Great Western 60

Great Western 60
BR&W No. 60 running light on September 18, 2016
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder American Locomotive Company Serial number 69021 Build date August 1937
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 2-8-0 Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Driver dia. 51 in (1,295 mm) Wheelbase 57.20 ft (engine and tender) Adhesive weight 141,500 lb (64.2 tonnes) Loco weight 161,000 lb (73.0 tonnes) Tender weight 149,600 lb (67.9 tonnes) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 12 long tons (12 t) Water cap. 8,000 imp gal (36,000 L; 9,600 US gal) Boiler pressure 200 lbf/in2 (1.38 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Loco brake SA6 Train brakes 6ET
Performance figures Tractive effort 31,287 lbf (139.17 kN) Factor of adh. 4.52
Career Operators Great Western Black River and Western Railroad Numbers GW 60 BR&W 60 Locale Colorado (original), New Jersey (Preserved) Delivered September 1937 Retired 1950s Restored 1965 Current owner Black River and Western Railroad Disposition Undergoing 1,472-day inspection and overhaul
References:

Great Western 60 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in August 1937 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York. It currently operates on the Black River and Western Railroad (BR&W) in Ringoes, New Jersey It was one of two operating Great Western steam locomotives with No. 90 being the other one.

History

Revenue service

No. 60 originally operated on the Great Western Railroad (GW) in Colorado where it pulled sugar beet and molasses trains. During World War II, a smokebox extension was added to allow the use of poor quality coal because of war-time restrictions, No. 60 would continue to work in revenue service until being retired in the late 1950s. In 1963, No. 60 was purchased by the newly formed short line Black River and Western Railroad for tourist excursion service. It pulled the first train out of Flemington in 1965.

Black River and Western Railroad

During its tenure running on the Black River & Western, 60 has undergone several cosmetic changes through the years. The current paint scheme resembles a mid-sized freight locomotive, with a graphite smokebox and black drivers.

While No. 60 was bought by the Black River & Western in 1963, it has ventured off the railroad several times. In 1967, the locomotive ran excursions on the Long Island Railroad out of Jamaica, New York. It is rumored that she reached a speed of 55MPH with a 14-car long train during these trips. 60 also visited the Whippany Railway Museum in 1994 for a railroad festival alongside New York, Susquehanna and Western 142.

The locomotive was used as the primary motive power for the railroad when in service. The locomotive was taken out of service in November 2000 for a mandatory 1,472-inspection required by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) which took almost twelve years to complete. The locomotive returned to service in August 2012. The locomotive is in its 1472-Day Inspection as of November 2023.