Oh boy, a business trip to Folsom, New Jersey—check the map and see if there are any good railroads around there. Hmmm, there’s the SMS Rail Lines in Bridgeport, the home of just about all the running Baldwin diesels in the USA, if not the world. Having been there a decade ago and not seeing any running Baldwins, I was happy to have another crack at them. Baldwins and Alcos are personal favorites, so I sent a quick email to the SMS and was rewarded with an invite to visit the shop.
After getting a bit grubby at a galvanizing plant and a quick Wawa stop on The Black Horse Pike, I found myself at the busy SMS main gate. After gaining entry and getting a release from Jim Pfeiffer in the office, I entered the very neat shop, expecting to be in all-Baldwin nirvana. But wait, what do I spy in the middle of the yard, but an . . . Alco FA2! Now, hold on a minute, what’s this doing here? Jim explained that it was here for restoration and showed their recent bodywork (which was very nice) and said, “We’re waiting on radiators right now.”
The 309 is a pet project, but it is moving forward-slowly. Who’d have ever expected to see the distinctive shapes of an FA2 and AS616 side by side?
I wandered through the yard, looking over the various Baldwin Locomotive Works switchers and finally gravitated back into the shop, passing two rebuilt 606 prime movers, before coming face to face with an old LTV/Erie Mining Baldwin in for a heavy rebuild—there looked to be more new metal than old on the frame and carbody. Next to her was BLW #301 receiving rebuilt trucks, and finally, back in a far corner, a lonely 0-6-0 switcher sat dismantled, also undergoing a slow restoration. One of the shop men was next to the steamer and we started a conversation about the various projects and the ages of the equipment. “This steam engine is old, but there’s a Baldwin diesel outside that’s even older. It dates to 1940.”
A diesel older than a steam loco? That’s another thing you’d never expect to see.
Geez, you couldn’t have a Baldwin running for me today?
I inquired about parts for BLW diesels and was told, “We have spares from purchased locomotives and what we can’t buy, we make.” Sounds like another shop I’m familiar with.
As the conversation wound down, I heard a horn signaling the return of the SMS switching crew from duty in the industrial park. Another, “Oh boy!” moment as I expected to see a living and breathing Baldwin but instead, what do I spy but an ex ATSF 4-axle GE! That sure looked strange sitting amongst all those Baldwins!
On my way out, I mentioned the GE to my host and he laughed, telling me, “That’s from our New York operation. It’s in for some work.”
To which I replied, “ Geez, you couldn’t have a Baldwin running for me today?”
It was just another one of those days where you expect one thing and find another—or two.
Kevin N. Tomasic – Photographs and text Copyright 2019
Great story! You just described what many of us rail fans don’t do enough: to look out for the unexpected. I
Kevin, you captured the feeling of expectation and excitement that every railfan feels when searching out something new. Endless anticipation for what lies ahead, just around the next corner. Great article!
Stu and Bob…thanks for the compliments. That FA2 sure was some surprise.
Great story, Kevin…… quite enjoyable. I had to smile at the description of a diesel being older than a steam engine. We have that exact situation at our NRHS chapter’s rail storage and restoration yard outside of Richmond, VA. Our 0-6-0 Porter switcher is about 5 years junior to a 1939 Davenport center-cab.
Great photos.