Baldwin VO-660

The Baldwin VO-660 was a diesel-electric locomotive switcher built by Baldwin Locomotive Works between April, 1939 and May, 1946. The 197,520–203,980 lb (89,600–92,500 kg) units were powered by a six-cylinder diesel engine rated at 660 horsepower (492 kW), and rode on two-axle AAR Type-A switcher trucks in a B-B wheel arrangement. 142 examples of this model were built for American railroads, along with the United States Navy. Baldwin replaced the VO-660 with the model DS-4-4-660 in 1946.

Baldwin VO-660
D&RGW VO-660 switcher.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works Model VO-660 Build date April 1939 – May 1946 Total produced 142
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Length 48 ft 0 in (14.63 m) Loco weight 197,520–203,980 lb (89,600–92,500 kg) Prime mover De La Verne VO RPM range 625 rpm max. Engine type Straight-6 Four-stroke diesel Aspiration Normally aspirated, solid fuel injection Displacement 1,979 cu in (32.43 l) per cylinder 11,874 cu in (194.58 L) total Generator DC generator Traction motors DC traction motors Cylinders 6 Cylinder size 12.75 in × 15.5 in (324 mm × 394 mm) Transmission Electric Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Power output 660 hp (490 kW) Tractive effort 49,380–50,995 lbf (219.65–226.84 kN)
Career Locale North America, Cuba

In the early 1960s the Reading Company sent all 10 of their VO-660s to General Motors Electro-Motive Division to have them rebuilt to SW900 specifications. These locomotives received new frames, cabs, and carbodies, and reused only the trucks and batteries from the VO-660's. [1] Only four intact examples of the VO-660 are known to survive today. One was built as Baldwin 335, the first production VO-660. It was sold by the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum to SMS Lines to be repaired and put back into operation. SMS also owns the former Warner 11, which is being restored before being put into service. The others are Pickens Railway #2, built in 1946, and Wyandotte Terminal 103, at the Illinois Railway Museum. Those two are inoperable at the present time.