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The Baldwin VO1000 and VO660 Diesel Locomotive Switchers

While Baldwin Locomotive Works’ most popular diesel-electrics were its VO1000 and VO660 switchers, the builder is by far best known for its steam locomotives and through the 1940s built some of the best-known and highest quality steamers to ever roam the rails along with its competitors the American Locomotive Company (Alco) and Lima Locomotive Works (Lima).

However, beginning in the mid-1930s the steam locomotive began to receive competition from a new form of motive power, diesel-electrics. Unable to see the advantages of steam over diesel Baldwin, like Alco and Lima, did not spend heavily on research and development of diesels, which was one reason for all three’s eventual exit from the locomotive market (similarly they never saw diesels as an advantageous main line locomotive over steam and merely regarded it to yard and light train duties).

Of the “big three” steam locomotive builders Lima was by far the weakest in terms of the transition to diesel locomotive development. So weak was the builder that it only built a handful of switchers and road switchers, which totaled less than 200 units. This was also partly because the company was only around during the early years of diesel production and all but entirely missed the “booming” years following World War II when it was merged into Baldwin in 1950 (and a year later its diesel line was completely discontinued). Interestingly, there are a few Limas still around, all of which are relegated to museums. So, if you get a chance, be sure and catch these rare beasts in action!

While a bankruptcy in the 1930s would greatly hurt the Baldwin's diesel development it did begin building diesel switchers and light engines by the late 1930s. Interestingly, these early switchers would be the company’s most successful line of any model they produced, with several hundred built.

One of these popular models was the VO1000 and VO660 switchers, which debuted in 1939. The designations behind these units were engine type (the VO was a diesel engine built by De La Vergne who supplied many prime movers for Baldwin over the years) and horsepower.

These first VO1000 and VO660 switchers had typical design features like many similar models offered by Alco and the Electro-Motive Corporation (EMC). The units were usually offered with B-B truck arrangements and featured a cab on one end followed by a long hood, which housed the prime mover and other critical components. They were quite versatile in light duty service such as branchline and yard work, which is where most railroads employed them and when production ended just after WWII nearly 700 were built, which would all but equal Baldwin's totals of later cab units and road switchers combined.

Not surprisingly because of the many VO1000s and VO660s built, combined, they make up one of the largest numbers of Baldwin models still preserved today, which can usually be found at museums or tourist lines, some even still operational.

For more information on the Baldwin VO1000 and VO660 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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