Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500

Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500
Columbus & Greenville Railway 601 on display in Columbus, Mississippi
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderBaldwin Locomotive Works
ModelDRS-6-4-1500
Build date1946–1952
Total produced91
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARA1A-A1A
Trucks6-wheel
Wheel diameter42"
Minimum curve30 degrees
Length58'
Adhesive weight187,000 lbs
Loco weight280,000 lbs
Prime mover608SC
RPM:
 • Maximum RPM625
Engine typeFour-stroke diesel engine
GeneratorWestinghouse WE471
Traction motorsWestinghouse WE370 ​
 • Continuous42,800 lbs at 10.5 mph with 15:63 gearing
Gear ratio68:15
CompressorWestinghouse 3C2C
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph
Power output1,500 hp (1,100 kW)

The Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500 was a diesel-electric locomotive that was produced by Baldwin Locomotive Works between 1946 and 1952. DRS-6-4-1500, one of Baldwin’s heavy road-switchers, was rated at 1,500 horsepower and powered with a 608SC engine and rode on two three-axle trucks with an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. As was the case with nearly all of Baldwin's diesel designs, Westinghouse supplied the company with all of the DRS-6-4-1500’s needed internal components such as traction motors, generators, and air equipment.

Overall, 91 units were sold in the United States and three North African countries over the course of six years. 29 units were sold domestically to seven railroads between 1946 and 1948, but the model did far better in the export market with 62 units purchased for Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian railways between 1946 and 1952. The model designed for foreign sale in Africa was listed as the DRS-6-4-1500E and was essentially the same as its domestic counterpart except for a different end cab setup. The DRS-6-4-1500 was replaced in Baldwin's catalog by the AS-416 in 1950, but it continued to be produced for export orders until 1952.

Original buyers

Railroad Quantity Road Number(s) Date Built Notes
Baldwin Locomotive Works
2
1500 (demo)
1946 Sold to Union Pacific as 1250 in 1948.
1501 (demo)
1948 Sold to Kennecott Copper as 901 in 1949, wrecked in 1952 and reconfigured to B-B trucks.
Columbus & Greenville Railway
5
601–605
1946-1947 601 was the first diesel road switcher sold domestically by Baldwin.
Chicago & North Western Railway
1
1504
1948 Repowered by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division 1500 hp 16-567C.
Norfolk Southern Railway
10
1501–1510
1947-1948 1504, 1507, and 1508 were sold to Durham & Southern as 363, 364, and 365, respectively. The A1A-A1A trucks on 1507 and 1508 were replaced by B-B trucks.
Savannah & Atlanta Railway
8
100–107
1948
Southern Pacific Company
3
5200–5202
1948
Chemins de fer Algériens
40
DA 1-15
1946-1947
DB 1-25
1947-1948
Chemins de fer du Maroc
18
DA 101
1946 Renumbered as DA 301.
DA 102-105
1947 Renumbered as DA 302-305.
DA 201-206
DA 306-307
1949
DA 308-309
1951
DC 331-333
1952 Renumbered as DA 310-312.
Chemins de fer Tunisiens
4
DA 1-4
1946 Renumbered as DA 301-304 in 1950/52, sold to Chemins de fer du Maroc in 1958 and renumbered to DA 321-324 with power reduced to 750 hp.
Total 91

References

  • Brown, John. (2001). The Baldwin Locomotive Works, 1831-1915: A Study in American Industrial Practice. Studies in Industry and Society Series. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-80186-812-2.
  • Dolzall, Gary W.; Dolzall, Stephen F. (1984). Diesels from Eddystone: The Story of Baldwin Diesel Locomotives. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-052-6.
  • Kirkland, John F. (1994). The Diesel Builders volume 3: Baldwin Locomotive Works. Interurbans Special No. 116. Glendale, CA: Interurban Press. ISBN 978-0916374938.
  • Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series. Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-258-2.
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Baldwin Locomotives. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-76033-589-5.