VO Series

Discussion in 'Baldwin Locomotive Works' started by paul, Sep 2, 2001.

  1. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    The Frisco owned 2 VO-660s, 60-61, nee 600-601.

    The VO-660s produced 660 HP, weighed 198,440lbs in working order, and exerted 35,000lbs of TE at 4.5 mph.

    The VO-1000s produced 1000 HP, weighed 238,880 lbs in working order, and exerted 52,000lbs of TE at 4.5 mph

    The DS-4-4-1000s produced 1200 HP, weighed 246,980 lbs in working order, and exerted 52,000lbs (nominal) of TE or 34,000lbs of TE continuous at 10.8 mph.
     
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  2. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Building on Karl's excellent post.

    The Baldwin VO-1000 had a tough engine, the De La Vergne VO, 1000 HP, and had tough electrical components from Westinghouse. It was a real gutsy puller, and the SLSF loved them early on.

    Later, though, because the VO was not an EMD engine, the maintenance costs became an issue. The EMD 567 was everywhere on the Frisco - NW2, SW7, SW9, E7, E8, F3, F7, GP7, FP7, F9. All other power suffered from a lack of economy of scale, plus had some maintenance issues of their own ALCo 244 engine in the FA-1, FB-1, RS-2 was a bust.

    The FM H-10-44s and H-12-44s were similar, pretty good switchers, good pullers, powerful. But, the FM vertical opposed piston engine became a maintenance issue. It was different from anything else. To do any work on the lower piston system required a major teardown of the engine. The Frisco offset this by concentrating all the FMs in Oklahoma, where the maintenance expertise could be maximized at one shop location, Tulsa, OK.

    In the end, though, because the Baldwins, the FMs and the ALCos did not have EMD 567 engines, reliability and maintenance costs suffered because of lack of economies of scale, and the non-EMDs all went away.

    Ken
     
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  3. pbender

    pbender Member Frisco.org Supporter

    There is mention in this thread of the cab mounted horns on the VO-1000s.

    I am detailing the recent Frisco Mandarin orange and white VO-1000s produced by Atlas in N-scale, and I am starting with SLSF 226. In some of the photos, I see the cab mounted horn looks like it is on some kind of bracket. What is not clear is if there is any kind of piping for the air horn from the original location like Frisco used on some other locomotives, GP7s for example.

    Does anyone know of any cab end elevated shots of SLSF 226 in Mandarin orange and white paint?

    This locomotive will also get the spark arrestors, like the prototype had, and a roof mounted rotary beacon. Nobody makes the right one in N-scale, so it will be larger than prototypically correct.

    Thanks,

    Paul
     
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  4. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    FYI.

    One small little detail that is overlooked on most of the Baldwin powered VO-1000 models.

    I have seen is the small radiator cap on the center line of the headlight housing, just behind the headlight.

    This was removed on the EMD re-powered VO-1000ms.

    Ken
     
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  5. geep07

    geep07 Member

    I just noticed that there where pictures of VO-1000s with stanchions and handrails attached to the side frame walkway.

    Was this a modification done later or where they delivered as such?
     
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  6. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Baldwin switchers with full length handrails were a modification, I suspect.

    I have seen no "as built" photographs of any Baldwin switcher with full length handrails. Alco was the first manufacturer with that from-the-factory feature for switchers, I think.

    I seem to recall that the Missouri Pacific (MP) was the first one I saw full length hand rails on switches. However, even their Baldwins went to retirement with the OEM hood rails in place.

    Hopefully the VO the museum is to receive is indeed operational. If so, I will do my best to get out there on a day it is to be fired up.

    It has been about 46-47 years since I have been on and heard a Baldwin VO switcher, or Baldwin of any type. Would love to hear one again.

    Oh yeah and to smell it. Loved the way their cabs smelled.

    Andre
     
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  7. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Andre,

    I would propose that, thanks to SoundTraxx, you can hear one any day.

    Of course, bigger speakers and more amplifier power would make a big difference.
     
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  8. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Keith:

    Indeed.

    I have the Frisco VO you equipped with TS1, and a Bowser Executive DS-4-4-1000 that is also sound equipped with ESU.

    Both sound great, but it is not the same as being there.

    Hope this Oklahoma City VO comes to pass.

    Andre
     
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  9. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Shame about the USAF Baldwin.

    Hopefully, the possible VO still has its De La Vergne inline 8 cylinder engine.

    Hard to get excited about an EMD re-powered Baldwin, for what made a Baldwin VO-1000 a Baldwin VO-1000 would be gone.

    Time will tell!

    Andre
     
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  10. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Thanks Karl for the update.

    At least it is a surviving unit original to the Frisco.

    I would suggest the powers that be would be best served to pick an appropriate Frisco scheme and make it so. Mandarin orange and white or black and yellow, as long as it is a sincere effort to be replicate the era targeted, it will all be good.

    As for the F unit, if its lineage can be traced back to its original road and its appliances are conducive to such, again, would suggest replicating its original scheme. Every other railroad since leaving its original owner is actually an "also ran".

    However, if it has been modified like losing its large headlight lens reflector and the entire headlight replaced with those awful surface mounted twin sealed beam lamps, then IMHO, I would not care what it is painted.

    It will all be good no matter how it goes.

    Andre
     
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