1. Home
  2.  ›
  3. Diesel Locomotives
  4.  ›
  5. DR-6-4-2000

Baldwin "DR-6-4-2000" Locomotives

Last revised: June 1, 2023

By: Adam Burns

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)

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
15:636542,80014.5
19:608232,20019.5
21:5893.528,10022.0
22:5710026,30023.5
23:5610624,80025.0
25:5412022,00028.5

Data Sheets and Specifications

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

Data Sheet

Entered Production11/19/1946 (Central Railroad Of New Jersey #2000)
Years Produced11/19/1946 - 2/14/1947
Baldwin Class0-6-6-0 1000/2
Engine608NA
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower2000
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)80'
Weight375,000 Lbs
TrucksA1A-A1A
Truck TypeGSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase15' 6"
Wheel Size40"
Traction Motors370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator480D, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG40E, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio21:58
Tractive Effort Rating28,100 Lbs at 22.0 MPH
Top Speed93.5 MPH

Production Roster (Double-Ended)

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
Central Railroad Of New Jersey2000NA67306011/19/1946
Central Railroad Of New Jersey2001NA77306112/9/1946
Central Railroad Of New Jersey2002NA8730622/14/1947

Production Roster (Single Cab)

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
Baldwin Locomotive Works2000 (1st)*DE1730201/10/1945
Baldwin Locomotive Works2001DE2730213/28/1945
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern100NA5728315/13/1946
National Railways Of Mexico6002DE9726718/30/1946

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 Production1/4/1947 (Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #280)
Years Produced1/4/1947 - 2/12/1947
Baldwin Class0-6-6-0 1000/2
Engine608NA
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower2000
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)80'
Weight375,000 Lbs
TrucksA1A-A1A
Truck TypeGSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase15' 6"
Wheel Size40"
Traction Motors370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator480D, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG40D, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio21:58
Tractive Effort Rating28,100 Lbs at 22.0 MPH
Top Speed93.5 MPH

Production Roster

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio2801715801/4/1947
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio2811715812/12/1947

DRX-6-4-2000 (CNJ)

Data Sheet

Entered Production8/6/1948 (Central Railroad Of New Jersey #2003)
Years Produced8/6/1948 - 9/16/1948
Baldwin ClassDRX-6-4-1000/2
Engine608NA
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower2000
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)80'
Weight375,000 Lbs
TrucksA1A-A1A
Truck TypeGSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase15' 6"
Wheel Size42"
Traction Motors370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator480F, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG42A, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio15:63
Tractive Effort Rating42,800 Lbs at 14.5 MPH
Top Speed65 MPH

Production Roster

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number Construction Number Completion Date
Central Railroad of New Jersey20031737508/6/1948
Central Railroad of New Jersey20042737519/5/1948
Central Railroad of New Jersey20053737529/16/1948

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 Production6/17/1948 (Pennsylvania #5770A-5771A [As] and #5770B [B])
Years Produced6/17/1948 - 12/15/1948
Baldwin ClassDR-6-4-1000/2
Engine606SC
Engine BuilderDe La Vergne
Horsepower2000
Carbody StylingBaldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)80'
Weight375,000 Lbs
TrucksA1A-A1A
Truck TypeGSC Swing Bolster, Drop Side Equalizers
Truck Wheelbase15' 6"
Wheel Size42"
Traction Motors370F (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator471A, Westinghouse
Auxiliary GeneratorYG42A, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio22:57
Tractive Effort Rating26,300 Lbs at 23.5 MPH
Top Speed100 MPH

Production Roster

Owner Road Number Baldwin Serial Number (A Unit) Baldwin Serial Number (B Unit) Construction Number Completion Date
Pennsylvania57701
-
735056/17/1948
Pennsylvania5770B
-
1735236/17/1948
Pennsylvania57712
-
735066/17/1948
Pennsylvania57723
-
735078/28/1948
Pennsylvania5772B
-
2735248/28/1948
Pennsylvania57734
-
735088/28/1948
Pennsylvania57745
-
735099/24/1948
Pennsylvania5774B
-
3735259/24/1948
Pennsylvania57756
-
735109/24/1948
Pennsylvania57767
-
7351110/20/1948
Pennsylvania5776B
-
47352610/20/1948
Pennsylvania57778
-
7351210/20/1948
Pennsylvania57789
-
7351310/28/1948
Pennsylvania5778B
-
57352710/28/1948
Pennsylvania577910
-
7351410/28/1948
Pennsylvania578011
-
7351510/30/1948
Pennsylvania5780B
-
67352810/30/1948
Pennsylvania578112
-
7351610/30/1948
Pennsylvania578213
-
7351711/17/1948
Pennsylvania5782B
-
77352911/17/1948
Pennsylvania578314
-
7351811/17/1948
Pennsylvania578415
-
7351911/26/1948
Pennsylvania5784B
-
87353011/26/1948
Pennsylvania578516
-
7352011/26/1948
Pennsylvania578617
-
7352112/15/1948
Pennsylvania5786B
-
97353112/15/1948
Pennsylvania578718
-
7352112/15/1948

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.  


SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!