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So why builders plates I here you ask ? Well this is how I got into this exciting hobby. It all started in my younger days on Saturday mornings with my grand father at a local scrap yard where he would meet his friends (who used to cut up used railway equipment for a living) and I could climb over the old steam engines (well at eight years old, I could not think of any thing more exciting to do). After a couple of visits one of my grandfathers friends asked if I would like a builders plate. A builders plate I asked ? Well he said gruffly. Which one do you want ? As two absolutely massive hulks stood before me. I pointed and said that one, still not knowing what a builders plate was. Then a burst of sparks and a loud thud. Well there it is, but give it a chance to cool. Cool it did and we took it home. My grandfather said on the way home you are going to like this !! First thing on arriving home we placed the builders plate straight in the wash basin where it was given a good scrub so the years of soot and ingrained dirt started to wash off the brass plate and it started to shine. WOW it came to life !!!!! I grabbed a dish cloth (white of course) and started rubbing, the more I rubbed the brighter it shone. It was like winning the lottery, until my Grandmother went absolutely nuts on my Grandfather for being so irresponsible for using her new dish clothes on old piece of brass. Today I still chuckle about just how funny it was, but then we ran for our lives my grandfather included. More visits and more plates, a box of old rags (provided by my grandmother) and a collection was started. As time went on I found that not all locomotives were the same. Some where big and some small. The builders plates also differed. Some were round, some oblong and some that looked like diamonds. I didn't care they just looked good and they were from Monster's languishing in the scrap yard. The years past and I came to learn that each shape represented a builder. Baldwin's were round, Alco were oblong and Lima's were the diamonds. Each plate had a story to tell, but what did they say ? Well like a birth certificate is to a human a builders plate serves the same purpose to a locomotive. The plate tells the builders name, the construction number, the year of construction, and location of the builder. Some builders plates contain additional information such as the classification of the locomotive. They really told you every thing you needed to know about the locomotive. Fascinating. The wonderful thing about the builders plate hobby is that it brings people together from all walks of life from Firemen to Janitors, old and young a like. These are people who are not only passionate about railway's but people who enjoy history (i.e. when was the locomotive built) and geography (were did the locomotive run and which railroad or railroads did it belong to?). It's a very rewarding and interesting hobby. I have collected builders plates for a few years now and would be happy to here from any one with a similar interest. If you are having problems identifying a builders plate of your own please let me know I would be happy to identify it for you. My email address is tunnelmotor@shaw.ca . I am also looking to add to my collection should any one have any surplus builders plates so please don't hesitate to send the details. Remember it's a great hobby to get into and I hope you enjoy the pictures. All the best, Richard Caig |
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New Orleans Public Belt Railway, Class-8-DE-900/1E-2. Road # 32, Baldwin Serial # 62136. This small 900 HP locomotive was placed in service on the 19th December 1937. Engine type 8V0. This builders plate is off the third diesel locomotive Baldwin ever built (as Santa Fe road # 2200 was the first and her sister locomotive NO&PB # 31 was the second). This locomotive is considered to be a pre-production locomotive as there were only three locomotives of this type and class ever built. Soon after their completion Baldwin standardized on a production model and the production of the famous line of diesel locomotives started. This locomotive was retired in 1966. This builders plate is a round 91/4" diameter Baldwin plate (very much like the steam locomotives) and it's construction is almost like a Stainless steel / Chrome material (but I am no metallurgist) and as far as I can see these are the only Baldwin builders plates to be constructed in this manner. |
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Class DRS-4-4-660/1 DE or also known as the VO-660. Baldwin Serial # 62497, delivered on the 28th July 1941. Engine type 6VO, Road # 200. This was the only VO-660 the Wabash owned. This builders plate is a brass round 91/4" diameter Baldwin builders plate in ex-locomotive condition. As you can see from the builders plate that the locomotive probably had a very rough life. |
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Southern Pacific VO-1000. Baldwin Serial # 62506, delivered in July 1941. Engine type 8VO. Road # 1320. This was Southern Pacific's, first VO-1000 and built in a batch with fives sisters road # 1320 to 1324). The 1320 started her career in Los Angeles and was then leased to Pacific Electric in 1948. In 1964, now only 23 years old she was traded in to General Electric for the new U25B. The Builders plate is a 91/4" diameter brass builders plate and very similar to the style used on Baldwin steam locomotives. |
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Denver and Rio Grande Western, VO-660 (Phase IIa). Baldwin Serial # 64185, delivered in 18th August 1941. Engine type 6VO. Road # 71. The phase IIa models had the front radiator design and the cab shortened by 1 foot between April 1941 and November 1941. There were 142 qty VO-660's built all for the US market. This is a round brass builders plate 91/4" in diameter.They were all scrapped or traded by 1967. |
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Class 0-4-4-0 1000/1 DE or VO-1000 to the rest of us. Baldwin Serial # 64277, delivered on 25th March 1942. Engine type 8VO, Road # 911. This was one of fourteen VO-1000's on the Oliver Iron Mining site and had a phase 2a car body ( i.e. the front radiator design, cab shortened by 1 foot). This locomotive ran until September 1985. This builders plate is a brass round 91/4" diameter Baldwin builders plate (very much like the steam locomotive type) and is in ex-locomotive condition. This was one of the last 1000 HP switchers to be completed prior to the imposition of government control (for the war effort). |
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Great Northern Railroad, VO-1000. Baldwin Serial # 71943, delivered in September 1944. Engine type 8VO. This builders plate is off road # 140 and was one of ten VO-1000's owned by the Great Northern Railway. This locomotive was one of a ten, VO-1000 fleet that the great Northern Operated (and was part of the last batch ordered). The builders plate is made from cast steel and is 91/4" in diameter. By 1944 the war department had stopped the locomotive builder using brass for the construction of their builders plates. Note how much bulkier the cast steel builders plate is compared to the earlier bass plates. In 1963 the 140 met an unusual fate and was stripped down to the frame and trucks and rebuilt as a yard caboose. In this case it was Great Northern Caboose # X-179. |
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Chesapeake & Western, Class DS-4-4-660/1 (NA, Phase 1b which denoted a flat front grill on models built between 10/1946 to 12/1947).Road # 662. Baldwin Serial # 73359, completed on the 12th December 1950. Engine type 606NA. This was one of only three Baldwin's owned by the C&W. The locomotive builders plate is a brass five point builders plate and in ex-locomotive condition (the road grime was removed off the builders plate with a mild detergent and lots of scrubbing, then clear lacquered was applied over the original paint for a shiny finish). |
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Chesapeake & Western, Class DS-4-4-660/1 (NA, Phase 1b which denoted a flat front grill on models built between 10/1946 to 12/1947).Road # 663. Baldwin Serial # 73360, completed on the 14th December 1950. Engine type 606NA. The locomotive builders plate is a brass five point builders plate and in ex-locomotive condition (the road grime was removed off the builders plate with a mild detergent and lots of scrubbing, then clear lacquered was applied over the original paint for a shiny finish). |
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Pennsylvania Railroad, DS-4-4-1000/1 (SC), PRR class BS-10a, Road # 5968. Baldwin Serial # 73586, delivered in March 1948. Engine type 606SC. This locomotive was part of a massive fleet of Baldwin switchers owned by the PRR. The locomotive made it to Penn Central and carried road # 7939. This builders plate is made of brass and is one of the later Baldwin five point designs. |
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Elgin, Joliet & Eastern commonly known as the "J"ordered 26 qty, DT-6-6-2000/2 (SC) for transfer service. Baldwin Serial # was 73724 and the road # was 116. This locomotive was delivered to the J on the 24th June 1948. Engine type 606SC. These massive six-motor, twin -engined 2000-hp monster centercab locomotives were the J's primary road locomotives. Almost half of these locomotives were repowered by EMD. The locomotive builders plate is a cast steel five point builders plate. |
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Pennsylvania Railroad, Class DR-4-4-1500/1 (SC), RF16B, Cabless B unit. Baldwin Serial # 73987, completed on the 31st March 1949. Engine type 608SC This is one of 30 qty units built for the PRR and carried road # 9575B. This is a Baldwin five point builders plate made of cast iron and in ex-locomotive condition (just look at the road grime, boy the PRR sure were rough on their equipment !!!). |
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Southern Pacific class DERS-2. Baldwin serial # DS-6-6-1500/1 (SC), Road #5206. Baldwin Serial # 74260, delivered on 10th May 1949. Engine type 608SC producing 1500 HP. This group of ten, DS-6-6-1500's, Road # 5203 to 5212 were built with General Steel castings cast underframes; uneven axel spacing accommodates three traction motors per truck and the radiator air intakes are low (until the later modification by Southern Pacific to higher radiators a couple of years later making them class # DF-101). Another great spotting feature for this class was the extended exhaust stacks. In August 1965, 5206 was traded into EMD. This five point builders plate is made of cast iron and in ex-locomotive condition. You can see clearly on the plate that the locomotive carried the attractive Southern Pacific, Tiger stripe paint scheme. |
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Pennsylvania Railroad, DS-4-4-1000/1 (Phase IIc), PRR class BS-10a, Road # 5550. Baldwin Serial # 74759, completed on the 2nd March 1950. Engine type 606SC. This locomotive was the first 1000 HP Baldwin switcher to be built on a fabricated steel under frame (excluding Oliver mining Locomotives 907 - 909 which were special order). The life of this locomotive extended into the Penn Central years carrying road # 7950. The PRR owned 127 qty examples of the DS-4-4-1000 making it the largest class of Baldwin switchers the PRR owned. This builders plate is a cast iron Baldwin five point builders plate and is in as removed condition. |
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Missouri - Kansas - Texas or MKT or some just like to call it the Katy, DS-4-4-1200/1 (SC) commonly known as the S-12, Road # 44 then 1212. Baldwin Serial # 75184, completed on the 10th June 1952. Engine type 606A. This was one of fifteen S-12's owned by the Katy. There were 452 qty S-12's built for the US market in total. This builders plate is made of cast iron and can be clearly seen that Baldwin has merged with Lima Hamilton. |
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Patapsco and Back Rivers, DS-4-4-1200/1 (SC) commonly known as the S-12, Road # 346. Baldwin Serial # 75235, completed on the 10th September 1951. Engine type 606A. This locomotive owned and operated by Bethlehem Steel Company who owned a huge fleet of Alco, EMD and Baldwin switchers to run their 97 mile long line. The builders plate is a standard oblong cast steel Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton plate. |
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Atlanta and West Point, DS-4-4-1200/1 (SC) or also simply known as a S-12. Road # 678. Baldwin Serial # 75280, completed on the 19th July 1951. Engine type 606A. This was the only S-12 owned by the Atlanta and West Point Railroad and had a cast under frame. This builders plate is made of cast iron and can be clearly seen that Baldwin has merged with Lima Hamilton. This builders plate is in definate need of a little cosmetic work. |
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Chicago & North Western, Class DRS-6-6-1600/1 (SC) or also known as the AS-616. Baldwin Serial # 75334, delivered in 14th January 1952. Engine type 606NA, Road # 1561. The C&NW AS-616's only weighed 287,000 lbs making them the lightest domestic AS-616's to be built by Baldwin. All three AS-616's were re-engined by EMD in 1962. The builders plate is a standard oblong Baldwin - Lima - Hamilton plate in ex-locomotive condition. |
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New York Central, Class DR-4-4-1600, RF16 Cab unit. Baldwin Serial # 75376, delivered in February 1952. Engine type 608A. This is one of 18 cab units built for the NYC and carried road # 3820. These locomotives were commonly known as Sharks due to their nose design). With the Creation of Penn Central Transportation in 1968 ( with the merger of New York Central and the Pennsylvania Railroad) the RF16 was renumbered to road # 1220. Eventually she was traded into General Electric. |
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Pennsylvania Railroad, Class DR-4-4-1600/1 (SC), RF16 Cab unit. Baldwin Serial # 75382, completed on the 21st April 1952. Engine type 608A. This is one of 72 cab units built for the PRR and carried road # 2024. This is a cast Iron Baldwin / Lima / Hamilton builders plate. |
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Class DRS-6-6-1600/1 SC or also known as the AS-616, Baldwin Serial # 75460, delivered on the 27th February 1952. Engine type 608A, Road # 5264. Southern Pacific class DF-112. This unit was one of the units built with the least of the Southern Pacific options. It was not fitted for multiple unit working or any of the other useful extras but strangely enough it was fitted with dynamic brakes. This locomotive was one of the few Southern Pacific locomotives to carry the Halloween paint scheme (Black and orange) and finally got painted Gray and scarlet prior to getting withdrawn from service by mid 1969. The builders plate is a standard oblong Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton cast steel plate and show's the locomotives final livery |
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Class DRS-6-6-1600/1 SC or also known as the AS-616, Baldwin Serial # 75471, delivered on the 19th May 1952. Engine type 608A, Road # 5275. This unit was very conspicuous in the Southern Pacific fleet as it was one of only three AS-616's to have the Large Pyle-National "Gyralites" faired into their hoods. This feature was intended for street running on the Pacific Electric's Northern District to Sam Bernardino. This locomotive was sold to Rayonier for logging (near Gary's Harbor, Washington) in late 1961 and carried road # 90. The locomotive was finally scrapped in 1986. The builders plate is a standard oblong Baldwin - Lima - Hamilton plate and is ready for a fresh lick of paint (now do I paint it Espee or Rayonier, AHHH !!!! So many choices). |
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Pennsylvania Railroad, DS-4-4-1200/1 (SC) commonly known to the rest of us as a S-12, PRR class BS-12m, Road # 8768. Baldwin Serial # 75655, completed on the 24th October 1952. Engine type 606A. This was the last locomotive in a batch of 25 and was a phase 1b. There were 452 qty S-12's built for the US market and the PRR bought 87 of them. This builders plate is made of cast iron and can be clearly seen that Baldwin has merged with Lima Hamilton. Note that the Model, HP and Month before the year have all been stamped with the correct data. It seems to be more common that only the model was stamped on the plate. |
 
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Oliver Iron Mining was a very good customer to Baldwin and experimented with a number of ideas. One such Baldwin / Oliver mining exclusive was the fourteen qty S-8 cow and calf sets (i.e. a cabed switcher (cow) and a cabless booster (calf)). These were the only switcher B units (calves) that Baldwin ever built. Here are the builders plates off the very last set road # 1215A (Baldwin serial # 75693) and 1215B (Baldwin Serial # 75697). Both used a engine type 606 and have a phase 2b car body. This set was scrapped at Rouchleau in August 1985 and spent their lives for the most part working at Hibbing Mine in Minnesota. The builders plates are made from cast steel and display the Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton logo. The builders plates are in ex-locomotive condition. It's also worth noting the Oliver Mining asset/equipment number below the Baldwin serial number which is very unique. |
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Southern Pacific class DS-118 or Baldwin serial # DS-4-4-1200/1 (SC) or a S-12. Road # 1543 then 2150. Baldwin Serial # 75918, delivered on 30th September 1953. Engine type 606A. The 1543 was part of Southern Pacific's last order of S-12's (Road # 1539 to 1550). These were called ultimate S-12's as they were the only Baldwin switchers with multiple unit connections complete with gangways and outside handrails. Another great spotting feature was the oval exhaust stack (as all of the other S-12's had round ones). Brand new in 1953 this locomotive cost $108,676 each. Finally 2150 was retired in August 1974 (with her two sisters 2154 & 2157) finally bringing a close the Baldwin era on the Southern Pacific. She met her fate at Chrome Crankshaft. The builders plate is a standard oblong steel Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton plate in ex-locomotive condition. |
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Baltimore & Ohio, Class DRS-4-4-1600/1 (SC) or also known as the AS-16. Baldwin Serial # 75100,
delivered in 27th May 1955. Engine type 608A, Road # 2244. This locomotive was part of the second batch of AS-16's that the B&O bought from Baldwin. The builders plate is a standard cast steel oblong Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton plate. |