Switch Engine #604, Baldwin Locomotive Works, 1936
Posted by: Algoma!
N 41° 24.457 W 080° 22.898
17T E 551684 N 4584192
At the Greenville Railroad Park. A memorable display of a rare locomotive and train cars, plus indoor museum.
Waymark Code: WM1K5Q
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 05/24/2007
Views: 112
#604 has a long and interesting history. It is the ONLY remaining Switch Engine of its size or kind. The other 8 were scrapped years ago. As a switch engine, its duties were confined to heavy freight hauling between factories in the east and midwest. Toward the end of its work life, it had a very unusual assignment. It was used to heat a Wisconsin factory building. Tracks were sidled up to the side of the building and the engine pulled up to a vent system and the heat from its giant boiler was transferred throught the vents to the rooms above. I suppose this meant there had to be someone tending the engine at all times! I learned this and numerous other truly fascinating stories from the park's manager, Lee G. He is a retired career railroader who loves to share his expert knowledge. He is also the man who organized the whole effort in the mid 80's to move the gargantuan engine into its Greenville home. That story would take too much room to tell here, but I think Lee would be glad to give the details when you visit.
Locomotive Type: (required): Steam
Do you need to pay an entrance fee to view this locomotive? (required): No
How accessible is this locomotive display? (Required): Cab access is allowed.
If "other" what is the engine type? (optional): Not listed
If a fee is required what is the approximate cost for admittance? (optional): Not listed
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