Baldwin 60000

Infobox Locomotive
name=Baldwin 60000
powertype=steam
gauge=4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
builder=Baldwin Locomotive Works
serialnumber=60000
builddate=1926
whytetype=4-10-2
currentowner=Franklin Institute Science Museum
disposition=moving display - moves back and forth convert|15|ft on a short track powered by hydraulics
weight=350 short tons (320 t)
topspeed=convert|70|mph|abbr=on

Baldwin 60000 is a steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1926, during the height of the railroading industry. The Baldwin 60000 received its name for being the 60,000th locomotive built by Baldwin. cite web
title=Baldwin 60000
url=http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/LOCOLOCO/USAhp/USAhp.htm
publisher= Loco Locomotive gallery]

It was designed to be the best locomotive that Baldwin ever made; it was meant to be much larger and much more powerful than any other locomotive of the time. It boasted three cylinders, weighed about 350 short tons (320 t) and could pull a load of up to convert|7000|ST|t. The top speed was convert|70|mph|abbr=on and with a full load it took over 2 miles (3 km) to come to a full stop.

60000 was also was very innovative, carrying new technology like a sawdust spreader for traction, a mechanical stoker (an auger or corkscrew that carried coal into the fire), signaling device, and pneumatic braking. Visitors can still see and feel some leftover coal in the delivery system. Another innovation was the locomotive's water-tube boiler. This boiler was intended to improve efficiency but the tubes tended to burst inside the firebox. Also, the massive weight of the engine was too much for all but the very heaviest track.The Baldwin 60000 can carry convert|16|ST|t of coal and convert|12000|usgal|m3 of water. With normal operation, the Baldwin 60000 would have enough water for about 2 hours but at maximum speed, the time was reduced to 45 minutes. At one point during testing while in Texas, the Baldwin 60000 was retrofitted to run on oil, but was later converted back to running on coal.

This locomotive was experimental and was meant to be the model for future trains. However, its demonstration runs never persuaded railroads to purchase more of the model and in 1933, the Baldwin 60000 was purchased by the Franklin Institute Science Museum for $1 and remains there today.

References