any recent news on the Baldwin sharks?

[Kootenay Central]

At the other end of my life we went to Brownsville, PA. in the height of winter to see the Sharks, still in the NYC 'Cigar Band' paint, that had just arrived on the MRy. A rarer form of survivor amongst the dwindling ranks of FA, F2s and 3s, other Baldwins and F-Ms still roaming the land at the end of the sixties. We just missed the DL109s and the Centipedes, and the BLW double ender on the Jersey Central. Cold, blustery, black and white. Fitting atmosphere for a Baldwin. A tug and barges on the Monongahela, fighting the ice. On a much nicer day a few years later followed the Sharks once again thru nice spring grass and mountain scenery on the D&H. The PAs were there, too. A long time ago. A series of miracles we were privileged to view. Some we missed. T'would be nice to see the Sharks again and think back about so much just after steam. Thank You.

[samfp1943]

Kootenay Central

Thank You.

You are very welcome. I had hopes that othe's here would enjoy the link.

The character of the Baldwin Sharks are almost mythical, and information on them seems to be little and photos even less.information. apparently only two of the Dr4-4-15's survive, and they have been sequestered by a private collector in Michigan, after some problematic behavior by railfans.

[cefinkjr]

baberuth73

... definitely not getting any younger.

 

On the other hand, you aren't catching up with any of us, either. 

[baberuth73]

I certainly appreciate all who took part in this thread. I sincerely hope the Sharks are returned to some level of service sooner rather than later- I'm 62 and definitely not getting any younger.

 

[Kootenay Central]

Thank You.

[samfp1943]

Thank you Firelock 76.

    It was facinating to read the account of the power that these engines were apparently able to muster with their Baldwin Powerplants.      I was hoping that others would enjoy the accounts, and photos as well.  As you can see information on these particular units is very scarce.

[Firelock76]

To samfp1943:  Thanks so much for posting the "Riding Sharks" link.  Didn't they look absolutely gorgeous in that D&H livery?  Probably one of the best diesel color schemes ever.  I like it even more tan Santa Fe's  "Warbonnet".

[cefinkjr]

big steve

Yes they are, ex NYC, then went to MRY, then D&H, then Michigan Northern, then Escabana & Lake Superior Ry.

Although I never actually saw them, I had a bit of a passing acquaintance with these units.  The MRY Superintendent and I were 'graduates' of the same NYC training program.  When I visited my parents near Brownsville, PA (MRY HQ), I dropped in to congratulate him on his promotion,  After bragging a bit about the good deal he got in trading those old Sharks for new U25B's, he pointed to a piece of U-rail on his desk and asked me if I knew what it was.

When I correctly identified it, he told me that, during his initial inspection of the MRY, he had found that 100-year old rail in service, with these Sharks and 100-ton hoppers rolling over it every day.  Needless to say, it was replaced before another train used that track.

[samfp1943]

THe following link may be of some interest, referencing the Baldwin Sharknoses:

http://www.bridge-line.org/blhs/RidingSharks.html

It is the recounting of a ride o the units from a number of years ago, but has a number of thumbnails of the engines and their interiors.

Hope you enjoy it.

[baberuth73]

Have they been photographed while at the storage facility?

[big steve]

Yes they are, ex NYC, then went to MRY, then D&H, then Michigan Northern, then Escabana & Lake Superior Ry.

 

Steve

[cefinkjr]

Are these the same ex-NYC  Sharks than ran on the Monongahela Ry?  If not, does anyone know what happened to those Sharks when the left the MRY?

[Firelock76]

Just an addendum:  I hope Mr. Larkin's  got some serious security around his premises, considering the nutsy things some people are doing nowadays to get at scrap metal: steel, copper, aluminum, iron, brass, bronze, you name it.  There's even idiots electrocuting themselves trying to steal copper from electical sub-stations.  Just unbelieveable!

[Firelock76]

I doubt the thieves give a tinkers *** at all.  Thieves are like that, you know.  At least the Sharks are still there, running or not.  Beats a scrapyard any day.

[coborn35]

Andrew Falconer

Did the current owner of the ex-D&H  Baldwin Sharks  run out of money? No.

Is the economy, cold weather, and general pace of life in the U.P. not condusive to locomotive restoration?

Andrew

There is more at play here than I care to explain over a railfan forum, but suffice to say within the next 20 years the Sharks should see the light of day. John did exactly what I would have done. You wanna break in and steal my stuff? Fine. @#$%#@ you. Your loss. They are locked away and have not been touched in about 30-35 years now. I really wonder how the thieves who caused this feel? Like they messed up EVERYTHING for everyone. Fun thing to have on your conscience There are over 20 various Baldwins, passenger cars, Super Domes, Shays, locomotives and etc in Larkins Toybox. They will see the light of day before 2035 I would imagine, so dont give up hope.

[Andrew Falconer]

Did the current owner of the ex-D&H  Baldwin Sharks  run out of money?

Is the economy, cold weather, and general pace of life in the U.P. not condusive to locomotive restoration?

Andrew

[big steve]

I know they have been in storage in Michigan since the late 80's, just curious if they may ever see the light of day again. I understand the owner is upset over some damage & theft in the shop they are stored in many years back. What a shame.

 

Steve