Thank you Joe, I never heard of Sterling engines before. I have read Whitcomb literature that indicates many different engine makes were used in their locomotives but never Sterling. And I will see if I can locate that book.

I suspect that GE and EMD offered superior engines than Whitcomb. All of the engine makes that Whitcomb used that I'm aware of are gone with the exception of Caterpillar.

They always used Westinghouse generators and motors.

Steve

A quick Google search and the wonder of the internet comes to the rescue:



Seems they did a lot of marine engines. I can't find any reference to locomotive applications other than your source.

http://www.vintageadbrowser.com/search? ... ng+engine+





Steve

Contact the author, Allan Graham at:

P.O. Box 335,
Alberton, PE
Canada
C0B 1B0
1-902-853-3211

I did find this:

http://blog.traingeek.ca/2010_01_01_archive.html



Learned something new. I might contact the author to find out what exactly was wrong with the Whitcombs.

I believe one of these engines still runs at the Fox Valley Trolley Museum in South Elgin , Illinois.

http://www.foxtrolley.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1146778



Steve

That would be really neat if that is one of those CNR units. A CNR unit that never served on the CNR...

Found this on the California State Railroad Museum website:

Library/Manuscript CollectionsMore research is required to determine the relationships between the companies.

Edit: There is an indication that the above mentioned Sterling Engine may be Sterling Machine Company of Menominee, Michigan, and formerly of Buffalo, New York, acquired by B-L-H in 1962.

Here's a bit more about Sterling diesels:

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83642

The CNR units were built under license by CLC and the first ones were tested extensively in the Montreal area. They were so unsatisfactory, that CNR cancelled the order and returned the completed units to CLC.

They never reached their intended stomping grounds on Prince Edward Island. CN ended up buying highly satisfactory GE 70 tonners instead, while the Whitcomb/ CLC units were extensively rebuilt and were sold to Rock Island.

I have not seen detailed reports of the flaws but it should be noted that CN was usually quite patient in working with manufacturers to solve problems. The fact they sent them back while the order was still being built indicates there were serious, fundamental problems.

Steve Hunter

From http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr1892.htm :

"73, 70DE24, was built by Whitcomb in April 1948, #60748, as Potlatch Forests Inc 73. It was transferred to the W&SR as 73 in 1963 and later sold to the Fox River Trolley Museum in 1991

Steve Hunter

Just as an FYI, the Maryland Rail Heritage Library just took possession of what appears to be a complete set of Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, as well as some issues of Baldwin Group and Baldwin Southwark Magazines as well, and I know for a fact that several duplicate copies of certain issues are on hand. If you can ID specific issues relevant to your needs, we can come to some sale or trade arrangement, pending approval by the Baltimore Streetcar Museum.......

I'll be happy to flip through to look for any Whitcomb-relevant info when I have spare time, which at the current rate will be "never".......

Very good. I overlooked that statement. It just amazes me how many companies were gobbled up by large conglomerates. The death of so many small locomotive builders and the eventual domination by just a couple is a very common pattern in capitalism.

Steve

I remember riding on the Fox Valley Trolley line being pulled by that Whitcomb engine when it broke down. It got us back to the museum but was leaking coolant.

Someone working at the museum said that their Whitcomb had been originally built in Canada then rebuilt by Whitcomb. I'll give them an email and see if they respond.

Steve

I would greatly appreciate it if you could search through them. The only issue that I know of is the one I just obtained. If you can find Whitcomb adds please let me know. People are selling those adds on ebay for at least $10 + shipping. Our local Rochelle museum is going to do a Whitcomb display after the first of the year - I'm basically doing it with their assistance.

http://www.flaggtownshipmuseum.org/

I'll post photos here when the exhibit is done.



The car in the photo is a Partin Palmer. They were assembled in the Whitcomb factory for a short time.

Steve

Now the question about those CNR units is, which plant made them? Were they made in the Whitcomb plant, and then sold to the CNR through the CLC? I've heard of similar deals being made, including one with the CPR for a series of Baldwin Switchers, including one preserved at the John Street Roundhouse. It carries both CLC plates AND Baldwin plates (although I couldn't find any in service photos of those engines that show two builders plates).

That museum also has another CLC switcher built to the Whitcomb design.

http://www.trha.ca/locomotives.html#whitcomb

That engine looks exactly like the one in our Rochelle Railroad Park:



Right to left are myself, Bert Cote and his wife.

Bert is the gent that was photographed in the 1944 E Award Ceremony holding the flag. Shortly after he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army in Germany with the "Hell on Wheels" armored division.



Does the CNR Whitcomb have the Whitcomb name on the end like this one?

Steve

Some of the WW II history involving Whitcombs.

Steve