Brand X 80Tonners

Brand "X" 70/75/80-Ton Locomotives
Beaufort & Morehead 75-Tonner #75 at Beaufort, North Carolina -- David Burnette photo **
As the 1930s gave way to the 1940s, manufacturers of industrial locomotives were attempting to standardize designs and manufacturing processes as a means of controlling production costs, managing material resources and meeting delivery schedules. However, WWII put standardization temporarily on hold. America's military and industry had new and far greater demands that often required adaptation and innovation. It was the kind of challenge that required leadership, planning and action. Whitcomb Locomotive Works, for example, experienced the situation first-hand. Between 1942 and 1945, the Rochelle, Illinois manufacturer built four different variations from one locomotive platform (frame). It clearly illustrated the flexibility of American locomotive builders. Whitcomb's base model was intended to be a 65-tonner; but to meet war-time demands, the Rochelle company routinely created 70, 75 and 80-ton applications. Additionally, the car-body was sometimes elongated, and elevations of the cab raised and lowered. This kind of challenge was not unique only to Whitcomb. One final observation, a large percentage of 65/70/75/80-tonners produced by American builders were initially built for the U.S. Military and after the war declared surplus and sold. A few examples are provided here to facilitate future identification.
Spotting Features
Alcoa Teminal No photo Available (yet) Blank	Davenport Locomotive Works 80-Ton Raised cab with with curved roof Large radiator opening at ends Squarish headlight housing mounted above radiator grille Engine access doors with hinged covers Thick frame, with end platforms Standard industrial trucks Only one built: 1948
Budd Company #3 Kim Piersol photo	Davenport-Built / Porter-designed 80-tonner Center cab with flat roof and overhangs Square box with headlight at top of nose Clerestory along hood roof Exposed radiator at side of hood Frame with end platforms and staircase steps Two four-wheel trucks Built 1951-1956 Note: The fuel filler cap on Davenport-built units is centered below cab window, above frame
Shelly Materials Dale Devene photo	Plymouth Locomotive -- 80/100-tonner Center cab with front & rear roof overhang Horizontal twin-beam headlight at top of nose Radiator area above walkway at side of hood Frame with end platforms and staircase steps Two four-wheel trucks Handrails along hood above radiator vents Designed during Korean War (74 units)
Atlantic & Western #101 Bob Wilt photo **	H.K. Porter -- 80-tonner "Porter" stamped at base of nose, above walkway Raised center cab (3 steps) with flat roof Large headlight above radiator Cleretory on roof of hood Frame with end platforms and staircase steps Two four-wheel trucks Four tall louvered engine access doors + two short Built 1943-1948 Note: Lifting lugs on hood appear to be unique to this model and Davenport
Beech Mountain no# Photographer unknown **	Whitcomb Locomotive -- 70/75/80-tonner (post-WWll) Raised center cab with front & rear roof overhang Large headlight at top of nose Five engine access doors Slotted vents above access doors Vertical radiator opening in hood, adjacent to cab Two four-wheel trucks Frame with end platforms and staircase steps
Cargill no# Photographer unknown **	Whitcomb Locomotive -- 80-tonner (post 1952) Raised center cab with front & rear roof overhang Squares-edged nose with small headlight Five engine access doors, except above air compressor box on walkway Radiator opening on roof hood. Two four-wheel trucks Frame with end platforms and staircase steps
Notes and Reference sources: Critters, Dinkys & Centercabs by Jay Reed The Second Diesel Spotters Guide by Jerry A. Pinkepank Locomotive Encyclopedia (1952 & 1956) by Simons-Boardman Utah Rails website by Don Strack ** Photo from R. Craig collection
Formatted by: R.Craig New: 1 November 2019

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