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The first Baldwin-built locomotive was named Old Ironsides and was a direct copy of the Robert Stephenson-designed Planet type locomotive they had earlier assembled. Many more followed.
Baldwin was very soon the largest locomotive builder in the United States, and possibly worldwide. In 1951, Baldwin merged with Lima-Hamilton; the new company was named Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton.
From the early years of the 20th century Baldwin had a relationship with the Westinghouse Electric Company to build electric locomotiveAn Electric Locomotive is a locomotive powered by electric motors which draws current from an overhead wire, a third rail, or an on-board storage device such as a battery or a flywheel energy storage system. The first known electric locomotive was built bs for American and foreign markets. The electric locomotive was increasingly popular; electrification was expensive, but for high traffic levels or mountainous terrain it could pay for itself, and in addition some cities like New York were banning the steam locomotive because of its pollution and the propensity for accidents in smoke-choked terminals. Baldwin built or subcontracted out the bodywork and running gear, and Westinghouse built the electrical gear.
Baldwin produced small gas-mechanical internal combustion engineAn internal combustion engine is an engine that is powered by the expansion of hot combustion products of fuel directly acting within an engine. A piston internal combustion engine works by burning hydrocarbon or hydrogen fuel that presses on a piston; and locomotives from about 1910Events January events January 13 The first live musical radio program. Lee De Forest broadcasts a live performance of Enrico Caruso from the Metropolitan Opera. January 26 ? Seine floods in Paris. February events February 8 The Boy Scouts of America is in to 1928Centuries: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s Years: 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 See also 1928 in aviation 1928 in film 1928 in literature 1928 in mu, and some experimental diesel locomotives. The latter, like the electric locomotives, used Westinghouse electrical gear in a diesel-electricA number of vehicles use a diesel-electric powerplant for providing locomotion. A diesel-electric powerplant includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric motors. The most well-known vehicle to us configuration. In 1939Events January-June January 2 End of term for Frank Finley Merriam, 28th Governor of California. He is succeeded by Culbert Levy Olson. January 24 Earthquake kills 30. 000 in Chile about 50. 000 sq mi razed January 26 Falangists take Barcelona January 26, Baldwin began to sell a standard line of diesel switchers, and in 1945, a line of road diesels.
A full list of Baldwin diesel locomotives belongs elsewhere, but Baldwin locomotives, while fairly successful in the marketplace, did not do so well as others. Baldwins, thanks to their hefty Westinghouse electrical equipment, were good heavy haulers, but the engines were less reliable than the EMD and even ALCO competition.
Westinghouse pulled out of the heavy traction equipment market in 1953, and Baldwin did not last much longer. Some late Baldwin equipment used General Electric electrical equipment, but Baldwin built its last locomotive in 1956.
Locomotive manufacturers