The United States Army Transportation Corps S160 Class is a class of 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotives. They were designed for use in Europe during World War II for heavy freight work. Outnumbering other war-time railroad engines, they were simple to maintain with the close clearance required for the narrow bridges and tunnels on European railroads. They were stripped down for war action, and acquired the nickname"Gypsy Rose Lee" locomotives after the famous burlesque dancer. A total of 2,120 were built and they worked on railroads across the world, including Africa, Asia, all of Europe and South America.
History[]
These engines were built between 1942–1946 by Alco, Baldwin Locomotive Works, and the Lima Locomotive Works for the United States Army Transportation.
During the 1930s, the United States Army Transportation Corps approved an update of a Baldwin Locomotive Works World War I design, in contingency for war transportation, to create the S159 Class. During the period of World War II, when America was neutral, the government of Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the Lend-Leasesupply to the United Kingdom of the S200 Class, designed specifically to fit into the restricted British loading gauge.
Preserved Locomotives[]
At least 26 of these locomotives have been preserved. Some are on static display while others are still operational at tourist and heritage railroads.
- Tennessee Valley Railroad No. 610
- Great Smoky Mountains Railroad No. 1702
- United States Army No. 606
- United States Army No. 607
- United States Army No. 611
- United States Army No. 1611
- United States Army No. 1631
- United States Army No. 2253 "Omaha"
- United States Army No. 2630
- United States Army No. 5820
- Alaska Railroad No. 556
- Alaska Railroad No. 557
In Fiction[]
- United States Army No. 5820 had a staring roll in "The Railway Children Return" and a brief staring roll in the 2019 live action Disney Film "Dumbo".
- Tennessee Valley Railroad No. 610 starred in the film Water for Elephants as a Southern Pacific locomotive to pull the Benzini Brothers' Circus train. It also featured in Our Country, The Adventures of Ociee Nash, Leatherheads, and The Lost Valentine.
Trivia[]
- The S160s were designed to be built quickly and inexpensively, not for a long operational period. Thus, compromises in design and material quality led to some difficulties in service.
- The axle-box grease-lubricators were not very reliable, particularly when maintenance procedures lapsed or were delayed due to wartime conditions, so axle-boxes often ran hot.
Gallery[]
