ARMCO B-71 Will Be Preserved

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri Jun 14, 2013 1:12 am

Alexander D. Mitchell IV wrote:

The PTM loco was originally Great Lakes Steel 1, built between 1929 and 1931, and was returned to Westinghouse which resold it to Armco in 1942. It, too was built with the same Beardmore-license 8 1/4 x 12 engine; I believe it was re-engined (as were three other Great Lakes Steel switchers built with 9 x 12 supercharged inline 530-hp engines) with a Cooper-Bessemer engine later on in its life.

Are any of the Great Lakes Steel engines surviving, other than the PTM loco?

David H. Hamley · **Joined:** Tue Aug 24, 2004 3:07 pm **Posts:** 705

For the record, Great Lakes Steel had 5 Westinghouse diesels. Locos 1 and 2 had the normally aspirated 6 cyl. inline Westinghouse engine, built under license from Wm. Beardmore Co. of UK. Only locos 3, 4, and 5 had the supercharged 6 cyl. inline. Those 3 were the last WEMCo diesels, built c.5/37 with BLW carbodies.

The ex-Armco Steel B-73 at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum had the same 6 cyl normally aspirated engine as GLS 1-2. This engine came in two basic variations, an 8.25" bore by 12" stroke rated 300 hp and a 9x12" rated at 400 hp.

SFAIK, none of the WEMCo diesels were ever re-engined with a different model of Westinghouse engine. B-73 got a Hamilton engine, as did B-71. Cooper-Bessemer and EMD engines found their way into other WEMCo locos. The 12/69 issue of TRAINS has all the details.

B-73 recently received a new set of high capacity batteries and is once again fully operational at PTM. Come around for a visit, and if you're lucky you can hear a most remarkable anvil chorus as the mighty Hamilton is stirred to life.

Tavor · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:32 pm **Posts:** 200

Hmm. StationarySteam, your photos seem to have gone missing. Mind reuploading them? Also, does anyone know what the issue with this locomotive is? I hear that MTM is wanting back-rent for storage, but does anyone know how much they are asking, what the terms are, etc? This unit is amazing, but a bit of a white elephant to them, too historic to scrap, but too in the way and out of theme to them...

HudsonL · **Joined:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:22 am **Posts:** 548

I think showing up with a suitable flatcar would be enough.

-Hudson

Tavor · **Joined:** Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:32 pm **Posts:** 200

HudsonL wrote:

I think showing up with a suitable flatcar would be enough.

-Hudson

If that is all it would take, then I'm sure I could call up a few museums and get people talking. But... if IRM can't get it done, then who can? Makes me think there is something more going on. Like a hefty price tag or some terms and strings attached.

HudsonL · **Joined:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:22 am **Posts:** 548

Give Dave a call 651-228-0263.

-Hudson

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2016 5:36 am

B-71 is loaded on a flatcar, and will be heading to IRM sometime soon.

Jeff

Ryan Andrews · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:58 pm

Jdelhaye wrote:

B-71 is loaded on a flatcar, and will be heading to IRM sometime soon.

Jeff

This is great news for historic locomotive preservation. Is indoor storage available for this rare locomotive or will it have to sit outside for a little while until room is made?

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2016 7:17 am

http://www.atrrm.org/blog/2016/07/l-c-l ... ef=Default

Jeff

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Sat Jul 16, 2016 7:59 am

That is good news. We tried to bring it to Youngstown a while back, but were unable to secure land to put it on as our current site has no rail access.

Jdelhaye · **Posted:** Wed Aug 03, 2016 9:04 pm

It was spotted today, heading east into the Chicago area on the BNSF.

Jeff

filmteknik · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2016 9:59 am

It was last reported at Proviso. Has it been brought out to IRM yet?

via6309 · **Joined:** Sat Oct 10, 2015 12:21 pm **Posts:** 44

Readers of this post maybe interested to know that a "cousin" locomotive was also preserved - CN 77 - at Exporail / Canadian Railway Museum.

Built in December 1929 by Canadian Locomotive Co. (as #7700), it was built as a VIS-CAB design locomotive and was the first diesel switcher-type locomotive built for CN.

Retired in 1968, it was donated to the museum. During the course of its life, its original Beardmore engine was replaced by a Caterpillar engine. The original engine was also saved and later, also came to the museum.

CTA4453 · **Joined:** Sat Aug 24, 2013 3:25 am **Posts:** 81

filmteknik wrote:

It was last reported at Proviso. Has it been brought out to IRM yet?

Delivered 0445 Aug 17, 2016

fwschmidt · **Joined:** Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:19 pm **Posts:** 1

Just a bit more info on the B-71.
In addition to the ownership history of the above unit, it is my understanding that B-71 was at one time owned by Mr. Clinton Jones in connection with the Algoma Railroad Company. ARC was a tourist railroad which operated in Wisconsin between Algoma and Casco Jct. in the mid to late 1970's.
B-71 may have operated on the ARC property but I'm not sure. One of the stable mates of B-71 was a GE/Ingersoll/Rand unit, const. #12237, Milw. Solvay Coke Company, #105. Builders date was 1937. If I'm correct this unit may have been scrapped.
Certainly is good to hear that B-71 has found a good home.