I was reading some material contained in a USATC file that was provided to TVRM some years ago and came across something interesting. It seems the 610 was built as an "Experimental Locomotive". The file contains memorandums exchanged between BLH and the USATC regarding the specifications for the locomotive. There is reference to a "Specification for an Experimental Locomotive" dated March 9, 1950. Does anyone know if old military specs such as this might on microfilm somewhere? Would the Library of Congress have a copy? And how about the BLH copies? Could they have survived in Harrisburg or maybe the RR of PA?

I guess the 610 is a prototype for a series of locomotives that were never built. Hmmmm....

G. Mark Ray - TVRM

aw90h@cs.com

Mark,

There is a subscription service called "IHS" (Information Handling Services) which offers current and historical military and commercial specifications on the internet. The service used to be provided on microfilm tapes, was later updated to CD-ROM's, and recently was changed to an on-line service. It may still be available on CD's. Their web address is: http://www.ihsengineering.com/

They offer a free trial subscription, so maybe you can join long enough to at least get the spec you're looking for (if they have it).

I work for the Navy, and we subscribe to IHS, but we don't subscribe to the historical specs. I used to have a copy of the entire S-160 spec (whatever it's officially called) that I copied from microfilm ~20 years ago, but it was left in a caboose that ended up at the SCRM and I'm told it's not there any more.

It would be very interesting to learn the history behind the 610. Please keep us informed if you find anything out of interest.

Good Luck,
Hugh Odom
The Ultimate Steam Page
http://www.trainweb.org/tusp

> I was reading some material contained in a
> USATC file that was provided to TVRM some
> years ago and came across something
> interesting. It seems the 610 was built as
> an "Experimental Locomotive". The
> file contains memorandums exchanged between
> BLH and the USATC regarding the
> specifications for the locomotive. There is
> reference to a "Specification for an
> Experimental Locomotive" dated March 9,
> 1950. Does anyone know if old military specs
> such as this might on microfilm somewhere?
> Would the Library of Congress have a copy?
> And how about the BLH copies? Could they
> have survived in Harrisburg or maybe the RR
> of PA?

> I guess the 610 is a prototype for a series
> of locomotives that were never built.
> Hmmmm....

> G. Mark Ray - TVRM


the Ultimate Steam Page
whodom@awod.com

I believe the locomotive you're thinking of is ex-Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 #610. I don't know anything more about this locomotive other than that it operated on the Southern Railway System in Washington, D.C. in 1977. During that year, it was leased from the "610 Foundation." It also powered the American Freedom Train for part of its journey. At least two other locomotives of this type were built for the Texas & Pacific, #'s 658 and 629. For more info, I suggest visting steamlocomotive.com, where you can find out how many 2-10-4's survive, how many are operable, where they are, and how many were built in the first place. I hope I have been informative.
Sincerely,
Michael Ledingham
> I was reading some material contained in a
> USATC file that was provided to TVRM some
> years ago and came across something
> interesting. It seems the 610 was built as
> an "Experimental Locomotive". The
> file contains memorandums exchanged between
> BLH and the USATC regarding the
> specifications for the locomotive. There is
> reference to a "Specification for an
> Experimental Locomotive" dated March 9,
> 1950. Does anyone know if old military specs
> such as this might on microfilm somewhere?
> Would the Library of Congress have a copy?
> And how about the BLH copies? Could they
> have survived in Harrisburg or maybe the RR
> of PA?

> I guess the 610 is a prototype for a series
> of locomotives that were never built.
> Hmmmm....

> G. Mark Ray - TVRM


electricnose@hotmail.com

> I believe the locomotive you're thinking of
> is ex-Texas & Pacific 2-10-4 #610.

Michael,

The engine YOU are thinking of is a 2-10-4 built by Lima in 1927 for the Texas & Pacific. The engine being discussed here is a 2-8-0 built by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton circa 1950 for the US Army. It is owned and operated by the Tennessee Valley Railway Museum (TVRM) with which Mark is affiliated.

Welcome to the world of the novice railfan. Your enthusiasm and interest is shared by all who post on this board. There are not that many steam engines still around with the same number!

kevingillespie@usa.net

Hugh,

Thanks for the idea of using the IHS. I am familiar with their service and I also have access to it from PC at work. I'll dig some more and see what I can uncover. I am still curious about why this locomotive was built!

Mark

aw90h@cs.com

Mark,

Glad to be of help. If you can find it, it'll be under "historical" military specifications. The "help desk" people at IHS are very accomodating from my experience. For example, one day I needed an obscure commercial spec which we didn't subscribe to (when we had the old CD-ROM service) and the help desk told me how I could temporarily get access to it for free.

I wish I still had the old S-160 mil spec I found. I distinctly remember that it had a section which "allowed" the use of one piece cast engine beds. I wonder if any of the S-160's were actually built with them?

I used to work at Charleston Naval Shipyard (now closed) which had access to a similar system for checking Navy stock numbers for equipment and material in the Navy's vast warehouses. I did a search for "steam locomotive" once and came up with National Stock Numbers (NSN's) for a 90" Niles wheel lathe and an Underwood portable crank pin turning machine. I've often wondered if there are actually some of these things crated up in government warehouses like that scene at the end of "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

Good Steaming,
Hugh Odom

> Hugh,

> Thanks for the idea of using the IHS. I am
> familiar with their service and I also have
> access to it from PC at work. I'll dig some
> more and see what I can uncover. I am still
> curious about why this locomotive was built!

> Mark


the Ultimate Steam Page
whodom@awod.com

Interesting. And the 611 is also an experimental with the Franklin RC poppet valves.

Is there any indication the 610-type engine could be built to multiple gauges?

Curiously, when the Army bought new steam for Korea, they went to a fat-boiler 2-8-2 (KNR MiKa-5) until SW-8's got there. (Korea could take US-height and width equipment)

The Electric City Trolley Museum Association