Diesel of the Day 7/19: Baldwin RF-16
15Today’s diesel is a bit obscure: the Baldwin RF-16 slanted the opposite way from the well-known EMD F7, with a nose that slopes inversely forward. They were nicknamed ‘Sharks’ due to their appearance. Between 1950 and 1953, Baldwin built 160 of them. Equally unusual is the engine that powered them: Baldwin’s own 608A, an inline 8 cylinder four-stroke turbocharged diesel producing 1,750 horsepower. The RF-16 became known by the railroads who bought it as a tough, reliable diesel that could pull heavy trains with ease. However, only two units survive today, both ex-New York Central, and are secretively hidden away by a private owner in Michigan. The photo today shows one in service with the Delaware & Hudson railroad. I love their ‘Bluebonnet’ paint scheme, which you may remember from an earlier DotD. 
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That’s a cool-looking train!
@daveinwarsh Totally! The ‘Sharks’ were definitely unique.
Must’ve been the last of Baldwin - they were a local locomotive company. Apparently they did pretty well for a while - I’ve been to the Baldwin estate, pretty ritzy!
@aetris They were one of several old steam locomotive builders who attempted to adapt to diesel. Only Alco lasted longer; Baldwin didn’t do too bad. At one time, three former steam companies (Baldwin, Lima, and Hamilton) merged their collective might into one company, BLH, to try and remain competitive, but it just didn’t work out. In the end, EMD, Alco, and later GE, took over the market.
Here’s a neat simulation.
@therealjrn @pooltoywolf
Wonder what those pipes/rails on the roof would be for? Kinda ruins the great lines of that engine.
@compunaut @therealjrn In that image, they are a radio antenna for the trainline phone system. Used by the crew to talk to each other, and to dispatch.
@PooltoyWolf @therealjrn Hmph… even airplane antennas of the time weren’t that bulky.
/image P-51 antenna
@compunaut @therealjrn Different frequencies! The size and length of a good antenna is dependent on the wavelength it is sending and/or receiving. I think trainline antennas look quite nice, honestly.
@PooltoyWolf @therealjrn All it takes is a freakin’ wire, for crissakes - doesn’t have to be a sewer pipe.
@compunaut @therealjrn What you’re looking at is a cable supported by posts to make it rigid. The length of the cable is directly proportional to the intended frequency, so the size is necessary in a lot of cases. Also remember this installation is over 50 years old
@compunaut Not necessarily. If it’s a high power HF antenna for long range communications, a wire might melt. Airplanes can get away with small antennas because they fly at high altitudes, and their signals are not impeded by terrain or other objects on the ground.
/image loop antenna hf
@compunaut @eonfifty if you put some soapy water on that do you think you could blow giant bubbles with it?
@somf69
/image huge bubbles soap