Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum

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No. 1 (Whitcomb), 1941
Builder: Whitcomb Locomotive Works (Rochelle, Illinois)
Type: 44-ton diesel-electric switcher
Wheel Arrangement: B-B
Classification: Locomotive
Original Owner/Use: Ann Arbor Railroad, for yard switching and light freight duties

The No. 1 Whitcomb is a historic 44-ton diesel-electric center-cab switcher, emblematic of the early dieselization era in American railroading. Built during World War II, this compact locomotive was designed for industrial and short-line duties, featuring two diesel engines: one a Hercules the other a Continental. It holds significance as the Ann Arbor Railroad’s first diesel locomotive, marking a shift from steam power. Today, it is preserved by the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum (TLE&W) as part of our collection, highlighting the transition to modern motive power in Northwest Ohio’s rail heritage.

Build and Early Service

• Constructed by the Whitcomb Locomotive Company in 1941 with serial number 60035, specifically for the Ann Arbor Railroad, which made it their inaugural diesel locomotive.
• Designed as a 44-ton center-cab switcher for versatile tasks in yards, industries, and short lines, avoiding the need for heavier crew requirements under union rules.
• Served the Ann Arbor Railroad reliably in Michigan, handling switching and light freight amid the demands of wartime and postwar rail operations.
• Equipped with dual 150-horsepower engines: one a Hercules the other a Continental. Each diesel is connected to a generator, powering traction motors on all axles.

Service Life and Retirement

• Operated by the Ann Arbor Railroad until the mid-20th century, when it was sold to the Dundee Cement Company for continued industrial use.
• Upon retirement from Dundee Cement, acquired by the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway (TLE&W) in the early 1970s to support their heritage operations.
• Utilized by TLE&W for excursion trains, equipment movements, and tourist activities.
• Withdrawn from active service in the early 2010s following mechanical needs, now stored awaiting full restoration to operational condition.

Preservation and Current Ownership

• Since acquisition, the locomotive remains on display in our south yard in Grand Rapids, Ohio, alongside other historical equipment like the Detroit Edison No. 202.
• Efforts for restoration have been ongoing, with plans to return it to 100% operational status as a symbol of early diesel technology; it currently awaits mechanical overhauls and cosmetic work.
• The No. 1 Whitcomb serves as a symbol of the diesel revolution in railroading, and visitors can view it at the museum site (interactive map available for location details).

Specifications

Attribute	Details
Builder	Whitcomb Locomotive Works (Rochelle, Illinois)
Built	1941
Serial Number	60035
Model	44-ton diesel-electric center-cab switcher
Wheel Arrangement	B-B
Prime Mover	Dual engines: one Hercules, one Continental (each 150 hp)
Horsepower	300 hp total
Traction Motors	Four (one per axle)
Length	Approximately 33–35 feet (typical for Whitcomb 44-ton center-cab)
Weight	44 tons (88,000 lbs)
Fuel Capacity	Not specified (typical diesel fuel bunker)
Top Speed	Approximately 30–40 mph (typical for industrial switchers)
Status	Withdrawn from service early 2010s; on static display awaiting restoration

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