2019 Nominations for ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark Status: Rail Transportation Category

Abstract

Abstract The ASME Rail Transportation Division submitted five nominations in 2019 for ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark status. The nominations are for examples of significant railway technologies involving mechanical engineering and built between 1920 and 1964: 1. SBB 14253 “Crocodile” locomotive (1920): pioneering electric heavy-duty Swiss mountain locomotive, with pioneering features found in many subsequent electric locomotives. 2. Winton 8-201 prototype diesel engine (1933): only surviving of two experimental engines which preceded all GM-Electro-Motive 2-stroke cycle diesel engines for locomotives and other applications; first locomotive diesel engine with lightweight welded steel crankcase and unitized fuel injectors. 3. B&O 50 locomotive (1935): sole surviving example of the first (5) standalone, modular, non-articulated high-speed diesel locomotives from Electro-Motive, functional prototypes for the later “E” passenger and “FT” freight locomotives. 4. Cooper-Bessemer prototype diesel engine (1953): sole surviving example of (4) predecessor 4-stroke cycle diesel engines built for GE Transportation for field test locomotives prior to GE becoming a domestic locomotive manufacturer. 5. SP 9010 locomotive (1964): sole surviving example of (21) experimental German-built diesel locomotives for heavy-duty US mountain railroad operation using a hydromechanical torque converter transmission instead of electric traction motors; proved concept of higher-power and improved wheel-to-rail adhesion. All five nominations were submitted to the ASME national History & Heritage Committee for review. This paper provides a description of each nomination and the status of each proposed railroad Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.