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202 (Detroit Edison), 1920
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Type: Steam Locomotive
Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0 Switcher
Classification: Industrial Switcher
Original Owner/Use: Detroit Edison, for switching coal and materials at power plants
This 0-6-0 switcher, originally built for industrial use, now stands as a historical artifact representing early 20th-century rail operations in utility companies. It is currently on static display while awaiting potential restoration funds.
Build and Early Service
- Constructed by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1920 with serial number 52792, specifically for Detroit Edison, a major Michigan utility company.
- Designed as a robust 0-6-0 switcher for heavy-duty industrial tasks, such as moving coal cars and other freight within power plant yards.
- Served Detroit Edison reliably for decades, handling the demands of electricity generation infrastructure during the early to mid-20th century.
- Equipped with standard features for its era, including Walschaert valve gear, though exact specifications like cylinder dimensions (potentially 24″ x 28″) and driver diameter remain documented in historical records.
Service Life and Retirement
- Operated by Detroit Edison until the 1960s, when diesel locomotives began replacing steam in industrial settings.
- Upon retirement, donated to the Michigan Railroad Club, where it was placed on display in a park in Monroe, Michigan, for nine years.
- Acquired by the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway (TLE&W) in 1973, with the condition from the donors to restore it to operating condition within 18 months.
- Restored and returned to service in late 1974, just 11 months after acquisition, and used to haul excursion trains on the TLE&W line between Waterville and Grand Rapids, Ohio, until 1982.
- Withdrawn from service in 1982 following a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) inspection that identified the need for a major overhaul.
Preservation and Current Ownership
- Since 1982, the locomotive has been preserved by TLE&W and remains on display in their yard in Grand Rapids, Ohio, alongside other historical equipment.
- Efforts for restoration have been discussed over the years, including a push starting in 2009, though it currently awaits funding and resources for a full return to operation.
- The 202 serves as a symbol of the transition from steam to diesel in industrial and short-line railroading, and visitors can view it at the museum site (interactive map available for location details).
Specifications
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Builder | Baldwin Locomotive Works (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Built | 1920 |
| Serial Number | 52792 |
| Wheel Arrangement | 0-6-0 |
| Type | Industrial Switcher |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (standard) |
| Driver Diameter | 50–56 inches (typical for Baldwin industrial 0-6-0s of the era) |
| Cylinders | 20–24 in diameter × 26–28 in stroke (common range; exact for 202 likely 24 × 28 in or similar) |
| Valve Gear | Walschaerts |
| Boiler Pressure | 180–200 psi (typical for this class) |
| Tractive Effort | ~35,000–40,000 lbs (estimated for similar Baldwin industrial 0-6-0s) |
| Weight on Drivers | Approximately 140,000–160,000 lbs |
| Total Weight | Approximately 150,000–170,000 lbs (engine only; no tender as switcher) |
| Fuel Capacity | Coal (tender or bunker; specific not listed) |
| Water Capacity | (Tender or side tanks; specific not listed) |
| Status | On static display (acquired 1973; last operated 1982) |
Collection Details
Preserved in the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum outdoor collection
If you have any materials directly related to this historical asset that you have interest in transferring to TLE&W, please communicate with us.
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