Baldwin No. 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Baldwin No. 26 hauling the regular train of Steamtown. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Baldwin No. 26 is an 0-6-0 "Switcher" type steam locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in March 1929 as one of several "stock" switchers equipped with a slope-backed tender.
While working at JI&S, the locomotive's career is relatively unknown, but the locomotive's career is known to have lasted unusually late for a steam locomotive in revenue service, it continued service with JI&S until being retired from revenue service, it is unknown when No. 26 last ran for JI&S. In 1979, the locomotive was purchased by Jerry Jacobson who saved the locomotive from scrap with only hours to spare; the scrapper hired to cut up the locomotive already had his gear in the engine house in preparation to dismantle the locomotive. The locomotive arrived on property in January 1990.
Upon arriving at Steamtown, it was painted black with white lettering albeit in the same style as its original Baldwin Locomotive Works livery and restored it to operating condition were it began pulling excursion trains in the summer of 1990. After nine years in operation, the engine made its last run in December 1999 and was taken out of service indefinitely for its FRA-mandated 5-year inspection and rebuilt.
After entering the shops, it was discovered the engine and the entire inner firebox, and portions of the boiler were in imminent need of replacement. After fifteen years of rebuilt work, the locomotive returned to steam on December 10, 2015 and made several test runs. It would eventually make its excursion return on April 17, 2016.
Today, it is currently a part of the operating fleet at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, Pennsylvania for use on excursion trains.
Trivia[]
- The locomotive was infamously known for its bell sound being used in various movies, TV Shows, video games, and other media.
- Following the official opening of the park, the 26 became the primary power on Steamtown's short Scranton Limited trains between the museum complex and just beyond the former DL&W Scranton station.