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Baldwin's "DS-4-4-660": Its Light, 660 HP Switcher

Last revised: August 26, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The DS-4-4-660 was Baldwin's replacement for its earlier VO660 design. The two models were very similar with the primary difference being the newer version's updated prime mover.

It featured the 606NA (Normally Aspirated) in place of the earlier, VO variant.  The six and eight-cylinder versions of this power plant were used extensively in Baldwin's diesel line throughout the 1940's.  

Today, at least three DS-4-4-660s are known to be preserved; Morrisey Femie & Michel #1 at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Sloss-Sheffield Steel #30 at the Sloss Furnace Museum, and Chesapeake Western #662 at the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Photos

Penn Central DS-4-4-660 #7862, still wearing its Pennsylvania heritage, is tied down at Little Creek, Virginia on September 20, 1969. This was the furthest south the PRR network reached. Roger Puta photo.

Overview

The DS-4-4-660 debuted in 1946, right after the builder canceled its VO660 line. Using a model 606 NA prime mover developed specifically by Baldwin (although the engine was essentially an advancement of the engines produced by I.P. Morris and De La Vergne) the DS-4-4-660 featured the standard four-axle, B-B truck setup.

As with almost all of its diesel models, Baldwin contracted with Westinghouse to supply internal components such as traction motors, generators and air equipment (brakes and compressors).

Additionally, the DS-4-4-660 offered tractive effort ratings virtually the same to the earlier VO660.

After Baldwin began manufacturing its own prime mover it reclassified its diesel models according to their type (such as road switcher, switcher, transfer, etc.) total axles, powered axles, and finally horsepower.

So, in the case of the DS-4-4-660 model:

  • The DR referred to Diesel Road unit.

  • The first number, 4, was the designation of four overall axles.

  • The second number, 4, was the designation of four powered traction motors.

  • 660 stood for the horsepower rating.

As the company began to release future designs they further shortened and simplified the classification system.

Reception

This "updated" version of the original VO660 sold relatively well, at least for a Baldwin product, with railroads as more than 280 were built through May of 1949.

The model would probably have sold better but with Baldwin already offering the more powerful DS-4-4-1000 design most railroads preferred it instead.  


Data Sheet and Specifications

The transition from the model VO-660 to the DS-4-4-660, and all "DS" series switchers, was not necessarily a clear-cut break in differing models. 

As John Kirkland explains in "The Diesel Builders: Volume Three," Baldwin was attempting to hurry development on its new, stand-alone diesel engine during World War II.

With the War Production Board's blessing it was able to carry out research and development, eventually unveiling its 600-series engine. 

This new prime mover was an update to De La Vergne's trouble-prone VO variants.  The latter had caused railroads to lose faith in Baldwin's ability to catalog a rugged and reliable locomotive in the diesel era

After considering laboratory testing, and a few 600-series engines placed in switchers originally out-shopped with VO engines, American Cyanamid Company #13 became the first stand-alone unit manufactured with a 600-series prime mover.

Early Variants

Entered Production6/11/1946 (American Cyanamid Company #13)
Years Produced6/11/1946-1/2/1948
Baldwin ClassDS-4-4-660
Engine606NA, 6-Cylinder In-Line
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower660
RPM625
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)48'
Weight200,000 Lbs
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)14'
Width10'
TrucksB-B
Truck TypeGSC Rigid Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer
Truck Wheelbase8'
Wheel Size40"
Traction Motors362D (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator480D, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG40D, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio16:76
Tractive Effort Rating33,600 Lbs at 8.3 MPH.
Top Speed45 MPH

Later Variants

Entered Production3/4/1946 (Pennsylvania #5957)
Years Produced3/4/1946-5/24/1949
Baldwin ClassDS-4-4-660
Engine606NA, 6-Cylinder In-Line
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower660
RPM625
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)48'
Weight200,000 Lbs
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)14'
Width10'
TrucksB-B
Truck TypeGSC Rigid Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer
Truck Wheelbase8'
Wheel Size40"
Traction Motors362D (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator480F, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG42A, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio16:76
Tractive Effort Rating33,600 Lbs at 8.3 MPH.
Top Speed45 MPH

Production Rosters

Total Built = 139

Early Variants

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
American Cyanamid Company13145728306/11/1946
Patapsco & Back Rivers3061467303410/11/1946
Patapsco & Back Rivers3071477303510/13/1946
Patapsco & Back Rivers3081487303611/11/1946
Patapsco & Back Rivers3091497303711/13/1946
New Orleans Public Belt441507303811/18/1946
New Orleans Public Belt451517303911/12/1946
New Orleans Public Belt461527304012/5/1946
American Rolling Mill Company10011537304110/26/1946
Crows Nest Pass Coal Company11547304211/24/1946
Erie Railroad3811557304311/10/1946
Erie Railroad3821567304411/23/1946
Chesapeake Western6611577304512/2/1946
Chesapeake Western6621587335912/12/1946
Chesapeake Western6631597336012/14/1946
Norfolk Southern (Original)661160733611/3/1947
Norfolk Southern (Original)662161733621/30/1947
Wabash201162733633/18/1947
Wabash201163733644/15/1947
Norfolk Southern (Original)663164733655/5/1947
Erie Railroad3831657336611/10/1947
Escanaba & Lake Superior1011667336712/13/1947
Georgia Northern172167733681/2/1948

Later Variants

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
Pennsylvania5957168736183/4/1948
Pennsylvania5958169736193/6/1948
Pennsylvania5959170736203/13/1948
Pennsylvania5960171736213/13/1948
Pennsylvania5961172736223/13/1948
Pennsylvania5962173736237/15/1948
Pennsylvania5963174736243/17/1948
Pennsylvania5964175736254/23/1948
Pennsylvania5965176736264/29/1948
Pennsylvania5966177736275/1/1948
Long Island Rail Road409178736285/4/1948
Long Island Rail Road410179736295/7/1948
Long Island Rail Road411180736305/7/1948
Long Island Rail Road412181736315/12/1948
Pennsylvania9110182736327/31/1948
Pennsylvania9111183736338/4/1948
Pennsylvania9112184736348/4/1948
Pennsylvania9113185736358/8/1948
Pennsylvania9114186736368/12/1948
Pennsylvania9115187736378/12/1948
Pennsylvania9117188736388/14/1948
Pennsylvania9118189736398/15/1948
Pennsylvania9119190736408/21/1948
Pennsylvania9116191736418/13/1948
Pennsylvania9120192736428/23/1948
Pennsylvania9121193738038/18/1948
Wyandotte SouthernD100194738049/1/1948
Pennsylvania92101957380511/20/1948
Pennsylvania92111967380611/28/1948
Pennsylvania92121977380711/28/1948
Pennsylvania92131987380811/24/1948
Pennsylvania92141997380911/27/1948
Pennsylvania92152007381011/27/1948
Pennsylvania92162017381112/1/1948
Pennsylvania92172027381212/1/1948
Pennsylvania92182037381312/2/1948
Pennsylvania92192047381412/3/1948
Pennsylvania92202057381512/7/1948
Pennsylvania92212067381612/9/1948
Pennsylvania92222077381712/4/1948
Pennsylvania9223208738181/7/1949
Pennsylvania9224209738191/6/1949
Pennsylvania9225210738201/6/1949
Pennsylvania9226211738211/13/1949
Pennsylvania9227212738221/13/1949
Pennsylvania9228213738231/22/1949
Pennsylvania9229214738241/18/1949
Pennsylvania9230215738251/18/1949
Pennsylvania9231216738262/1/1949
Pennsylvania9232217738272/2/1949
Pennsylvania9233218738892/18/1949
Pennsylvania9234219738902/21/1949
Pennsylvania9235220738912/1/1949
Pennsylvania9236221738922/13/1949
Sloss-Sheffield Steel30222738939/23/1948
Wyandotte Terminal104223738941/3/1949
New Orleans Public Belt47224738952/23/1949
New Orleans Public Belt48225738962/24/1949
New Orleans Public Belt49226738972/25/1949
Erie Railroad384227738982/11/1949
Erie Railroad385228738992/25/1949
Tennessee Valley Authority100229739002/20/1949
Chicago & North Western1259230739012/20/1949
Chicago & North Western1260231739023/1/1949
Chicago & North Western1261232739033/1/1949
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW)71233739043/11/1949
Pennsylvania9000234739053/17/1949
Pennsylvania9001235739063/16/1949
Pennsylvania9002236739073/17/1949
Pennsylvania9003237739083/17/1949
Pennsylvania9004238739093/17/1949
Pennsylvania9005239739103/17/1949
Pennsylvania9006240739113/25/1949
Pennsylvania9007241739124/5/1949
Pennsylvania9008242739133/25/1949
Pennsylvania9009243742363/30/1949
Pennsylvania9010244742373/26/1949
Pennsylvania9011245742384/20/1949
Pennsylvania9012246742394/22/1949
Pennsylvania9013247742404/22/1949
Pennsylvania9014248742414/24/1949
Pennsylvania9015249742424/24/1949
Pennsylvania9016250742434/25/1949
Pennsylvania9017251742444/24/1949
Pennsylvania9018252742454/24/1949
Pennsylvania9019253742465/4/1949
Pennsylvania9020254742475/3/1949
Pennsylvania9021255742485/2/1949
Pennsylvania9022256742495/5/1949
Pennsylvania9023257742505/5/1949
Pennsylvania9024258742515/4/1949
Pennsylvania9025259742525/4/1949
Pennsylvania9026260742535/4/1949
Pennsylvania9027261742545/7/1949
Pennsylvania9028262742555/7/1949
Pennsylvania9029263742565/16/1949
Pennsylvania9030264744105/11/1949
Pennsylvania9031265744115/14/1949
Pennsylvania9032266744125/16/1949
Pennsylvania9033267744135/10/1949
Pennsylvania9034268744145/11/1949
Pennsylvania9035269744155/11/1949
Pennsylvania9036270744165/12/1949
Pennsylvania9037271744175/12/1949
Pennsylvania9038272744185/13/1949
Pennsylvania9039273744195/13/1949
Pennsylvania9040274744205/14/1949
Pennsylvania9041275744215/17/1949
Pennsylvania9042276744225/17/1949
Pennsylvania9043277744235/18/1949
Pennsylvania9044278744245/25/1949
Pennsylvania9045279744255/25/1949
Pennsylvania9046280744265/25/1949
Pennsylvania9047281744275/31/1949
Pennsylvania9048282744285/25/1949
Pennsylvania9049283744295/24/1949

Sources

  • Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
  • 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.

The quality Baldwin offered in its DS-4-4-660 helped it sell as many units as it did, along with its ability to pull just about anything.

At 48 feet in length, the same size as its earlier counterpart, also made it an attractive locomotive for industries with companies like Armco Steel, American Cyanamid, Morrissy Fernie & Michel, and others purchasing at least one.

Production on the locomotive ended in May, 1949 as the model was replaced by the slightly more powerful DS-4-4-750.  

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