Baldwin 60000
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| Power type | steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works |
| Serial number | 60000 |
| Build date | 1926 |
| Configuration | 4-10-2 |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Total weight | 350 short tons (320 t) |
| Top speed | 70 mph (112.7 km/h) |
| Current owner | Franklin Institute Science Museum |
| Disposition | moving display - moves back and forth 15 feet on a short track powered by hydraulics |
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
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 weighed about 350 tons and could pull a load of up to 7,000 tons. The top speed was 70 mph and with a full load it took over 2 miles 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 first was the locomotive's double-boiler. The double boiler was intended to improve efficiency but it caused steam pipes to burst inside the firebox. Also, the massive weight of the engine (compounded by the double boiler) being spread over a very small space used to cause some tracks to bend under the weight after multiple runs.
The Baldwin can carry 12 tons of coal and 16,000 gallons 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 off of oil. It has since been 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.
