Baldwin/De La Vergne Diesel Engine Development

1931

• De La Vergne Engine Company acquired, see: "De La Vergne Engine Company"
  
  
1935

• First two VO engines built, engine serial #1600 & 1605, 12 1/2" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, inline 6 cylinder, 660 hp @ 600 rpm
  engine #1600 was used in Baldwin first end cab switcher, BLW #62000
  see:"The Baldwin Diesel-Electric Switching Locomotive"
  
  
1936

• Experiments with turbo-charging the VO engine proved unsuccessful due to offset combustion chamber design.
  
  
  VO cylinder head
  
  
1937

• 8 cylinder version of the VO engine built, 12 1/2" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, inline 8 cylinder, 900 hp @ 600 rpm
  engine #1612, 1613 & 1614 was used in New Orleans Public Belt Locomotives
  see:"DIESEL SWITCHERS De La Vergne Engines In New Orleans Public Belt Locomotives"
  
  
1938

• Only 13 VO engines with a 12 1/2" bore were installed in locomotives before the
  second generation VO engine was introduced which had a 12 3/4" bore x 15 1/2" stroke.
  Production VO engines:
  6VO - 6 cylinder, 660 hp @ 625 rpm
  8VO - 8 cylinder, 1000 hp @ 625 rpm
  
  
1939

• Specifications defined for the planned 12LV engine, 8" x 8" bore and stroke V-12 , 500 hp @ 1200 rpm
  None built, the design was revised to become the 408 engine.
  
  
1939

• Development begins on the 408 engine, 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" bore and stroke V-8 with roots blower, 750 hp @ 1050 rpm
  Four engines were used in the experimental "4-8-8-4 750/8 DE" locomotive #6000
  
  
  
  
  
  
1942

• 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

• Development of a new cylinder head design for the VO engine resulted in the 600 series engine.
  
  
  600 series cylinder head
  
  
1946

• 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
  
  
1948

• 608NA engine discontinued, new turbocharged and re-rated normally aspirated 6 cylinder engines;
  606NA - 6 cylinder, rated at 750 hp
  606SC - 6 cylinder, rated at 1000 hp
  hp rating for traction @ 625 rpm
  NA = Normally Aspirated
  SC = Super Charged, using a turbo charger
  
  
1948

• Cancellation of the 2000 series engine development, 10" bore x 11" stroke, a V-2 test engine had been built.
  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
  
  
1950

• Second generation 600 series engines, 12 3/4" bore x 15 1/2" stroke, inline 6 & 8 cylinders.
  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