Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2

Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2
"Centipedes" of the Pennsylvania Railroad are seen here returning around Horseshoe Curve to the bottom to await another assignment in July 1953. All PRR units were semi-permanently coupled back-to-back, in pairs.
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Baldwin Locomotive Works
Model DR-12-8-1500/2
Build date December 1945 – July 1948
Total produced 55
AAR wheel arr. 2-D+D-2
UIC classification (2′Do)+(Do'2)
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Length 91 ft 6 in (27.89 m)
Locomotive weight 595,000 lb (269.9 tonnes)
Fuel capacity 3,500 US gal (13,000 l; 2,900 imp gal)]
Prime mover Two 608SC
Engine type Four-stroke diesel
Aspiration Turbocharger
Displacement 15,832 cu in (259.44 l) (× 2)
Cylinders 8 (× 2)
Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors
Top speed 93 mph (150 km/h)
Power output 3,000 hp (2.24 MW)
Tractive effort 102,500 lbf (455.94 kN)
Locomotive brakes Straight air
Train brakes Air
Locale North America

The Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2 (known informally as the Centipede) was the Baldwin Locomotive Works' first serious attempt at a production road diesel locomotive. The Baldwin type designation was DR-12-8-1500/2 meaning Diesel Road locomotive, with 12 axles (8 of which were driven), and two engines of 1,500 horsepower each. The trucks were configured in a 2-D+D-2 wheel arrangement. The nickname came from the numerous axles set in a nearly unbroken line, much like the legs of a centipede.

Contents

Built between December, 1945 and July, 1948 the "Babyface" design reflected Baldwin steam and electric locomotive practice. The carbody rode on two massive articulated cast steel half-frames cast by General Steel Castings, linked at the middle with a hinged joint. Unpowered four-wheel trucks at each end guided the locomotive through curves for stability at speed. Internal wiring was passed through metal conduits exactly like those used on a steam locomotive, which proved troublesome in practice.

The prototype 2-unit set was built in 1945 and toured American railroads. Orders followed from the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and the National Railways of Mexico (NdeM). The two demonstrators (originally ordered by Union Pacific Railroad as #998 and #999) were never sold and were eventually scrapped. The "Centipedes" were very soon made obsolete as the state of the art overtook them. Reliability was an ongoing problem, and as they were built one at a time (like steam engines) each one was a bit different in the placement of wiring and equipment, which complicated even routine maintenance. The PRR units were eventually derated and relegated to helper service. None of the units are known to exist today.

Original buyers

Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Baldwin Locomotive Works (demonstrators)
2
6000–6001
Not sold
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México
14
6400–6413
Pennsylvania Railroad
24
5823A1,2–5834A1,2 Renumbered 5811–5834 (not in order)
Seaboard Air Line Railroad
14
4500–4513
Total 55

Footnote

In 1943 Baldwin built an experimental 6,000 horsepower (4,500 kW) "Centipede" as a demonstrator unit, which was assigned road #6000. The uniquely-styled unit, with its upright, aggressive prow also utilized the 2-D+D-2 wheel arrangement but was to be powered with eight V8 diesel engines, though only four were actually installed. The lone unit was scrapped soon after production, and its running gear was used for the one of a kind prototype #4500 Seaboard Air Line 3,000 horsepower (2,200 kW) "Centipede".

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