Baldwin DR-6
Encyclopedia
Baldwin Locomotive Works
produced several different Baldwin DR-6 models of 6-axle passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive
s between 1945 and 1948. The series comprised eight individual versions, all of which sold only in small numbers; across all versions, only 39 locomotives were produced. Each version was produced only for a single railroad. Many shared the same Baldwin model number, DR-6-4-2000, even though they were rather different; this was because the Baldwin model only encoded the total axles (6), the driven axles (4) and the power output (2,000 hp). The single exception was the single unit produced for the Chicago and North Western Railway
, which had a single 1000 hp engine and was model number DR-6-2-1000. In the AAR wheel arrangement
scheme of classification, these locomotives were of A1A-A1A and A1A-3 arrangements, respectively.
(NdeM) and assigned road #6000 and #6001.
ordered six DR-6-4-2000 locomotives, #2000–#2005, which were unusual for North American diesel locomotives in that they had driving cabs at both ends. They were thus nicknamed "Janus
" locomotives, after the two-faced Roman god of the same name. The cab style was nicknamed "Babyface" and was used by several other Baldwin models. The original paint scheme was a deep, rich blue on the lower part of the locomotive and a golden yellow on the upper, and was very striking.
ordered two locomotives, road #280 and #281. These were delivered in a single-ended "babyface" carbody.
and were delivered in 1948 in the sharknose
body style designed by Raymond Loewy
, as diesel running mates to the T1
steam locomotive; also built by Baldwin and similarly styled by Loewy. Eighteen A unit
s and nine B unit
s were produced, producing nine three-unit locomotive sets of 6000 hp. The PRR classified them as BP-20 (Baldwin Passenger, 2,000 horsepower). They were originally used on top-flight express train
s such as the Broadway Limited
, but problems soon relegated them to lesser service. They ended their days on commuter trains along the New York and Long Branch in New Jersey
. A small number were de-rated for use in freight service (re-classified as BF16z).
was produced for the Chicago and North Western Railway and assigned road #5000. This contained only a single 606SC engine of 1000 hp; the rear engine compartment was replaced by a baggage compartment as it hauled mostly local trains. Other locomotive units like this included the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad's
EMC AB6 in their original form.
(#3200–3203), and three for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
(#2700–2702). Two cabless boosters were also built, both for the New York Central (#3210–3211).
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
produced several different Baldwin DR-6 models of 6-axle passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
s between 1945 and 1948. The series comprised eight individual versions, all of which sold only in small numbers; across all versions, only 39 locomotives were produced. Each version was produced only for a single railroad. Many shared the same Baldwin model number, DR-6-4-2000, even though they were rather different; this was because the Baldwin model only encoded the total axles (6), the driven axles (4) and the power output (2,000 hp). The single exception was the single unit produced for the Chicago and North Western Railway
Chicago and North Western Railway
The Chicago and North Western Transportation Company was a Class I railroad in the Midwest United States. It was also known as the North Western. The railroad operated more than of track as of the turn of the 20th century, and over of track in seven states before retrenchment in the late 1970s...
, which had a single 1000 hp engine and was model number DR-6-2-1000. In the AAR wheel arrangement
AAR wheel arrangement
The AAR wheel arrangement system is a method of classifying locomotive wheel arrangements that was developed by the Association of American Railroads. It is essentially a simplification of the European UIC classification, and it is widely used in North America to describe diesel and electric...
scheme of classification, these locomotives were of A1A-A1A and A1A-3 arrangements, respectively.
Baldwin demonstrators
The first produced version comprised a pair of DR-6-4-2000 demonstrators built in 1945. This, unlike later models, used Baldwin's VO engine model. These locomotives had a unique cab that featured the same upright, aggressive prow as the Baldwin "Centipede" demonstrator but with a shorter nose. They emerged as Baldwin #2000 and #2001. After demonstrating on a number of railroads, they were sold to Ferrocarriles Nacionales de MéxicoFerrocarriles Nacionales de México
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México, was Mexico's state owned railroad company from 1938 to 1998, and prior to 1938 a major railroad controlled by the government that linked Mexico City to the major cities of Nuevo Laredo and Ciudad Juárez on the U.S. border...
(NdeM) and assigned road #6000 and #6001.
608NA-engined DR-6-4-20 locomotives
Three different railroads ordered the DR-6-4-2000 model with the 608NA 8-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, but in visually different forms.CNJ locomotives
The Central Railroad of New JerseyCentral Railroad of New Jersey
The Central Railroad of New Jersey , commonly known as the Jersey Central Lines or CNJ, was a Class I railroad with origins in the 1830s, lasting until 1976 when it was absorbed into Conrail with the other bankrupt railroads of the Northeastern United States...
ordered six DR-6-4-2000 locomotives, #2000–#2005, which were unusual for North American diesel locomotives in that they had driving cabs at both ends. They were thus nicknamed "Janus
Janus
-General:*Janus , the two-faced Roman god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings*Janus , a moon of Saturn*Janus Patera, a shallow volcanic crater on Io, a moon of Jupiter...
" locomotives, after the two-faced Roman god of the same name. The cab style was nicknamed "Babyface" and was used by several other Baldwin models. The original paint scheme was a deep, rich blue on the lower part of the locomotive and a golden yellow on the upper, and was very striking.
GM&O locomotives
The Gulf, Mobile and Ohio RailroadGulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad
The Gulf, Mobile and Ohio was a Class I railroad in the central United States whose primary routes extended from Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana, to St...
ordered two locomotives, road #280 and #281. These were delivered in a single-ended "babyface" carbody.
NdeM locomotive
The Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México ordered one additional DR-6-4-2000 unit after purchasing the two demonstrators. This was assigned road #6002 and had nearly identical styling to the demonstrators, but used two 608NA engines instead of their VO power plants.606SC-engined DR-6-4-2000 locomotives
These were produced exclusively for the Pennsylvania RailroadPennsylvania Railroad
The Pennsylvania Railroad was an American Class I railroad, founded in 1846. Commonly referred to as the "Pennsy", the PRR was headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
and were delivered in 1948 in the sharknose
Sharknose
Sharknose is a term applied by railfans to the styling of several cab unit diesel locomotives built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works to the specifications of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The styling was by the PRR's preferred designer, Raymond Loewy, with the distinctive nose reminiscent of his...
body style designed by Raymond Loewy
Raymond Loewy
Raymond Loewy was an industrial designer, and the first to be featured on the cover of Time Magazine, on October 31, 1949. Born in France, he spent most of his professional career in the United States...
, as diesel running mates to the T1
PRR T1
The Pennsylvania Railroad's 52 T1 class duplex-drive 4-4-4-4 steam locomotives, introduced in 1942 and 1946 , were their last-built steam locomotives and their most controversial. They were ambitious, technologically sophisticated, powerful, fast, and uniquely streamlined by Raymond Loewy...
steam locomotive; also built by Baldwin and similarly styled by Loewy. Eighteen A unit
A unit
An A unit, in railroad terminology, is a locomotive equipped with a driving cab, or crew compartment, and the control system to control other locomotives in a multiple unit, and therefore able to be the lead unit in a consist of several locomotives controlled from a single position...
s and nine B unit
B unit
A "B" unit, in railroad terminology, is a locomotive unit which does not have a driving cab, or crew compartment, and must therefore be controlled from another, coupled locomotive with a driving cab . The term booster unit is also used. The concept was largely confined to North America...
s were produced, producing nine three-unit locomotive sets of 6000 hp. The PRR classified them as BP-20 (Baldwin Passenger, 2,000 horsepower). They were originally used on top-flight express train
Express train
Express trains are a form of rail service. Express trains make only a small number of stops, instead of stopping at every single station...
s such as the Broadway Limited
Broadway Limited
The Broadway Limited was the Pennsylvania Railroad's premier named passenger train, operating daily in each direction between New York City and Chicago, via North Philadelphia. It replaced its predecessors, the Pennsylvania Limited and the Pennsylvania Special...
, but problems soon relegated them to lesser service. They ended their days on commuter trains along the New York and Long Branch in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. A small number were de-rated for use in freight service (re-classified as BF16z).
DR-6-2-1000
A single DR-6-2-1000 locomotive of A1A-3 wheel arrangementWheel arrangement
In rail transport, a wheel arrangement is a system of classifying the way in which wheels are distributed beneath a locomotive.. Several notations exist to describe the wheel assemblies of a locomotive by type, position, and connections, with the adopted notations varying by country...
was produced for the Chicago and North Western Railway and assigned road #5000. This contained only a single 606SC engine of 1000 hp; the rear engine compartment was replaced by a baggage compartment as it hauled mostly local trains. Other locomotive units like this included the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad's
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I railroad in the United States. It was also known as the Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.-Incorporation:...
EMC AB6 in their original form.
608SC-engined DR-6-4-1500 locomotives
Baldwin also built “Babyface” A1A-A1A units with a single 608SC engine of 1500 hp. Seven cab-equipped locomotives were built—four for the New York Central RailroadNew York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
(#3200–3203), and three for the Seaboard Air Line Railroad
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
The Seaboard Air Line Railroad , which styled itself "The Route of Courteous Service," was an American railroad whose corporate existence extended from April 14, 1900, until July 1, 1967, when it merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, its longtime rival, to form the Seaboard Coast Line...
(#2700–2702). Two cabless boosters were also built, both for the New York Central (#3210–3211).