Pennsylvania Railroad Baldwin DR-4-4-15 "Sharknose" No. 9704 at Ebenezer, New York, June 10, 1955. Photographer unknown.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.webador.com/v2/website/3264350)
DR-4-4-1500 BABYFACE and SHARKNOSE
The Baldwin DR-4-4-15 was a 1,500-horsepower (1,100 kW) cab unit-type diesel locomotive built for freight service by the Baldwin Locomotive Works between November 1947 and June 1950. It was produced in two different body types, nicknamed the "Babyface" and "Sharknose" styles by railfans, though Baldwin used the same model number for both. 22 "Babyface" cab-equipped A units were built, along with 11 cabless booster B units; 36 "Sharknose" A units and 36 B units were constructed, making a total for all models of 105 locomotives built.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad, who owned a total 12 units, disliked the fact that the locomotives were not MU capable with EMD, etc., locomotives without the use of special equipment.
Original buyers
"Babyface" units produced (1947–1948)
| Railroad | Quantity A units | Quantity B units | Road numbers A units | Road numbers B units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Railroad of New Jersey | 10 | 5 | 70–79 | K, L, M, R, S | |
| Missouri Pacific Railroad | 8 | 4 | 201–208 | 201B–204B | |
| New York Central Railroad | 4 | 2 | 3400–3403 | 3700–3701 | Renumbered 3800–3803 (A) |
| Totals | 22 | 11 |
"Sharknose" units produced (1949–1950)
| Railroad | Quantity A units | Quantity B units | Road numbers A units | Road numbers B units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Locomotive Works (demonstrators) | 2 | 2 | 6001A, 6001A1 | 6001B, 6001B1 | to Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad No. 700A/No. 701A (A) No. 700B/No. 701B (B), then to Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 847, 849 (A) 847X, 849X (B), later 4200–4201 (A), 5200–5201 (B). |
| Pennsylvania Railroad | 34 | 34 | 9568A–9593A, 9700A–9707A | 9568B–9593B, 9700B–9707B | 9700A,B–9707A,B were equipped with Baldwin RF-16 bodies and Westinghouse 370G generator, and are therefore referred to by some as "RF-15s." 9583B repowered with an Alco 251B V12 prime mover in December 1959, renumbered 9632B. converted to mobile power unit by Sullian Trail Colliery in 1991, scrapped in 1992. |
| Totals | 36 | 36 |
Central Railroad of New Jersey Baldwin DR-4-4-15 "Babyface" No. 77 at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1966. Photographer unknown.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/50703969671/)
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-electric
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Model: DR-4-4-1500
Build date: November 1947 – June 1950
Total produced: 105
Specifications
Configuration:
• AAR B-B
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Trucks: AAR Type B
Prime mover: 608SC
Engine type: Four-stroke diesel
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Generator: Westinghouse 471A
Traction motors: Westinghouse 370F (4)
Cylinders: 8
Gear ratio: 15:63
Couplers: AAR type E knuckle
Performance figures
Power output: 1,500 hp (1.12 MW)
Career
Operators: Missouri Pacific, New York Central, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Pennsylvania Railroad, Elgin, Joliet and Eastern, Baltimore and Ohio
Class: PRR- BF15/BF15a, NYC- DFA-4a, CNJ- FD-43
Nicknames: Babyface / Sharknose
Locale: North America
Scrapped: 1962 (B&O, NYC, MP) 1963 (CNJ) 1966 (PRR)
Disposition: All scrapped.
Central Railroad of New Jersey Baldwin DR-4-4-15 70 at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1964. Photographer: Neil Shankweiler.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/50703923366/)
