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The Baldwin RS12

The Baldwin RS12 was the final road switcher the builder would produce. Meant to replace the earlier DRS-4-4-1000 model but with a bit more horsepower, unfortunately the RS12 found little success as well although it did sell about twice as many examples and to more railroads than its predecessor. One reason the model was simply the fact that Baldwin was already offering three more powerful road switcher models; the AS16, AS416, and AS616. Despite the fact that the then Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation (BLH) was concentrating much more seriously on being a prominent diesel locomotive manufacturer it was still clinging to the steam locomotive ideal of offering specialized models (such as those mentioned above). In comparison, industry-leader Electro-Motive Division was cataloging just two road switcher designs at the time; the GP7 and later SD7 both of which were replaced in the mid-1950s by the upgraded GP9 and SD9 models. Today, McCloud River Railroad #33 survives and is in operational for California's popular Skunk Train.

The Baldwin RS12 was essentially an oversized switcher offering comparable horsepower to similar models being produced at the time by EMD, such as the SW7/SW9, and the American Locomotive Company (Alco), such as the S-2. Interestingly, Baldwin never offered a small switcher design like its competitors despite the fact that for many years it only concentrated on less powerful diesel models (it had, however, been producing small electric motors such a various box cab designs for years in conjunction with Westinghouse). The RS12 was one of four road switcher models Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton offered in its new Standard line that was released in 1950. These new locomotives sold far better than the company's earlier designs in the 1940s and one cannot help but wonder how successful BLH would have become had parent Westinghouse allowed it to continue refining its models.

In any event, BLH's new classification system for its diesels were also fairly straightforward, and certainly much easier to decipher than its earlier system that was partially based from the steam era. In the case of the RS12 the "RS" referred to Road Switcher while the "12" regarded its 1,200 horsepower (the model was actually even easier to understand than the AS16, AS416, and AS616 classifications). The RS12 began production in April, 1951 and utilized BLH's 608NA prime mover, an upgraded version of a previous Baldwin engine. The locomotive featured a B-B truck setup (meaning there were two axles per truck) but no dynamic braking. As with all of Baldwin's road switchers the RS12 used its standard carbody design; short lead hood, offset cab, and trailing long hood. The design was actually quite pleasing with soft beveling and a flush roof line.

Overall, the RS12 was 58 feet in length and weighed in at a very light 133 tons (for a locomotive of its size). While rather long and light for its horsepower rating and size the locomotive included a starting tractive effort of 60,000 pounds and 34,000 pounds continuous. Unfortunately, Baldwin could find few buyers for the RS12, as had been the case with the DRS-4-4-1000. It is quite likely that one reason for its poor sales numbers is the fact that it did not offer dynamic braking, a feature similar designs being offered by EMD and Alco included (and had for years). It is very puzzling that Baldwin neglected, for whatever reason, not to offer dynamic braking in its models particularly considering its advantages. It was offered as an option in the RS12, as was a steam generator, but only the McCloud River Railroad ordered dynamic brakes.

Additionally, by this time EMD's GP line was well established, as was Alco's RS line (especially the RS3), and coupled with Baldwin's perception for unreliable and troublesome equipment only 50 RS12s were ultimately built by the time production had ended in 1956. The New York Central would come to own the most, 17, which interestingly were supposed to be model LRS-1200s built by Lima. However, due to the Lima-Baldwin merger NYC accepted the RS12 model instead. In total, eight railroads purchased the RS12; the aforementioned NYC and McCloud River as well as the Milwaukee Road, Jersey Central, Durham & Southern, Kaiser Bauxite, Seaboard Air Line, and ever-loyal Pennsylvania. Also, for a total production roster of Baldwin RS12s please click here. Lastly, for more information about the RS12s and all Baldwin road switcher models please refer to the chart below.

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Baldwin Road Switchers

Model Type	Units Built	Date Built	Horsepower
AS16	127	1950-1955	1,600
AS416	25	1950-1955	1,600
AS616	214	1950-1954	1,600
RS12	50	1951-1956	1,200
DRS-4-4-1000	22	1948-1950	1,000
DRS-4-4-1500	35	1946-1950	1,500
DRS-6-4-1500	91	1946-1948	1,500
DRS-6-6-1500	83	1948-1950	1,500

For more information on the Baldwin RS12 road switchers consider Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic Baldwins, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.

You may also want to consider the book Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the title implies the book looks at the history and development of the diesel locomotives, covering 200 pages, from its earliest beginnings to the newest designs and models operated today. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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