The Baldwin S-12 was an upgraded version of its predecessor, the S-8 although both models were cataloged at the same time. Similar in size and mechanics, save for increased horsepower, this final switcher model manufactured during the 1950s sold relatively well for the company as numerous railroads and private industries purchased the model. While the locomotive did have some complaints regarding reliability it was revered for its ability to out-pull nearly anything in its class (a Baldwin trademark thanks to their Westinghouse traction motors). The S-12 also saw the builder do away with the earlier complicated classification system and introducing one much simpler. Today, there are eight S-12's known to be preserved at museums while others are still hauling freight for short line carriers.
Baldwin may have struggled as a diesel manufacturer but its switchers and road-switchers boasted good looks and clean lines, topped by a centered head-light on the long hood sporting decorative beveling. From a functionality standpoint they sat high and offered crews relatively good visibility on a modest frame.
The Baldwin S-12 switcher began production in 1951 and by that time was technically a product of the Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation (BLH). BLH was formed through the merger of the Baldwin Locomotive Works and Lima-Hamilton in 1951 after the former came under the control of Westinghouse Electric Company, a long time supplier of internal components for Baldwin's diesels (the two companies had also collaborated on several electric locomotives dating back to the 19th century). Thanks to the S-12's increased horsepower it sold much better than its less powerful counterpart. For more information about the S-12 model please click here.
Baldwin's First Model, The Modestly Successful VO-660
The Company's Bestselling Diesel Model, The VO-1000
The Modestly Successful DS-4-4-660
The 750 Horsepower DS-4-4-750
Last Of The "DS" Line, The Popular DS-4-4-1000
A New Generation Of Switcher, The S-8
The Unique Transfer Model, The DT-6-6-2000
Baldwin's Late-Era Transfer Design, The Unsuccessful RT624
At 1,200 horsepower using Baldwin's latest prime mover, the 606A SC railroads found the locomotive quite versatile in several applications from yard and industrial work to revenue service on secondary and branch lines. The locomotive came equipped with standard four axle (B-B) trucks and could produce a hefty 72,000 pounds of starting tractive effort (34,000 pounds continuous). When production had ended in August, 1956 the model had been sold to several railroads like the Chicago & North Western, Jersey Central, Southern Pacific, New York Central, Southern, and the ever-loyal Pennsylvania. Additionally the military and industries purchased the locomotive including the Army, U.S. Steel, Armco Steel, American Smeting and Refining Company, Erie Mining, and others. In total, Baldwin sold 451 examples of the S-12.
The S-12 was certainly Baldwin's most popular switcher in terms of its horsepower rating and general reliability. This is a significant reason why the model continues to find use in short line service today, notably on shortline SMS Lines which owns eight; their heritage includes Michigan Limestone #116, Tennessee Valley Authority #200, U.S. Navy #65-00372, demonstrator #1200, SP #1547, Erie Mining #7241, Monongahela Railway #425, and Great Northern #27. While four of these locomotives are operational, four are also used as a parts source. Additionally, seven others can be found at museums; Patapsco & Back Rivers #345-#346, Erie Mining #403, NYC #9313, SP #1550, Texas & New Orleans (SP) #121, and Oliver Iron Mining #933. Finally, for more information about the S-12s and all Baldwin switcher models please refer to the chart below.
Owner | Road Number(s) | Quantity | Date Built |
---|---|---|---|
Akron & Barberton Belt Railroad | 27-28 | 2 | 1951-1952 |
American Smelting & Refining Company | 1954-1955 | 2 | 1952 |
Apache Railway | 600 | 1 | 1952 |
Armco Steel Corporation | 706 | 1 | 1955 |
Atlanta & West Point | 678 | 1 | 1951 |
Baldwin (Demo) | 1200-1201, 463-467 | 7 | 1953 |
Calumet & Hecla Railroad | 203 | 1 | 1951 |
Central of Georgia | 311-314 | 4 | 1953 |
Central Railroad Of New Jersey (CNJ) | 1053-1059 | 7 | 1951 |
Chicago & North Western | 1073-1076, 1106-1109, 1117-1121, 1126-1128 | 15 | 1951- 1954 |
Columbia-Geneva Steel Division (U.S. Steel) | 33-35 | 3 | 1956 |
Erie Railroad | 617-628 | 12 | 1951-1952 |
Erie Mining | 400-403 | 4 | 1955-1956 |
Fairless Works (U.S. Steel) | GE-1 - GE-8, GE-17, GE-18 | 10 | 1951-1952 |
Great Northern | 24-28 | 5 | 1953 |
International-Great Northern Railroad (MP) | 9230-9232 | 3 | 1952 |
Kansas City Southern | 1160-1163 | 4 | 1951 |
Lehigh Valley | 230-243 | 14 | 1950 |
McCloud River Railroad | 30-31 | 2 | 1953 |
Michicgan Limestone & Chemical Company | 116-117 | 2 | 1953 |
Milwaukee Road | 1905-1925 | 21 | 1950-1954 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (Katy) | 1201-1215 | 15 | 1951-1952 |
Missouri Pacific | 9200-9226 | 27 | 1951-1952 |
Monongahela Railway | 400-426 | 27 | 1953-1954 |
New Orleans Public Belt | 61-62 | 2 | 1955 |
New York Central | 9308-9328 | 21 | 1951-1952 |
Oliver Iron Mining Company | 933 | 1 | 1951 |
Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad | 335, 345-347 | 4 | 1951-1953 |
Pennsylvania | 8100-8104, 8732-8796, 8976-8993 | 88 | 1951-1954 |
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL) | 6017-6021, 6028-6033 | 11 | 1953- 1956 |
Rayonier, Inc. | 201-202 | 2 | 1956 |
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railroad (MP) | 9227-9229 | 3 | 1952 |
Seaboard Air Line | 1462-1465, 1476-1481 | 10 | 1952-1953 |
Sharon Steel Corporation | 1, 10 | 2 | 1951 |
Sierra Railroad | 40, 42 | 2 | 1955 |
Soo Line | 313-314 | 2 | 1952 |
Southern Pacific | 1442-1463, 1492-1513, 1539-1550 | 56 | 1951-1953 |
Southern Railway | 2290-2299 | 10 | 1952 |
Tennessee Coal & Iron Railroad | 1200-1207 | 8 | 1950-1951 |
Tennessee Valley Authority | 1-3, 200 | 4 | 1952-1954 |
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis (TRRA) | 1250-1253 | 4 | 1952 |
Texas & New Olreans (SP) | 105-107 | 3 | 1952 |
Union Terminal Railway Of Memphis (MP) | 9233-9239 | 7 | 1953 |
U.S. Air Force | 1841-1842 | 2 | 1952 |
U.S. Navy | 65-00292, 65-00293, 65-00315, 65-00365 - 650074, 65-00391 | 14 | 1951- 1953 |
Wabash Railroad | 305-309 | 10 | 1952-1953 |
For more information on Baldwin locomotives the book by the same name, a Brian Solomon title, provides an in-depth history of the company from its earliest days beginning in the 1930s to its final years constructing diesels during the mid-20th century. It 160 pages in length and, as with every Solomon book, offers a rich collection of large, sharp photos to enjoy. Another title of interest is Vintage Diesel Locomotives by noted author and historian Mike Schafer. This one has been out for several years now and is a paperback title but highlights several classic models from the major builders of the era such as Electro-Motive, Baldwin, and the American Locomotive Company.
Header Photo: Drew Jacksich
A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way. Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Explorer. It is an excellent resource with thousands of historic maps on file throughout the country. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page!
You will be hard pressed at finding a better online resource regarding diesel locomotives than Craig Rutherford's TheDieselShop.us. The website contains everything from historic (fallen flags) to contemporary (Class I's, regionals, short lines, and even some museums/tourist lines) rosters, locomotive production information, technical data, all notable models cataloged by the five major builders (American Locomotive, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Fairbanks-Morse, and Baldwin), and much more. A highly recommended database!
In 1998 a gentleman by the name of Andre Kristopans put together a web page highlighting virtually every unit every out-shopped by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. Alas, in 2013 the site closed by thankfully Don Strack rescued the data and transferred it over to his UtahRails.net site (another fine resource). If you are researching anything EMD related please visit this page first. The information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers.