| Ingalls 4-S | |
| Powertype: | Diesel-electric |
| Builder: | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Serialnumber: | 1501 |
| Builddate: | March 1946 |
| Totalproduction: | 1 |
| Aarwheels: | B-B |
| Locoweight: | 2720001NaN1 |
| Body: | 56 ft 6 in |
| Width: | 10 ft 0 in |
| Height: | 15 ft 0 in |
| Fuelcap: | 1000usgal |
| Lubecap: | 150usgal |
| Coolantcap: | 280usgal |
| Sandcap: | 28 cubic ft |
| Primemover: | Superior Engines & Compressors 65LX8 |
| Rpmrange Max: | 660 |
| Aspiration: | Turbocharged |
| Generator: | GE GT581 |
| Tractionmotors: | GE 752 (4) |
| Cylindercount: | 8 |
| Cylindersize: | 12.5x |
| Gear Ratio: | 15:63 |
| Maxspeed: | 650NaN0 |
| Poweroutput: | 1650hp |
| T/E Starting: | 720002NaN2 |
| T/E Continuous: | 428002NaN2 |
| Operator: | Gulf, Mobile & Ohio |
| Fleetnumbers: | 1900 |
| Retiredate: | 1966 |
| Disposition: | Scrapped in 1967 |
The Ingalls 4-S was an experimental American locomotive built by Ingalls Shipbuilding immediately after World War II. Intended as the first of many Ingalls-built locomotives, it was the only one the company built. It served on the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad (GM&O) until it was retired in 1966; it was scrapped the following year.
At the end of World War II, Ingalls Shipbuilding, based in Pascagoula, Mississippi, developed plans for a line of diesel-electric locomotives to serve the expected post-war market. Five models were projected; the first, and as it proved only, to be built was a prototype of the largest, the model 4-S.[1]
A single demonstrator was planned in December 1945, and built in March 1946, numbered #1500. The design of the locomotive was considered advanced, including a "turret cab" arrangement, which improved the crew's vision.[2] The prime mover selected for the locomotive was the inline-8 65LX8, based on a marine diesel engine built by Superior Engines & Compressors; and modified for railroad use by Cooper-Bessemer, and Elliott Company providing the turbocharger. The 4-S produced 1650sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3, of which 1510sigfig=3NaNsigfig=3 was available for the production of tractive effort by the locomotive's electric drive, but marketed as 1,500 horsepower.[1] Provision was made for the installation of a steam generator for passenger service.[2] The locomotive was equipped with connections for multiple unit operation.[3]
The 4-S demonstrator was tested by a number of railroads, including the Louisville and Nashville, Seaboard Air Line, Mississippi Export Railroad, Gulf, Mobile and Ohio, and the Southern Railway; however no orders materialized for the type, or for any other of Ingalls' proposed locomotives.[2] The lack of orders combined with issues with the supply of components resulted in Ingalls electing to abandon its plans for locomotive construction;[1] the sole 4-S was the only locomotive they ever built.[4] It was sold to the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad for US$140,000 in June 1946, where it received the road number 1900.[2]
The 4-S served with the GM&O, operating primarily from Mobile, Alabama, to Jackson, Mississippi, but also served around Meridian and Laurel. It was used in switching duty, earning a reputation for toughness;[1] it once derailed, landing inverted, but was repaired and returned to service in short order.[2] In 1966, the railroad traded it in to EMD as partial payment for new SD40s.[1] It was offered to the Illinois Railway Museum for US$3,000, but the museum was unable to raise the funds.[2] When no other buyers materialized,[1] it was sold to Pielet Brothers in 1967, where it was scrapped.[2]
5. ^ Rutherford, R. C. (2013). Ingalls Shipbuilding (1949). The Diesel Shop. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.thedieselshop.us/Ingalls_Flyer.pdf