Great Western 60

Black River and Western Railroad (Great Western) No. 60 is a 2-8-0 "Consolidation" type steam locomotive built in September 1937 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, New York, and since the railroad's opening in 1965, it has operated for the Black River and Western Railroad (BR&W) in Ringoes, New Jersey.

BR&W No. 60 running light

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder American Locomotive Company (ALCO) Serial number 69021 Build date September 1937 Rebuild date August 2012

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/in^2 (1.38 MPa) Cylinders Two, outside Cylinder size 19 in × 26 in (483 mm × 660 mm) Loco brake 26L

Performance figures Tractive effort 31,287 lbf (139.17 kN) Factor of adh. 4.52

Career Operators Great Western Numbers GW 60 BR&W 60 Locale Colorado (original), New Jersey (Preserved) Delivered September 1937 Restored August 2012 Current owner Black River and Western Railroad Disposition Operational, based in Ringoes, New Jersey

History

Locomotive 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. In 1965, No. 60 was purchased by the newly formed short line Black River and Western Railroad for tourist excursion service. Although it was used on off line excursions previously, the locomotive hauled its first train with BR&W on May 17, 1965.

BRRHT completed an intense 12-year overhaul project in August 2012 in time for the engine's 75th anniversary.

In 2013, locomotive No. 60 was painted into a late 1950s Great Western livery for a photo charter. The new paint scheme included the addition of white trim on the driving wheels and running board and aluminum paint on the smokebox. Magnetic "Great Western" lettering was added to the tender and white diamonds with the number 60 were added to the sides of the cab.

To commemorate Black River and Western's 50th Anniversary in 2015, the number plate was painted black and gold representing the "Golden Anniversary". During the 50th anniversary festivities, a bottle of champagne was opened on one of the driving wheels of locomotive No. 60 by the New Jersey Assistant Secretary of State, Carol Cronheim.

In September 2017, the railroad celebrated the locomotive's 80th anniversary with a special event passenger excursion.

For the 2018 season, the locomotive was painted with a graphite smokebox. This is similar to how it might have appeared during World War II. The diamonds on the cab and "Black River" both still remain on the tender.

References

• "Pictures of GWR 60". Railroad Pictures Archive.
• "Pictures of BRW 60". Railroad Pictures Archive.
• "Black River and Western to Mark 50 Years". Trains Magazine. Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. May 12, 2015.