<kuid:45651:14> NYC RF-16 3804

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The beginnings of the 'Shark' can be traced to a meeting between the most powerful railroad in the world, and one of the most prolific industrial designers of the twentieth century. In 1934, industrial designer Raymond Loewy was granted an introduction to the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad; Martin Clement. Not long after this meeting, Clement set Loewy to work on streamlining the railroad's newest electric locomotive, the GG1. In 1935, Loewy signed a retainer contract with the PRR and a long, fruitful relationship was born.

In January 1945, Baldwin Locomotive Works introduced the DR6-4-20; a 2000 horsepower, six axle, A1A-A1A passenger locomotive. The new locomotives were built in direct response to EMD's E Units, and Alco's PA/PB locos. At first, only 2 body styles were offered: the first was a rather awkward looking F Unit style, and the second had the 'babyface' carbody. The Pennsylvania Railroad liked the DR6-4-20s, and decided to award Baldwin a contract to build a small fleet (18 A units and 9 B units); but only if the company agreed to build yet another version based on a body design by Raymond Loewy. For the design of the body, Loewy wanted something that would be quite distinctive in appearance from the competition, and turned to his design of the PRR's Duplex T-1 steam locomotive - with it's 'sharknose' styling - for inspiration. Thus, the Sharks were born.

In 1947, Baldwin began producing the DR4-4-15s; a four axle, 1500 horsepower road freight cab designed specifically to compete with EMD's F Units and Alco's FAs. Built in both A and B unit configurations, the new locomotive again featured the 'babyface' carbody design. However, by 1949 Baldwin had received enough complaints about the babyface's odd, F7 styling that they decided to replace that design with the more rakish sharknose design.

By 1950, it was felt that more power was needed, and the DR4-4-15s became the 1600 horsepower RF-16s; considered by many to be the 'true' Sharks. Powered by a Westinghouse 608A, 8 cylinder in-line supercharged engine, the A unit weighed 248,000lbs and could achieve a top speed of 80mph. By the end of 1953, Baldwin (now Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton) had sold 109 RF-16 A units, and 51 B units. Baldwin ceased production of diesel-electric locomotives in 1955, and called it quits in late 1957.

Sadly, there are only two surviving Sharks left in existence. Both are former D&H 1205 & 1216, and owned by the Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad. Reportedly in a bad state of disrepair at the E&LA sheds in Michigan, their future is uncertain.

Note: The only companies to actually use the Sharks were the Pennsylvania Railroad, B&O, Monongahela Railway, New York Central, Delaware & Hudson, and the Elgin Joliet & Eastern. Any other livery is pure 'fantasy'.