Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500 explained

Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:Baldwin Locomotive Works
Builddate:1946–1952
Buildmodel:DRS-6-4-1500
Totalproduction:91
Aarwheels:A1A-A1A
Trucks:6-wheel
Wheeldiameter:42"
Minimumcurve:30 degrees
Length:58'
Weightondrivers:187,000 lbs
Locoweight:280,000 lbs
Primemover:608SC
Rpmrange Max:625
Enginetype:Four-stroke diesel engine
Generator:Westinghouse WE471
Tractionmotors:Westinghouse WE370
T/M Amps Cont:42,800 lbs at 10.5 mph with 15:63 gearing
Gear Ratio:68:15
Compressorcap:Westinghouse 3C2C
Maxspeed:65 mph
Poweroutput:1500hp

The Baldwin DRS-6-4-1500 was a diesel-electric locomotive that was produced by Baldwin Locomotive Works between 1946 and 1952. DRS-6-4-1500, one of Baldwin’s heavy road-switchers, was rated at 1,500 horsepower and powered with a 608SC engine and rode on two three-axle trucks with an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. As was the case with nearly all of Baldwin's diesel designs, Westinghouse supplied the company with all of the DRS-6-4-1500’s needed internal components such as traction motors, generators, and air equipment.

Overall, 91 units were sold in the United States and three North African countries over the course of six years. 29 units were sold domestically to seven railroads between 1946 and 1948, but the model did far better in the export market with 62 units purchased for Algerian, Moroccan, and Tunisian railways between 1946 and 1952. The model designed for foreign sale in Africa was listed as the DRS-6-4-1500E and was essentially the same as its domestic counterpart except for a different end cab setup. The DRS-6-4-1500 was replaced in Baldwin's catalog by the AS-416 in 1950, but it continued to be produced for export orders until 1952.

Original buyers

RailroadQuantityRoad Number(s)Date BuiltNotes
Baldwin Locomotive Works1946Sold to Union Pacific as 1250 in 1948.
1948Sold to Kennecott Copper as 901 in 1949, wrecked in 1952 and reconfigured to B-B trucks.
1946-1947601 was the first diesel road switcher sold domestically by Baldwin.
Chicago & North Western Railway1948Repowered by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division 1500 hp 16-567C.
1947-19481504, 1507, and 1508 were sold to Durham & Southern as 363, 364, and 365, respectively. The A1A-A1A trucks on 1507 and 1508 were replaced by B-B trucks.
1948
1948
Chemins de fer Algériens1946-1947
1947-1948
Chemins de fer du Maroc1946Renumbered as DA 301.
1947Renumbered as DA 302-305.
1949
1951
1952Renumbered as DA 310-312.
Chemins de fer Tunisiens1946Renumbered as DA 301-304 in 1950/52, sold to Chemins de fer du Maroc in 1958 and renumbered to DA 321-324 with power reduced to 750 hp.
Total 91

References