Baldwin "VO-1000" Locomotives: Specs, Roster, Data Sheet

Last revised: December 31, 2024

The VO-1000 was Baldwin's most popular diesel locomotive. Including the later DS-4-4-1000, Baldwin, old more than 1,000 examples.

Most sales of the VO-1000 went to large Class I railroads. However, the diesel also found a market with the industries and smaller railroads looking to fill their power needs.

Today, the VO-1000 is the best preserved Baldwin diesel, as more than a half-dozen can be found at museums around the country. Additionally, B&O #412 owned by the United Railroad Historical Society is leased out to short line SMS Lines for revenue freight service.

Photos

Rock Island VO-1000 #760, circa 1955. Location not recorded. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

Baldwin released its VO-1000 while the less powerful VO-660 was in production. The designations behind Baldwin's switchers included 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.

Baldwin would later change this early classification system into a complex set of numbers, letters, and dashes before finally settling on the Standard Line designations beginning in 1950.

In any event, if Baldwin had ever shown as much interest in main line diesel locomotives (where the real money was to be made) as it did its early switcher designs the company would surely have survived much longer or perhaps still even be in business today.

Union Pacific VO-1000 'DS1200.' Location and date not recorded (likely 1950s). American-Rails.com collection.

The VO-1000 entered production three years after Baldwin's first VO-660 was completed (1936).

The more powerful variant was a bit longer than models being released by Alco and EMC at 48 feet. However, it carried the classic look that would come to define switcher models, an end cab that was wider and taller than the leading long hood to give crews maximum visibility.

St. Louis-San Francisco VO-1000 #232 was photographed here at the engine terminal in Memphis, Tennessee, circa 1967. The Frisco acquired a fairly large fleet of these switchers, 38 in all. Mac Owen photo. American-Rails.com collection.

The VO-1000 used a four-axle, B-B truck setup and featured internal components almost exclusively from Westinghouse (the two companies had worked well together for many years dating back to the late 19th century in collaborating to build electric locomotives).

While the model did not feature dynamic braking or turbocharging it did offer excellent tractive effort; 60,000 pounds starting and 34,000 pounds continuous (a trait not lost on railroads).

The switchers proved quite versatile in light duty service such as branch line and yard work. It also made them marketable for industrial applications where many were also purchased. When production ended on the VO-1000 just after World War II, nearly 550 had rolled out of Eddystone.

Designation

For historical reference, Baldwin technically never classified the model as the "VO-1000." As Brian Solomon notes in his book, "Baldwin Locomotives," this was another railfan designation coined later to identify these early switchers. In truth, Baldwin never gave its first production switcher line any name at all, only listing them by their horsepower rating.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Early Variants

Entered Production	12/2/1939 (Santa Fe #2201)
Years Produced	12/2/1939-3/1940
Baldwin Class	8-DE-1000/1 E:0-4-4-0 1000/1 E
Engine	VO, 6-Cylinder In-Line
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	1000
RPM	625
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	48'
Weight	240,000 Lbs.
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)	14' 6"
Width	10'
Trucks	B-B
Truck Type	Batz
Truck Wheelbase	8' 4"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	367 (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	486H2, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG30C, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	16:59
Tractive Effort Rating	33,600 Lbs at 8.3 MPH.
Top Speed	65 MPH

Later Variants

Entered Production	8/17/1940 (Reading #80)
Years Produced	8/17/1940-7/16/1946
Baldwin Class	0-4-4-0 1000/1 E
Engine	VO, 6-Cylinder In-Line
Engine Builder	De La Vergne
Horsepower	1000
RPM	625
Carbody Styling	Baldwin
Length (Between Coupler Pulling Faces)	48'
Weight	240,000 Lbs.
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)	14' 6"
Width	10'
Trucks	B-B
Truck Type	GSC Rigid Bolster, Drop-Side Equalizer
Truck Wheelbase	8'
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	362B (4), Westinghouse
Traction Generator	487H2, Westinghouse
Auxiliary Generator	YG30C, Westinghouse
Gear Ratio	16:76
Tractive Effort Rating	33,600 Lbs at 8.3 MPH.
Top Speed	45 MPH

Production Rosters

Total Built = 548

Early Variants

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2201	1	62302	12/2/1939
Missouri Pacific	9103**	2	62301	11/17/1939
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2202	3	62303	12/12/1939
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2203	4	62304	11/23/1939
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2204	5	62305	1/12/1940
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2205	6	62306	2/3/1940
Baldwin	307 (Became Spokane, Portland & Seattle #30)	7	62307	2/4/1940
Spokane, Portland & Seattle	30 (Ex-Demo #307)*	7	62307	11/14/1940 (Acquisition date)
Baldwin	332 (Became Spokane, Portland & Seattle #31)	8	62332	2/24/1940
Spokane, Portland & Seattle	31 (Ex-Demo #332)	8	62332	11/14/1940 (Acquisition date)
Baldwin	333 (Became Central of Georgia #22)	9	62333	3/1940
Central of Georgia	22	9	62333	10/19/1940 (Acquisition date)
Baldwin	334**	10	62334	3/1940

The above information pertains to the initial VO-1000's built, which included Baldwin serial numbers 1-10.

Beginning with serial #8 (demonstrator #332), Baldwin changed the classification system from 8-DE-1000/1 E to 0-4-4-0 1000/1 DE. This change occurred in August, 1939.

Baldwin's original classification system: 8-DE-1000/1 E

8 = Total number of wheels
DE = Diesel-Electric
1000/1 = One 1000 HP engine
E = 4 pairs of driving wheels

Baldwin's updated classification system: 0-4-4-0 1000/1 E

0-4-4-0 = Whyte Notation
1000/1 = One 1000 HP engine
E = 4 pairs of driving wheels

* Upon sale to the SP&S, this locomotive's Batz trucks were replaced with General Steel Castings Corporations' rigid bolster, drop-size equalizer trucks.

** Sold to the Minneapolis & St. Louis on July 24, 1940 and became M&StL #D340. It was traded to Baldwin for a new VO-1000 (serial #385) on November 17, 1944. Demonstrator #334 subsequently became Eddystone plant switcher #300.

Macon, Dublin & Savannah Railroad VO-1000 #1000 (built new for the company in 1942) basks in the sun outside the engine shop at Macon, Georgia on February 18, 1956. Two years later the MD&S was acquired by the Seaboard Air Line. Warren Calloway photo (colorized).

Later Variants

Owner	Road Number	Baldwin Serial Number	Construction Number	Completion Date
Reading	80	11	62402	8/17/1940
Reading	81	12	62403	9/2/1940
Union Railroad	500	13	62404	10/3/1940
Union Railroad	501	14	62405	10/3/1940
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1680	15	62406	10/31/1940
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1681	16	62407	11/9/1940
Patapsco & Back Rivers	70	17	62408	10/25/1940
Patapsco & Back Rivers	71	18	62409	12/26/1940
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	475	19	62410	1/10/1941
Iowa Ordnance Depot	1-120	20	62411	5/29/1941
Oliver Iron Mining Company	907	21	62419	7/26/1941
Oliver Iron Mining Company	908	22	62420	8/31/1941
Oliver Iron Mining Company	909	23	62421	8/30/1941
Northern Pacific	109	24	62503	6/13/1941
Northern Pacific	110	25	62504	6/28/1941
Patapsco & Back Rivers	72	26	62505	8/29/1941
Southern Pacific	1320	27	62506	7/6/1941
Southern Pacific	1321	28	62507	7/6/1941
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2206	29	62535	6/11/1941
Southern Pacific	1322	30	64198	7/18/1941
Southern Pacific	1323	31	64199	7/18/1941
Southern Pacific	1324	32	64200	7/21/1941
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	591	33	64201	8/2/1941
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	592	34	64202	8/5/1941
Union Railroad	502	35	64203	8/6/1941
Union Railroad	503	36	64204	8/8/1941
Union Railroad	504	37	64205	8/14/1941
Union Railroad	505	38	64206	8/22/1941
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	476	39	64207	9/5/1941
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	477	40	64208	9/16/1941
Seaboard Air Line	1400	41	64209	9/20/1941
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	55	42	64210	10/7/1941
Great Northern	132	43	64211	10/31/1941
Great Northern	133	44	64212	10/24/1941
Southern Railway	DS2205	45	64255	11/2/1941
Seaboard Air Line	1401	46	64256	11/2/1941
Seaboard Air Line	1402	47	64257	11/7/1941
St. Louis-San Francisco	200	48	64258	11/23/1941
St. Louis-San Francisco	201	49	64259	12/9/1941
St. Louis-San Francisco	202	50	64260	12/9/1941
St. Louis-San Francisco	203	51	64261	1/9/1942
St. Louis-San Francisco	204	52	64262	12/15/1941
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	593	53	64263	12/23/1941
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	594	54	64264	1/10/1941
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	595	55	64265	1/13/1942
Atlantic Coast Line	606	56	64266	1/2/1942
Atlantic Coast Line	607	57	64267	1/2/1942
Chicago Short Line	100	58	64268	1/23/1942
Southern Pacific	1325	59	64269	3/14/1942
Southern Pacific	1326	60	64270	3/14/1942
Southern Pacific	1327	61	64271	3/14/1942
Southern Pacific	1328	62	64272	3/14/1942
Southern Pacific	1329	63	64273	3/14/1942
Litchfield & Madison	100	64	64274	2/25/1942
Macon, Dublin & Savannah	1000	65	64275	2/20/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	910	66	64276	3/21/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	911	67	64277	3/25/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	912	68	64278	4/2/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	913	69	64279	4/8/1942
U.S. War Department	7453	70	64407	7/1/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	914	71	64408	7/30/1942
Oliver Iron Mining Company	915	72	64409	7/25/1942
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1000	73	64410	7/10/1942
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	205	74	64411	7/6/1942
Belt Railway of Chicago	401	75	64412	7/30/1942
U.S. War Department	7454	76	64413	7/26/1942
U.S. War Department	7455	77	64414	8/4/1942
Atlantic Coast Line	608	78	64415	8/10/1942
Patapsco & Back Rivers	73	79	64416	8/8/1942
Atlantic Coast Line	609	80	64417	8/20/1942
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	596	81	64418	8/22/1942
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal	44	82	64419	8/25/1942
U.S. War Department	7456	83	64420	8/27/1942
U.S. War Department	7457	84	64421	8/31/1942
U.S. Navy	5	85	64422	9/11/1942
U.S. Navy	6	86	64423	9/11/1942
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal	45	87	64424	10/3/1942
Wabash	300	88	64425	9/29/1942
Spokane, Portland & Seattle	32	89	64426	10/12/1942
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1001	90	64427	10/9/1942
Northern Pacific	111	91	64428	10/17/1942
Northern Pacific	112	92	64429	10/16/1942
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal	46	93	64430	10/26/1942
Reading	82	84	64431	10/18/1942
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2207	95	64432	11/7/1942
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	206	96	64433	11/1/1942
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1682	97	64434	11/11/1942
St. Louis-Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1002	98	64435	12/15/1942
U.S. War Department	7461	99	64436	12/5/1942
U.S. War Department	7462	100	64727	12/11/1942
U.S. War Department	7463	101	64728	12/18/1942
Phelps Dodge Corporation	9	102	64729	2/1/1943
Phelps Dodge Corporation	10	103	64730	2/3/1943
Kennecott Copper Corporation	801	104	64731	1/31/1943
U.S. Navy	10	105	64732	2/4/1943
U.S. Navy	1	106	64733	2/19/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2208	107	64734	2/7/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2209	108	64735	2/7/1943
Southern Pacific	1375	109	64736	2/18/1943
Southern Pacific	1376	110	64737	2/18/1943
U.S. Navy	7	111	64738	3/13/1943
U.S. Navy	8	112	64739	3/8/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2210	113	64740	2/8/1943
U.S. War Department	7126	114	64741	3/15/1943
U.S. War Department	7464	115	64742	3/18/1943
Kennecott Copper Corporation	803	116	64743	3/24/1943
U.S. War Department	7127	117	64744	3/31/1943
U.S. War Department	7128	118	64745	4/29/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	918	119	64746	4/23/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2211	120	64748	4/12/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2212	121	64749	4/13/1943
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1003	122	64750	4/19/1943
U.S. War Department	7129	123	64710	5/5/1943
U.S. War Department	7130	124	64711	5/18/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	919	125	64712	5/20/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2213	126	64713	5/10/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2214	127	64714	5/10/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2215	128	64715	5/13/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2216	129	64716	5/13/1943
Southern Pacific	1377	130	64717	5/21/1943
U.S. War Department	7137	131	64718	6/2/1943
U.S. War Department	7138	132	64719	6/15/1943
U.S. War Department	7466	133	64720	6/2/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	922	134	64721	6/13/1943
Reading	83	135	64722	5/28/1943
Reading	84	136	64723	5/29/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2217	137	64724	6/13/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2218	138	64725	6/13/1943
U.S. War Department	7139	139	64726	6/22/1943
U.S. War Department	7140	140	64727	7/3/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2219	141	64728	7/7/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2220	142	64729	7/7/1943
Reading	85	143	67730	6/28/1943
Reading	71	144	67731	6/29/1943
Reading	72	145	67732	6/30/1943
Reading	73	146	67733	6/30/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	923	147	67734	8/10/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	924	148	67735	8/10/1943
Oliver Iron Mining Company	925	149	67736	8/4/1943
U.S. War Department	2	150	67737	8/13/1943
U.S. War Department	7467	151	67738	8/18/1943
U.S. War Department	7143	152	67739	8/8/1943
Louisville & Nashville	2202	153	67740	8/5/1943
Louisville & Nashville	2203	154	67741	8/6/1943
Louisville & Nashville	2204	155	67742	8/10/1943
Louisville & Nashville	2205	156	67743	8/9/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2221	157	67744	8/11/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2222	159	67640	8/14/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2223	160	67641	8/13/1943
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1683	161	67642	8/23/1943
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1684	162	67643	8/23/1943
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	50	163	67644	8/31/1943
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	51	164	67645	8/31/1943
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	52	165	67646	9/7/1943
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	53	166	67647	9/7/1943
Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis	54	167	67648	9/7/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	413	168	67649	8/26/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	414	169	67650	8/27/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	415	170	67651	8/30/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	416	171	67652	8/30/1943
Central Of Georgia	26	172	67653	9/13/1943
Colorado & Wyoming	1107	173	67654	9/24/1943
Colorado & Wyoming	1108	174	67655	9/25/1943
Pittsburgh & West Virginia	30	175	67656	9/13/1943
Southern Pacific	1378	176	67657	9/27/1943
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1004	177	67658	9/30/1943
U.S. Navy	6	178	67659	10/4/1943
Western Maryland	128 (1st)	179	67660	9/24/1943
Western Maryland	129 (2nd)	180	67661	9/25/1943
Pennsylvania	5913	181	69662	9/23/1943
Pennsylvania	5914	182	69663	9/25/1943
Pennsylvania	5915	183	69664	9/25/1943
Pennsylvania	5916	184	69665	9/25/1943
Pennsylvania	5917	185	69666	10/4/1943
Atlantic Coast Line	616	186	69667	10/4/1943
Atlantic Coast Line	617	187	69668	10/9/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	207	188	69669	10/14/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	208	188	69670	10/15/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	209	190	69671	10/26/1943
Union Pacific	DS1200	191	69672	10/15/1943
	1005	192	69673	10/30/1943
Carbon County Railway	262-1	193	69773	11/10/1943
Carbon County Railway	262-2	194	69774	11/11/1943
Union Pacific	DS1201	195	69775	10/26/1943
Union Pacific	DS1202	196	69776	10/26/1943
Union Pacific	DS1203	197	69777	10/26/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9350	198	69778	11/5/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9351	199	69779	11/5/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	210	200	69780	11/18/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	211	201	69781	11/18/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	212	202	69782	11/20/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	213	203	69783	11/17/1943
Pennsylvania	5918	204	69784	11/3/1943
Great Northern	137	205	69785	11/12/1943
Western Maryland	130	206	69786	11/12/1943
Western Maryland	131	207	69787	11/13/1943
U.S. Navy	4	208	70102	4/25/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9352	209	70103	12/2/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9353	210	70104	12/2/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9354	211	70105	12/2/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9355	212	70106	12/2/1943
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific	760	213	70107	12/2/1943
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific	761	214	70108	12/2/1943
Great Northern	138	215	70109	12/6/1943
Reading	74	216	70110	11/23/1943
Reading	75	217	70111	11/24/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	417	218	70112	11/27/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	418	219	70113	11/30/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	419	220	70114	12/1/1943
Baltimore & Ohio	420	221	70115	12/1/1943
Colorado & Wyoming	1109	222	70116	12/29/1943
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal	47	223	70117	12/23/1943
Southern Pacific	1379	224	70118	1/23/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9356	225	70119	12/29/1943
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9357	226	70120	12/29/1943
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1685	227	70121	1/19/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	224	228	70122	12/31/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	225	229	70123	12/31/1943
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	226	230	70124	12/31/1943
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	214	231	70125	1/17/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	215	232	70126	1/15/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	216	233	70127	1/16/1944
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific	762	235	70129	1/13/1944
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific	763	236	70130	1/13/1944
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific	764	237	70131	1/13/1944
Canton Railroad	30	238	70132	1/22/1944
Canton Railroad	31	239	70133	1/23/1944
Reading	76	240	70134	1/25/1944
Reading	77	241	70135	1/25/1944
Reading	78	242	70136	1/24/1944
Reading	79	243	70137	1/27/1944
Reading	80	244	70138	1/27/1944
Northern Pacific	119	245	70139	2/18/1944
Northern Pacific	120	246	70140	2/17/1944
Northern Pacific	121	247	70141	2/21/1944
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific	1686	248	70142	2/14/1944
Southern Pacific	1380	249	70143	2/20/1944
Southern Pacific	1381	250	70144	2/18/1944
Southern Pacific	1382	251	70145	2/29/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2227	252	70146	2/18/1944
Union Pacific	DS1204	253	70147	2/25/1944
Union Pacific	DS1205	254	70148	2/25/1944
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW)	87	255	70149	3/6/1944
Western Maryland	132	256	70150	2/18/1944
Wabash	301	257	70151	3/4/1944
Wabash	302	258	70152	2/29/1944
Northern Pacific	122	259	70153	3/10/1944
Southern Pacific	1371	260	70154	3/7/1944
Southern Pacific	1372	261	70155	3/13/1944
Atlantic Coast Line	619	262	70156	3/15/1944
Atlantic Coast Line	621	263	70157	3/6/1944
Atlantic Coast Line	623	264	70158	3/5/1944
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1006	265	70159	3/10/1944
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico (MP)	9153	266	70160	3/20/1944
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico (MP)	9154	267	70161	3/21/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2228	268	70162	3/23/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2229	269	70163	3/24/1944
Reading	86	270	70164	3/11/1944
Reading	87	271	70165	3/13/1944
Reading	88	272	70166	3/13/1944
Reading	88	273	70167	3/13/1944
International-Great Northern (MP)	9150	273	70167	4/8/1944
International-Great Northern (MP)	9151	274	70168	4/9/1944
International-Great Northern (MP)	9152	275	70169	4/2/1944
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico (MP)	9155	276	70170	4/5/1944
Louisville & Nashville	2206	277	70171	4/3/1944
Louisville & Nashville	2207	278	70172	4/5/1944
Louisville & Nashville	2208	279	70173	4/6/1944
Central Of Georgia	27	280	70174	4/8/1944
Chicago Short Line	101	281	70175	4/23/1944
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1062	282	70176	4/4/1944
Northern Pacific	153	283	70842	5/2/1944
Lehigh Valley	135	284	70843	4/17/1944
Lehigh Valley	136	285	70844	4/17/1944
Lehigh Valley	137	286	70845	4/21/1944
Lehigh Valley	138	287	70846	4/21/1944
Lehigh Valley	139	288	70847	4/23/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2245	289	70848	5/3/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2246	290	70849	5/3/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2247	291	70850	5/4/1944
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1063	292	70851	4/28/1944
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1064	293	70852	7/31/1944
Southern Pacific	1373	294	70853	5/17/1944
Louisville & Nashville	2209	295	70854	5/8/1944
Louisville & Nashville	2210	296	70855	5/8/1944
U.S. War Department	ME-39-238	297	70856	5/27/1944
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific	1687	298	70857	5/15/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	421	299	70858	5/8/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	422	300	70859	5/8/1944
Northern Pacific	154	301	70860	6/7/1944
Northern Pacific	155	302	70861	6/2/1944
Southern Pacific	1374	303	70862	6/4/1944
Southern Pacific	1383	304	70863	6/4/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2230	305	70864	5/29/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2231	306	70865	6/6/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2232	307	70688	6/6/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2233	308	70867	6/5/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2234	309	70868	6/5/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	218	310	70869	6/16/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	219	311	70870	6/13/1944
U.S. War Department	7226	312	70871	6/10/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2235	313	70872	6/16/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2236	314	70873	6/16/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2237	315	70874	6/20/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2238	316	70875	6/20/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2239	317	70876	6/26/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2240	318	70877	6/25/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2241	319	70878	6/24/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	423	320	70879	6/21/1944
Southern Pacific	1384	321	70880	7/20/1944
Southern Pacific	1385	322	70881	7/20/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	220	323	70882	7/11/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	221	324	70883	7/11/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	478	325	70884	7/14/1944
U.S. War Department	7227	326	70885	7/3/1944
U.S. Navy	6	327	71886	7/31/1944
Northern Pacific	124	328	71926	8/2/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2242	329	71927	7/25/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2243	330	71928	7/29/1944
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2244	331	71929	7/29/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	424	332	71930	7/19/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	425	333	71931	7/20/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	426	334	71932	7/21/1944
Baltimore & Ohio	427	335	71933	7/24/1944
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1007	336	71934	8/12/1944
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1008	337	71935	8/10/1944
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1065	338	71936	7/31/1944
Central Railroad Of New Jersey	1066	339	71937	8/1/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	479	340	71938	8/8/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	480	341	71939	8/8/1944
U.S. Navy	8	342	71940	8/7/1944
Chicago & North Western	1024	343	71941	8/18/1944
Great Northern	139	344	71942	8/30/1944
Great Northern	140	345	71943	8/31/1944
Great Northern	141	346	71944	9/1/1944
Great Northern	142	347	71945	9/1/1944
Great Northern	143	348	71946	9/6/1944
Great Northern	144	349	71947	9/6/1944
Reading	55	350	71948	8/26/1944
Reading	56	351	71949	8/28/1944
Reading	57	352	71950	8/28/1944
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	222	353	71951	9/17/1944
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	597	354	71952	9/17/1944
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	598	355	71953	9/16/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	481	356	71954	9/28/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	482	357	71955	9/28/1944
Reading	58	358	71956	9/9/1944
Reading	59	359	71957	9/9/1944
New York Central	8600	360	71958	10/2/1944
New York Central	8601	361	71959	10/2/1944
New York Central	8602	362	71960	10/2/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	483	363	71961	10/10/1944
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	599	364	71962	10/24/1944
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	600	365	71963	10/24/1944
Terminal Railroad Association Of St. Louis	601	366	71964	10/24/1944
Western Railway Of Alabama	621	367	71965	10/6/1944
Western Railway Of Alabama	622	368	71966	10/6/1944
Western Railway Of Alabama	623	369	71967	10/6/1944
U.S. Navy	10	370	71968	10/7/1944
U.S. Navy	9	371	71969	10/7/1944
U.S. Navy	10	372	71970	10/27/1944
U.S. Navy	11	373	70290	12/4/1944
U.S. Navy	12	374	70291	12/8/1944
U.S. Navy	13	375	70292	12/11/1944
U.S. Navy	14	376	70293	12/12/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9358	377	70294	11/15/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9359	378	70295	11/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9360	379	70296	11/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9361	380	70297	11/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9362	381	70298	11/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9363	382	70299	11/12/1944
New York Central	8603	383	70300	11/3/1944
New York Central	8604	384	70301	11/3/1944
Minneapolis & St. Louis	D145	385	70302	11/17/1944
Belt Railway Of Chicago	402	386	70303	11/12/1944
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern	484	387	70304	11/1/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9364	388	70305	11/23/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9365	389	70306	12/7/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9366	390	70307	12/7/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9367	391	70308	12/7/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9368	392	70309	12/8/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9369	393	70310	12/12/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9370	394	70311	12/11/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9371	395	70312	12/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9372	396	70313	12/14/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9373	397	70314	12/21/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9374	398	70315	12/21/1944
Western Railway Of Alabama	624	399	70316	12/13/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9375	400	70317	12/21/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9376	401	70318	12/21/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9377	402	70319	12/22/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9378	403	71977	12/22/1944
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9379	404	71978	12/23/1944
Seaboard Air Line	1413	405	71979	12/27/1944
Seaboard Air Line	1414	406	71980	11/14/1945
Seaboard Air Line	1415	407	71981	12/29/1944
Seaboard Air Line	1416	408	71982td>1/1/1945
U.S. Navy	18	409	71983	2/28/1945
U.S. Navy	19	410	71984	3/5/1945
U.S. Navy	5	411	71985	2/21/1945
U.S. Navy	21	412	71986	2/21/1945
U.S. Navy	15	413	71987	2/19/1945
U.S. Navy	16	414	71988	2/17/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	428	415	71989	1/21/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	429	416	71990	1/24/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	430	417	71991	1/25/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	431	418	71426	1/27/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	432	419	71427	1/28/1945
U.S. Navy	13	420	71428	2/3/1945
U.S. Navy	14	421	71429	2/13/1945
U.S. Navy	19	422	71430	2/7/1945
Chicago Short Line	102	423	71729	2/17/1945
New York Central	8605	424	71730	2/23/1945
New York Central	8606	425	71731	2/25/1945
New York Central	8607	426	71732	2/27/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	433	427	71733	2/19/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	434	428	71734	2/23/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	435	429	71735	2/23/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	436	430	71736	2/26/1945
Baltimore & Ohio	437	431	71737	2/25/1945
U.S. Navy	1	432	71738	3/23/1945
U.S. Navy	2	433	71739	3/23/1945
U.S. War Department	V/800	434	71740	4/6/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1009	435	71741	3/13/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1010	436	71742	3/18/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	223	437	71743	3/22/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	224	438	71744	3/20/1945
U.S. War Department	V/801	439	71745	4/7/1945
Chicago & North Western	1037	440	71746	3/27/1945
Chicago & North Western	1038	441	71747	3/26/1945
U.S. Navy	3	442	71748	4/24/1945
U.S. Navy	4	443	71749	4/18/1945
Missouri Pacific	9117	444	71750	4/2/1945
Northern Pacific	159	445	71751	4/14/1945
Northern Pacific	160	446	71752	4/14/1945
U.S. Navy	22	447	71753	5/9/1945
U.S. Navy	23	448	71754	5/6/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	225	449	71755	4/13/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	226	450	71756	4/16/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	227	451	71757	4/23/1945
Detroit Terminal	101	452	71758	4/23/1945
Detroit Terminal	102	453	72005	4/23/1945
U.S. Navy	9	454	72006	5/10/1945
Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England	251	455	72007	4/21/1945
Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England	252	456	72008	4/21/1945
Chicago & North Western	1039	457	72009	5/4/1945
Chicago & North Western	1040	458	72010	5/12/1945
Northern Pacific	161	459	72011	5/21/1945
Missouri Pacific	9118	460	72012	5/11/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	228	461	72013	5/17/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1011	462	72014	5/16/1945
Chicago & North Western	1041	463	72015	5/25/1945
Chicago & North Western	1042	464	72016	5/21/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	229	465	72016	5/21/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1012	466	72018	6/5/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1013	467	72019	7/9/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1014	468	72020	7/9/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1015	469	72021	7/6/1945
Chicago & North Western	1043	470	72020	7/9/1945
Northern Pacific	162	471	72023	7/21/1945
Northern Pacific	163	472	72024	7/21/1945
Northern Pacific	164	473	72025	7/22/1945
Missouri Pacific	9119	474	72026	7/19/1945
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW)	88	475	72027	7/27/1945
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha (C&NW)	89	476	72028	7/27/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2248	477	72029	7/26/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2249	478	72030	7/26/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2250	479	72031	8/1/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2251	480	72032	8/4/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2252	481	72033	8/4/1945
U.S. Navy	12	482	72034	8/20/1945
U.S. Navy	13	483	72035	8/19/1945
Northern Pacific	165	484	72036	8/26/1945
Northern Pacific	166	485	72037	8/22/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1016	486	72038	8/25/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1017	487	72039	8/23/1945
U.S. Navy	37	488	72040	9/5/1945
U.S. Navy	38	489	72041	9/5/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2253	490	72042	9/1/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2254	491	72043	9/1/1945
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1688	492	72044	9/16/1945
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1689	493	72045	9/16/1945
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1690	494	72046	9/16/1945
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific (Milwaukee Road)	1691	495	72047	9/22/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2255	496	72048	9/10/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2256	497	72049	9/11/1945
U.S. Navy	35	498	71524	9/9/1945
U.S. Navy	36	499	71525	9/16/1945
Missouri Pacific	9198	500	71526	9/26/1945
Missouri Pacific	9199	501	71527	9/26/1945
Western Pacific	581	502	71528	10/14/1945
Western Pacific	582	503	71529	10/14/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2257	504	71530	10/4/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2258	505	71531	10/4/1945
Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe	2259	506	71532	10/2/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	230	507	71533	10/20/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	231	508	71534	10/26/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	232	509	71535	10/20/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	233	510	71536	10/17/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	234	511	71537	10/15/1945
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	235	512	71538	10/10/1945
Spokane, Portland & Seattle	33	513	71539	11/2/1945
Spokane, Portland & Seattle	34	514	71540	10/31/1945
Northern Pacific	167	515	71541	10/11/1945
Western Pacific	583	516	71542	11/7/1945
Western Pacific	584	517	71543	11/7/1945
Western Pacific	585	518	71544	11/7/1945
Northern Pacific	168	519	71545	10/26/1945
Northern Pacific	169	520	71546	11/12/1945
Northern Pacific	170	521	71547	11/13/1945
Northern Pacific	171	522	71548	11/23/1945
Northern Pacific	172	523	71549	11/23/1945
Northern Pacific	173	524	71550	11/24/1945
Northern Pacific	174	525	71551	11/24/1945
Pennsylvania	5919	526	71552	10/24/1945
Pennsylvania	5920	527	71553	10/25/1945
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie (Soo Line)	310	528	71554	11/8/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1018	529	71555	11/27/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1019	530	71556	12/5/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1020	531	71557	12/9/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1021	532	71558	12/13/1945
St. Louis Southwestern (Cotton Belt)	1022	533	71559	12/14/1945
American Steel & Wire	12	534	71560	1/8/1946
Chicago & North Western	1044	535	71561	12/26/1945
Chicago & North Western	1045	536	71562	12/27/1945
Chicago & North Western	1046	537	71563	1/3/1946
Chicago & North Western	1047	538	71564	1/3/1946
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico (MP)	9160	539	71565	5/5/1946
St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico (MP)	9161	540	71566	5/5/1946
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	236	541	71567	6/5/1946
St. Louis-San Francisco (Frisco)	237	542	71568	6/7/1946
Escanaba & Lake Superior	100	543	72227	6/13/1946
Tennessee Eastman Corporation	4	544	72228	6/7/1946
Wabash	303	545	72229	6/15/1946
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad	800	546	72230	6/25/1946
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad	801	547	72231	6/28/1946
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad	802	552	72789	7/15/1946
Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad	803	553	72790	7/16/1946

During the course of the VO-1000's production, Baldwin introduced several changes and improvements. These were differentiated by "Lots" according to the manufacturer. The VO-1000 was built in Lots "A" through "W".

Most updates were minor although two notables include the lowering of the cab roof from 14' 6" to 14' beginning with Northern Pacific #109 (Baldwin serial #24), which introduced the "B" Lot and several improvements that brought about the "G" Lot.

The former ("B" Lot") improved clearance restrictions under bridges and within tunnels while the latter ("G" Lot), that began with U.S. War Department #7129 saw the VO-1000 reequipped with Westinghouse's latest traction motors (model 362D), main generator (model 480A), auxiliary-exciter generator (model YG40), and updated gearing (14:68).

Santa Fe VO-1000 #2253 is seen here at work in Slaton, Texas, circa 1970. American-Rails.com collection.

Rebuilds

Over the years, many railroads rebuilt theirs with Electro-Motive prime movers; the move not only extended their service lives but also streamlined maintenance after Baldwin ended production in 1956.

The Great Northern, for example, completely salvaged their VO-1000's, turning them into transfer cabooses. The most interesting, however, was Santa Fe's retrofitting one its VO-1000s into what became known as the "Beep" (also known as the SWBLW or "SWitcher, Baldwin Locomotive Works).

The company repowered the locomotive with an EMD model 567C prime mover and had to construct a GP7-like hood (only shorter) to house the engine. The locomotive, though, kept its original Baldwin frame although it was given updated Blomberg B trucks.

It entered service in December, 1970 and even though Santa Fe determined the idea unsuccessful the "Beep" (or "Baldwin Geep") remained in service until it was donated to the Western America Railroad Museum of Barstow, California.

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.

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