Trains.com

What is this?

3537 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Sunday, July 21, 2013 11:58 PM

The Second Diesel Spotters Guide published by Kalmbach  has a photo on page MISC-413 of a "Westinghouse 530- hp duel engine hood unit"  there was a 4-cylinder 265-hp inline engine under each hood.  Caption: "The first unit was Cheswick & Harmar #5, built in 1933" 

 While very similar the loco in the  photo has some very visible differences from the posted photos of HRR #5.  Main differences are the position of the cab side window (it's not centered), what appear to be louvers on the hood sides ), exhaust pipe not visible, no box in front of the cab, and different number of stanchions on the side handrails..

Trucks and underbody (air tanks etc)  appear the same. The owner of the loco in the photo is not identified. There were 4 locos built from 1933 and 1935. The locos may not have been identical in appearance, however it is likely the appearance of the loco changed over the years.  It is also  possible that the loco does not have the original engines 

Tags: screend

I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.

I don't have a leg to stand on.

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • 384 posts
Posted by Redore on Sunday, July 21, 2013 10:13 PM

It's hard to see the details but it appears to be the domestic version of a Whitcomb locomotive.  They also made a low clearance cab version for use by the Military in WW II.  Some of those also made it into commercial use here.

http://www.expressmetalsrecycling.com/whitcomb locomotive.jpg

  • Member since
    February 2012
  • 487 posts
Posted by rfpjohn on Sunday, July 21, 2013 9:10 PM

I think it may be a pre-war Westinghouse unit. Somewhere I've got a book with a collection of photos of northeast shortlines. I think this beast is among them. I'll keep digging.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Sunday, July 21, 2013 7:54 PM

A better look at CHH 5 is here:

and while that may have GE running gear, it's older than any 80-tonner I've seen.  I'd say '30s.  Somebody break out the Diesel Spotter's Guide.

For a better view of the doors and openings on the hoods, here is a 1970 view (watermarked by the seller) that was offered on eBay:

  • Member since
    June 2011
  • 404 posts
What is this?
Posted by DavidH66 on Sunday, July 21, 2013 2:42 PM

 is this a GE 80 Ton? The whole windows in the front and back of the cab throw me off.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy