Late in 1949 General Electric completed the first of three unorthodox industrial diesel locomotives for the Whitin Machine Works of Whitinsville, Mass., a manufacturer of knitting looms and woolen-making machinery. The engines were ungainly beasts more than vaguely reminiscent of a standard GE 44-tonner. The 23-ton units were held to 50" wide due to close clearances within the plant. Rated at 150-hp., GE classified them B-B-46/46-4GHM844; they had a top speed in the 25-mph. range. They were used to haul both four- and eight-wheel dump, flat and gondola cars until phased out of the plant operations as part of a reorganization.
At least two of the trio went to the Edaville two foot gauge museum railroad at South Carver, Mass.; the other surfaced on the Steam Village Railroad in Guilford, N.H. All three were reportedly rescued from the clutches of a Worcester, Mass., junk dealer. Edaville rebuilt their units with running boards and handrails--Bob Hayden
At least two of the trio went to the Edaville two foot gauge museum railroad at South Carver, Mass.; the other surfaced on the Steam Village Railroad in Guilford, N.H. All three were reportedly rescued from the clutches of a Worcester, Mass., junk dealer. Edaville rebuilt their units with running boards and handrails--Bob Hayden
Pictures copyright: Railroad Model Craftsman, November 1974. Julian Carver and Bob Hayden.