Baldwin "DR-6-4-2000" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Data Sheet

Last revised: December 28, 2024

There were several variations of the DR-6-4-2000 during its construction run from the mid-1940s through the late 1940s.

In total, there were not many actual locomotives built although the design featured a wide range of carbodies including the "Baby Face" (Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, "Sharknose" (Pennsylvania), and "Dual Cab" (Central Railroad Of New Jersey).

The DR-6-4-2000 would be the very last passenger cab unit Baldwin offered.

The company was never very successful in that particular market although, as John Kirkland points out in his book, "The Diesel Builders: Volume Three (Baldwin Locomotive Works," it focused primarily on special orders for these locomotives.

In the freight arena, Baldwin had much more success, particularly with the later RF16 "Sharknose" variant.

The DR-6-4-2000 primarily resembled models being offered by EMD with comparable horsepower, length, and an A1A-A1A truck design.

The company continued to lack standardization until a new diesel line appeared in the early 1950's. Today, there are no DR-6-4-2000s preserved.

Photos

A Baldwin builder's photo featuring Jersey Central 0-6-6-0 1000/2 #2000 (sub-lettered for subsidiary Wharton & Northern) on November 19, 1946. These units, reclassified as the DRX-6-4-2000 following the completion of #2003, were acquired by the CNJ for commuter service. The double-ended design was to eliminate turning the locomotives at the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, New Jersey (Communipaw Terminal).

Overview

The original version of the DR-6-4-2000 can be traced back to January 10, 1945 when Baldwin unveiled its first passenger model demonstrator, #2000. It was later joined on March 28th of that year by a second demonstrator, #2001.

These locomotives, listed as Class 0-6-6-0 1000/2 DE1 and DE2, featured a pair of 1,000 horsepower model 8VO diesel engines for a total of 2,000 horsepower each (construction numbers 70320 and 70321).

They utilized an A1A-A1A truck setup (center axle unpowered) and featured Baldwin's ubiquitous "Baby Face" carbody design.

The locomotives featured 21:58 gearing, which enabled a continuous tractive effort of 28,500 pounds at 21.5 mph.

They toured extensively across the Northeast and Midwest before being sold to the National Railways of Mexico where their gearing was changed to 15:63 (and continuous tractive effort bumped up to 42,800 pounds at 14.3 mph).

The DR-6-4-2000 featured an upgraded prime mover (608NA) and a wide range of gearing available (featured in the table below).

The most unique variant were five double-ended design built for Central Railroad of New Jersey subsidiary Wharton & Northern. These were classed as the 0-6-6-0 1000/2 (early version) and later DRX-6-4-2000.

Externally the locomotives were the same length as the single-cab variants. In addition, they featured the same internal components.

The CNJ acquired the units primarily for commuter service and to eliminate turning the locomotives at its Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, New Jersey (Communipaw Terminal).

A Baldwin company photo showcasing one of its two demonstrator DR-6-4-2000's, #2001, in late March of 1945, which utilized the 608NA 8-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine. This unit, and sister #2000, were eventually acquired by Mexico's Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (NdeM).

The final "Baby Face" version of the DR-6-4-2000 also featured the 606NA prime mover and only a few were built in the second half of 1948:

Two for the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio

Three for Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México (two of which were original demonstrators)

A Baldwin company photo of brand new Gulf, Mobile & Ohio DR-6-4-2000 #280 taken in 1947, wearing the earlier "Baby Face" carbody. The GM&O owned just two of these locomotives, #280-281.

The absolute final version of the Baldwin DR-6-4-2000 was shrouded in the famous "Sharknose" carbody. Its only difference from the previous version was that it featured Baldwin's latest 606SC prime mover.

This final version was built for Baldwin's unwavering supporter, the Pennsylvania Railroad, which purchased 18 'A' units and 9 'B' units.

Internal components for all of the DR-6-4-2000 variants were outsourced to Westinghouse Electric.

Pennsylvania DR-6-4-2000 #5770 and Jersey Central "Train Master" #2412 work suburban service on the New York & Long Branch at South Amboy, New Jersey, circa 1958. Meyer Pearlman photo. American-Rails.com collection.

The classification system Baldwin used for its early diesel designs was a mess to try and decode but once it is explained is fairly simple to understand.

The system is based from the Whyte Notation that classified steam locomotives. As an example using the DR-6-4-2000:

"DR" referred to Diesel Road unit
The first 6 regarded six total axles
The second number, 4, was the designation of four powered traction motors
2,000 was the horsepower rating

Many times the classification would be shortened for simplicity such as DR-6-4-20.

Total Built (All Variants): 30

Gearing Options

Gear Ratio	Maximum Speed	Continuous Tractive Effort (Lbs)	Continuous TE Rating Speed
15:63	65	42,800	14.5
19:60	82	32,200	19.5
21:58	93.5	28,100	22.0
22:57	100	26,300	23.5
23:56	106	24,800	25.0
25:54	120	22,000	28.5

Data Sheets and Specifications

0-6-6-0 1000/2 (Double-Ended)

Data Sheet

Entered Production	11/19/1946 (Central Railroad Of New Jersey #2000)
Years Produced	11/19/1946 - 2/14/1947
Baldwin Class	0-6-6-0 1000/2
Engine	608NA
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	2000
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	80'
Weight	375,000 Lbs
Trucks	A1A-A1A
Truck Type	GSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase	15' 6"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	480D, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG40E, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	21:58
Tractive Effort Rating	28,100 Lbs at 22.0 MPH
Top Speed	93.5 MPH

Production Roster (Double-Ended)

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	2000	NA6	73060	11/19/1946
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	2001	NA7	73061	12/9/1946
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	2002	NA8	73062	2/14/1947

Production Roster (Single Cab)

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Baldwin Locomotive Works	2000 (1st)*	DE1	73020	1/10/1945
Baldwin Locomotive Works	2001	DE2	73021	3/28/1945
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	100	NA5	72831	5/13/1946
National Railways Of Mexico	6002	DE9	72671	8/30/1946

Lots DE3 and DE4 were left vacant.

* Sold to National Railways of Mexico as #6000.

** Sold to National Railways of Mexico as #6001.

DR-6-4-2000 "Baby Face"

Data Sheet

Entered Production	1/4/1947 (Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #280)
Years Produced	1/4/1947 - 2/12/1947
Baldwin Class	0-6-6-0 1000/2
Engine	608NA
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	2000
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	80'
Weight	375,000 Lbs
Trucks	A1A-A1A
Truck Type	GSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase	15' 6"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	480D, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG40D, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	21:58
Tractive Effort Rating	28,100 Lbs at 22.0 MPH
Top Speed	93.5 MPH

Production Roster

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio	280	1	71580	1/4/1947
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio	281	1	71581	2/12/1947

DRX-6-4-2000 (CNJ)

Data Sheet

Entered Production	8/6/1948 (Central Railroad Of New Jersey #2003)
Years Produced	8/6/1948 - 9/16/1948
Baldwin Class	DRX-6-4-1000/2
Engine	608NA
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	2000
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	80'
Weight	375,000 Lbs
Trucks	A1A-A1A
Truck Type	GSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase	15' 6"
Wheel Size	42"
Traction Motors	370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	480F, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG42A, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	15:63
Tractive Effort Rating	42,800 Lbs at 14.5 MPH
Top Speed	65 MPH

Production Roster

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Central Railroad of New Jersey	2003	1	73750	8/6/1948
Central Railroad of New Jersey	2004	2	73751	9/5/1948
Central Railroad of New Jersey	2005	3	73752	9/16/1948

The DRX-6-4-2000 double-ended design differed only from its earlier variant (0-6-6-0 1000/2) in that the control voltage was reduced from 125 volts to 75 volts, which conformed with AAR (Association Of American Railroads) standards.

This change subsequently resulted in main and auxiliary generators needing changed as well. The new variant also included 42 inch wheels to reduce slippage.

DR-6-4-2000 "Shark Nose"

Data Sheet

Entered Production	6/17/1948 (Pennsylvania #5770A-5771A [As] and #5770B [B])
Years Produced	6/17/1948 - 12/15/1948
Baldwin Class	DR-6-4-1000/2
Engine	606SC
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	2000
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	80'
Weight	375,000 Lbs
Trucks	A1A-A1A
Truck Type	GSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase	15' 6"
Wheel Size	42"
Traction Motors	370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	471A, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG42A, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	22:57
Tractive Effort Rating	26,300 Lbs at 23.5 MPH
Top Speed	100 MPH

Production Roster

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number (A Unit)	Baldwin Serial Number (B Unit)	Construction Number	Completion Date
Pennsylvania	5770	1	-	73505	6/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5770B	-	1	73523	6/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5771	2	-	73506	6/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5772	3	-	73507	8/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5772B	-	2	73524	8/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5773	4	-	73508	8/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5774	5	-	73509	9/24/1948
Pennsylvania	5774B	-	3	73525	9/24/1948
Pennsylvania	5775	6	-	73510	9/24/1948
Pennsylvania	5776	7	-	73511	10/20/1948
Pennsylvania	5776B	-	4	73526	10/20/1948
Pennsylvania	5777	8	-	73512	10/20/1948
Pennsylvania	5778	9	-	73513	10/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5778B	-	5	73527	10/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5779	10	-	73514	10/28/1948
Pennsylvania	5780	11	-	73515	10/30/1948
Pennsylvania	5780B	-	6	73528	10/30/1948
Pennsylvania	5781	12	-	73516	10/30/1948
Pennsylvania	5782	13	-	73517	11/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5782B	-	7	73529	11/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5783	14	-	73518	11/17/1948
Pennsylvania	5784	15	-	73519	11/26/1948
Pennsylvania	5784B	-	8	73530	11/26/1948
Pennsylvania	5785	16	-	73520	11/26/1948
Pennsylvania	5786	17	-	73521	12/15/1948
Pennsylvania	5786B	-	9	73531	12/15/1948
Pennsylvania	5787	18	-	73521	12/15/1948

Sources

Kirkland, John F. Diesel Builders, The: Volume Three, Baldwin Locomotive Works. Pasadena: Interurban Press, 1994.

Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

Solomon, Brian. Baldwin Locomotives. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2009.

Pennsylvania DR-6-4-2000 #5780 works commuter service on the New York & Long Branch at South Amboy, New Jersey in April, 1964. Author's collection.

Given the fact that by the late 1940s EMD simply had the market cornered on passenger models, and diesel locomotives in general, most of the railroads that ultimately purchased the DR-6-4-2000 variants did not use them long in revenue service.

The locomotives just were not as reliable and easy to maintain as EMDs and most were traded in or sold by the 1960s.