PRSL AS-16 at Haddonfield station in September 1965.

(Roger Puta, courtesy Marty Bernard from U.S.A., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

Baldwin Group logo b&w

BALDWIN-LIMA-HAMILTON AS-16 DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE

The BLH AS-16 was a diesel-electric locomotive rated at 1,625 hp (1,212 kW), that rode on two-axle trucks, having a B-B wheel arrangement. It was the successor to Baldwin's DRS-4-4-1500 model, and remained in production until Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton quit the locomotive manufacturing business in 1956.

Nine railroads bought 127 locomotives, with five railroads having bought the previous model. None have survived into preservation.

 

Western Maryland 173 (Baldwin AS16) most probably Hagerstown, MD in September 1964.

(Roger Puta, courtesy Marty Bernard from U.S.A., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

 

Original buyers

Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 16 890–905 Renumbered 6200–6215; renumbered 2241–2239
Erie Railroad 16 1106–1120, 1140
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad 18 1571–1586, 1787–1788 Renumbered
Missouri Pacific Railroad (International-Great Northern Railroad) 2 4195–4196
Missouri Pacific Railroad (St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway) 6 4326–4331
New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad ("Nickel Plate Road") 4 320–323
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines 16 6007–6016, 6022–6027 6022–6027 were a cancelled order by the Reading Co., The 6 were built in 1953 with dynamic brakes and conventional mu (as opposed to BLW's air-controlled design). In 1956 the P-RSL acquired the units and had the dynamic brakes removed, BLW air-controlled mu installed, only №'s 6024 to 6027 had steam boilers installed.
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad ("Soo Line") 2 379–380
Reading Company 43 530–554, 560–563, 576–589
Western Maryland Railway 4 173–176
Total 127

Reading Baldwin AS16 530 at Gordon, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1960. Photographer: Martin Zak.

(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/50315989033/)

 

Usage

The AS-16 was designed as an all-around useful locomotive, capable of freight or passenger service. The engine had optional benefits such as a steam generator or dynamic brakes. The AAR Type B truck warranted higher speed than its siblings, the AS-416 and AS-616, with their three axle trucks.

 

Reading Baldwin AS16 582, location unknown, August 1, 1959. Photographer unknown.

(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/50316036543/)

 

Overview

Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-electric
Builder: Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton
Model: AS-16
Build date: May 1951–February 1956
Total produced: 127
Specifications
Configuration:
​• AAR B-B
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Trucks: AAR Type B
Length over couplers: 58’
Prime mover: 608A
Aspiration: Turbocharger - Elliott Company H704 (125 hp)
Generator: Westinghouse 471B
Traction motors: Westinghouse 370DL (x 4)
Gear ratio: 15:63, 15:68 (optional) 17:62 (passenger)
Couplers: AAR Type E knuckle
Performance figures
Power output: 1,625 hp (1,212 kW) (marketed as 1,600 hp)
Career
Locale: North America
Disposition: All scrapped