Here's an article about the last Badwin headed for preservation.

http://www.forestlaketimes.com/2003/October/22IronHorsestory.html

This article confused me when I first saw it in "Flimsies". The dead giveaways are "50 tons" and "too light for its purposes". I can't find my Baldwin book, but from what I recall the last locos built from Baldwin plans were S-12's and RS-12's, neither of which could be construed to be 50 tons. Baldwin did operate Whitcomb as a division out of Rochelle, Ill., however, and in the end was overlapping builder numbers. I know the Whitcomb-built adjustable-gauge RS4TC switchers built for the military came with joint B-L-H plates and always get called "Baldwins" even though it's like calling a 2003 Chrysler car a "Daimler". Plus, Whitcomb also had a center-cab industrial 50-ton switcher, somewhat similar to GE center-cab designs.

On the other hand, there are reports that SMS Services just acquired a former Chesapeake RR/Beaufort & Morehead Whitcomb for its Baldwin collection..........

LNER4472-NOSPAM-@bcpl.net

> This article confused me when I first saw it
> in "Flimsies". The dead giveaways
> are "50 tons" and "too light
> for its purposes". I can't find my
> Baldwin book, but from what I recall the
> last locos built from Baldwin plans were
> S-12's and RS-12's, neither of which could
> be construed to be 50 tons. Baldwin did
> operate Whitcomb as a division out of
> Rochelle, Ill., however, and in the end was
> overlapping builder numbers. I know the
> Whitcomb-built adjustable-gauge RS4TC
> switchers built for the military came with
> joint B-L-H plates and always get called
> "Baldwins" even though it's like
> calling a 2003 Chrysler car a
> "Daimler". Plus, Whitcomb also had
> a center-cab industrial 50-ton switcher,
> somewhat similar to GE center-cab designs.

In Mr. Jay Reed's book, "Critters, Dinkys & Centercabs," he has a picture of a Witcomb 50 tonner end cab with two, two axle trucks designated "S3". Even though they were designed by Witcomb, they were built after the Witcomb plant in Rachelle, Il, was closed and they were assigned BLW serial numbers and wore BLW builder plates. I guess that would make them BLW engines since BLW had owned and operated the Witcomb plant as a subsidiary prior to it's closing.

But Mr. Fred Westing's book, "The Locomotives that Baldwin Built," has on the last page a picture of a dinky of 25 to 30 tons (probably also a Witcomb designed engine). The caption reads, "Owned by the Marbleclift Quarries No. 7615 was the last of the long line of Baldwins." Unfortunately, no further indentifying information is supplied. Since Mr. Westing was an employee of Baldwin and after the merger with Lima-Hamilton, worked with the Franklin Institute, I would have to give his opinion some weight.

Ed

ff1044@aol.com