Baldwin/De La Vergne Diesel Engine Development Time Line

1931

• De La Vergne Engine Company acquired, see: "De La Vergne Engine Company"
  production and development moved to Eddystone
  
  
1934

• Model VL - Series 30
  - first De La Vergne model designed for industrial locomotive use [25]
  - inline 6 cylinder, 7" x 8" bore and stroke, 200 hp @ 1200 rpm
  - three built, two of these were used in two Whitcomb 30ton mechanical drive
  0-4-0 locomotives, Midvale Co. #32 & #37
  - The model VL shared parts with the later model LV of 1939
  
  
1935

• Model VO - Series 60
  - first De La Vergne model designed for heavy locomotive use [25]
  - inline 6 cylinder, 12 1/2" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, 660 hp* @ 600 rpm, cast A-frame was used
  - first two VO engines built, serial #1600 & 1605
  - engine #1600 used in BLW #62000, see: "The Baldwin Diesel-Electric Switching Locomotive"
  
  * In the Fred Westing book[9] and the John F. Kirkland books [6] & [25] these first two engines
  are said to be 600hp @ 600 rpm. Baldwin marketing publications say 660hp @ 600 rpm.
  
  
  October 1936 Baldwin Locomotives Magazine
  
  
1936

• Experiments with turbo-charging the VO engine proved
  unsuccessful due to offset combustion chamber design.
  
  
  De La Vergne Model "VO" Locomotive and Stationary Type Diesel Engine
  Fitted with Exhaust Gas Driven Supercharger During Experimental Tests
  from - Significant Trends in Diesel Engine Development and Application
  Januray 1937 Baldwin Locomotives Magazine
  
  VO cylinder head
  

  see: "COMBUSTION SYSTEM" The Controlled Turbulence Combustion System of the De La Vergne Diesel Engine

  Fourth Quarter 1939 Baldwin-Southwark Magazine
  
  Development of a turbocharger friendly cylinder head design
  had to wait until 1944 with the Model 600 Series engine.
  
  
1937

• 8 cylinder version of the VO engine built, cast A-frame was used
  - 12 1/2" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, 900 hp @ 600 rpm
  - used in the New Orleans Public Belt Locomotives #31, 32 & 33
  see: "DIESEL SWITCHERS - De La Vergne Engines In New Orleans Public Belt Locomotives"
  
  
  First Quarter 1939 Baldwin-Southwark Magazine
  
  
1938

• A welded steel A-frame and bed was designed as the cast frame was prone to cracking.
  
  
  Baldwin photo - "Half a Century of Diesel Engine Development"
  
  
12 1/2" bore VO engines: 1936 - 1939

• Only thirteen 12 1/2" bore VO engines were installed in locomotives [6]
  - cast A-frame
     #1600 was used in Baldwin's first end cab switcher, BLW #62000,    Baldwin Class 8-0E-660/1 E - 1936
     #1612, 1613 & 1614 used in the New Orleans Public Belt Locomotives, Baldwin Class 8-DE-900/1 E - 1937
  - welded A-frame
     #1626 used in Reading #36, Baldwin Class 8-DE-660/1 E - 1939
     #1627-1633 were used in the Whitcomb built Tex-Mex boxcabs #501-507 - 1939
     #1634 used in BLW #299, Baldwin Class 8-DE-660/1 E - 1939
  

1939

• Second generation VO engine was introduced which had a 12 3/4" bore x 15 1/2" stroke
  - the 1/2" increase in bore was made so the 8 cylinder engine would produce 1000hp [6]
  - the welded steel A-frame and bed was used
  - quick release hand hole covers, see: Behind the Hand Hole Covers
  
  VO engines models:
  - 6VO: 6 cylinder, 660 hp @ 625 rpm
  - 8VO: 8 cylinder, 1000 hp @ 625 rpm
  
  6VO
  
  Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, 1940
  
  

  8VO pump end

  8VO on bedplate

  Baldwin photos - Model VO Engine Manual
  

1939

• Model LV - Series 300
  - first De La Vergne Vee-type engine for locomotive use [25]
  - shared parts with the earlier model VL of 1934
  
  12LV engine
  - V12, 8" x 8" bore and stroke, 500 hp @ 1200 rpm
  - an order was issued to build two engines, serial numbers 1636 & 1637 [6]
  - only #1636 was built for lab testing
  - #1637 was intended for the experimental Baldwin 500hp diesel-mechanical locomotive, see Baldwin Projects
  - project suspended 1940
  - the design was revised to become the model 400 series engine [6]
  
  

  The presence of turbochargers indicates this V12 is most likey the model LV engine (12LV) rather than a model 400 V12 (412) which would have had a gear driven Roots blower

  Baldwin photo - "Half a Century of Diesel Engine Development" 1945
  

1939

• Model 400 Series
  - development begins on the 400 series engine
  
  
1941

• 408 Engine
  - V8, 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" bore and stroke, gear driven Roots blower, 750 hp @ 1050 rpm
  
  
  Baldwin photo - "Half a Century of Diesel Engine Development" 1945
  
  - authorization to built nine 408 engines, #1720-1727 & #1728:
  - eight for the experimental locomotive BLW #6000 see: Baldwin Class 4-8-8-4 750/8 DE
  - one for the experimental Baldwin 660hp 408 switcher, see Baldwin Projects
  
  Only six 408 engine were every built:
  - #1719, lab test engine
  - #1720-1723, to power BLW #6000, plus one spare #1724
  
  - authorization to built two 408 engines intended for the experimental Baldwin 1500hp Center Cab, Baldwin Projects
  - no mention of any being built
  
  
1941

• 3VO: 3 cylinder, 230 hp @ 400 rpm
  

  Baldwin Locomotives Magazine, Second Quarter - 1946

  One of two installed to provide auxiliary power for the tanker ship "Flying A" which was built in 1941, later acquired by the US Navy as the USS Kaloli

  
  
1942

• 412 Engine
  - authorization to built two 412 engines, one intended for the experimental Baldwin 1000hp switcher, Baldwin Projects
  - to be rated at 1125 hp @ 1050 rpm
  - no mention of any being built
  
  
1944

• Development of the 408 engine ended with the termination of the #6000 locomotive project and
  War Production Board restrictions on diesel engine development. It was not continued after the War.
  
  
1944

• Model 600 Series
  Lifting of the War Production Board restrictions allowed development of a new turbocharger friendly
  cylinder head design for the VO engine, resulting in the 600 series engine.
  
  
  600 series cylinder head
  

1945

• Last VO engine built, 8VO serial #3216 [25]
  used in MILW #1691(939)(908 2nd)
  
  Total VO production [25]
  633 - 8 cylinder, locomotive use
  145 - 6 cylinder, locomotive use
  564 - all other, marine, stationary use
  ------
  1342 - total
  
  
1945

• Production 600 series engines.
  12 3/4" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, inline 6 & 8 cylinders
  Models:
  - 606NA: 6 cylinder, 750 brake hp, 660 hp for traction
  - 608NA: 8 cylinder, 1125 brake hp, 1000 hp for traction
  - 608SC: 8 cylinder, 1625 brake hp, 1500 hp for traction
  hp rating for traction @ 625 rpm
  NA = Normally Aspirated
  SC = Super Charged, using a turbo charger
  
  

  660hp 606NA Baldwin Quarterly Magazine - First/Second Quarter, 1948

  Diesel engine logo Baldwin photo - collection of Kevin Kohls

  
  

  photo by: Michael Zalewski from a plate in his collection

  Data plate for diesel engine #3710 5.25" x 9" 2mm brass 660HP 606NA installed in Pennsylvania RR #5960 DS4-4-660 c/n 73621, b/d 3/1948 - built as PRR #5960(7860) - became Penn Central #7860(8365)

  
  

  608NA

  608SC

  Baldwin Bulltin 193, 1945
  
  
  
1947

• Model 2000 Series
  - Vee-type, 10" bore x 11" stroke, a V-2 test engine (model 2002) was built [25]
  four versions were planned, all developing hp at 1000 rpm.
  - 700 hp normally aspirated V-8
  - 1000 hp turbocharged V-8
  - 1500 hp turbocharged V-12
  - 2000 hp turbocharged V-16
  
  - cancelled in 1948 by a change in Baldwin management which favoured an opposed-piston design [25]
  
  
1948

• Model 547 Series
  - opposed-piston, 2 cycle, 6 1/2" bore x 8 1/4" stroke,
  - called the 547 series after the displacement of each cylinder
  - 6 cylinder, 1170 brake hp, 1000 hp for traction @ 1200 rpm
  - 9 cylinder, 1750 brake hp, 1500 hp for traction @ 1200 rpm
  
  1949-1950
  - three test engines, each 3 cylinder (6 pistion), built and tested
  - one 9 cylinder engine, built and tested
  
  1951
  - project cancelled after testing showed the same deficiencies found in other opposed-piston designs [25]
  
  Details of the model 2000 and model 547 engines can be found in John F. Kirkland's book,
  "Dawn of the Diesel Age" , see Bibliography reference [25]
  
  
1948

• 606SC replaces 608NA, 606NA re-rated
  models:
  - 606NA: 6 cylinder, 825 brake hp, 750 hp for traction
  - 606SC: 6 cylinder, 1125 brake hp, 1000 hp for traction
  - 608SC: 8 cylinder, 1625 brake hp, 1500 hp for traction
  hp rating for traction @ 625 rpm
  NA = Normally Aspirated
  SC = Super Charged, using a turbo charger
  
  

  606SC

  608SC

  1949 Baldwin promotional publication
  
  
  
1950

• Model 600A Series
  second generation 600 series engines, 12 3/4" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, inline 6 & 8 cylinders.
  - larger diameter crankshaft, higher boost pressure, re-enforced bedplate [25]
  models:
  - 606: 6 cylinder (normally aspirated), 800 hp
  - 606A: 6 cylinder (turbo charged), 1325 hp - marketed as 1200 hp
  - 608A: 8 cylinder (turbo charged), 1750 hp - marketed as 1600 hp
  
  

  606

  606A

  608A

  1950 Baldwin promotional publication
  
  

  606A

  608A

  1955 Baldwin promotional publication
  
  

BLH Era & Post Locomotive Era

• Production was moved to the Hamilton plant in Ohio, then back to Eddystone
  see: Baldwin/BLH Diesel Engine Ads & Publications
  
  
• The Belgium firm Cockerill-Ougree licensed the 600 series designs and Hamilton engine designs for production and development
  see: Cockerill-Ougree 2R-616-E which used a Cockerill-Ougree built 608 engine, Ferrocarril Nacional General Roca RR, Argentina
  
  
1960

• Last 600 series locomotive-type engines built at Eddystone, 608A #6871 & #6872 sold to NdeM as spares [6]
  
  
1964

• The last 600 series engine was built at Eddystone. Stationary 608A #7113 [6]
  
  Stationary 608A
  
  Baldwin Bulletin No. 321B-Rev. 2-61
  
  
1971-1991

• Baldwin-Hamilton Company see: Baldwin Replacement and Renewal Parts History