Embedded Files
The Plymouth 5700 is a “switching” locomotive. Switchers do not usually move trains over long distances, instead they typically assemble trains in order for another locomotive to take over. Switchers often operate in a railyard or make short transfer runs. They may serve as the primary motive power on short branch lines or switching and terminal railroads.
Switchers are optimized for their role, being relatively low-powered but with a high starting tractive effort for getting heavy cars rolling quickly. They are geared to produce high torque but are restricted to low top speeds and have small diameter driving wheels. Switchers tend to be durable and to remain in service for a long time.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switcher_locomotive]
Copyrighted images used with permission of Robert D.
Grant, www.rgusrail.com https://www.rgusrail.com/iarwrm.html
Plymouth locomotives were first built in 1910 by the J. D. Fate Company, which became Fate- Root-Heath in 1919. All early Plymouth locomotives were powered by gasoline-burning internal combustion engines, but in 1927 the first diesel-electric was produced. The company changed its name to match its locomotive plant in the late 1950s, becoming Plymouth Locomotive Works (Ohio), changing again to Plymouth Industries in the late 1970s.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Locomotive_Works]
The Plymouth 5700’s build date is Aug. 27, 1953. It is a standard gauge, model DE with a Cummins HRB1600 diesel-electric engine capable of 300 hp. It weighs 45 tons. Ownership history is as follows (all in Council Bluffs, IA): Iowa Power & Light Co., Lake Manawa Plant; Iowa Power; Mid-America Energy; Cal Energy. It was returned to Plymouth, stripped of all power equipment, and placed on display at RailsWest in May 2007.
[PDF of Bob Lehmuth's 2013 list of Plymouth locomotives, accounting for the 7,579 known Plymouth locomotives. https://utahrails.net/loconotes/plymouth-locomotives.php]
(Webpage created by HSPC member Mark Chavez)
Page updated
Report abuse