprime moverswas economically prudent. The conversion proved too costly, and only the one unit was modified.
Original owners[edit]
Preserved examples[edit]
- B&O#412 is operational inBridgeport, NJ.(ex-USN #19)
- BOMX #32 is preserved at theB&O Railroad MuseuminBaltimore, MD.(ex-Canton Railroad Company#32, exx-Patapsco and Back Rivers Railroad#331)
- Colorado and Wyoming Railway#1107 is preserved at theMuseum of the American RailroadinDallas, TX.
- NC&StL#36 is preserved at theTennessee Valley Railroad MuseuminChattanooga, TN.However this engine never served "The Dixie Line", this one served theUnited States Navy
- NKP#99 is preserved at theIndiana Transportation MuseuminNoblesville, IN.(ex-USN #9) According to unconfirmed reports this locomotive was to be sold to the city of Kokomo, Indiana for static display but the deal was never finalized.
- NNRM (Kennecott Copper) #801 is operational at Nevada Northern RyEly, NV.
- OERM #8 is preserved at theOrange Empire Railway MuseuminPerris, CA.
- WMRY #132 is preserved at theHagerstown Roundhouse MuseuminHagerstown, MD.
- BLW #1200 is preserved at theRailroad Museum of PennsylvaniainStrasburg, PA.
SLSF 200 (repowered with an EMD 567C engine and equipped with an EMD SW1200 hood) is preserved at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum in Chattanooga.
References[edit]
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973).The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide.Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co. pp. 228–291.ISBN0-89024-026-4.
- Kirkland, John F. (November 1994).The Diesel Builders volume 3: Baldwin Locomotive Works.Pasadena, California: Interurban Press.ISBN0-916374-93-9.