I have finally begun making preparations for moving one of the 70 ton locomotives from Ellwood Engineered Castings in Hubbard to the Tod Engine Heritage Park. The 6114B, painted red, will join our other equipment at the park in 2009.
The locomotive was retired after an incredible 65 years of service, and over 40 of those years were spent in the Valleys. Built in November, 1942 by General Electric in Erie, PA, the locomotive was sold to the New York Central where it was used for mainly switching passenger cars in passenger terminals. By the early 1960s it was sold to Cambria Slag and used in Sharpsville, PA. The locomotive then moved to Standard Slag in Youngstown where it served until the late 1970s or early 1980s when it and a sister locomotive was sold to Valley Mould & Iron in Hubbard. Valley Mould later became Valley Vulcan Mold before closing. The plant was reopened as Ellwood Engineered Castings and the locomotive again was placed back in service. During 1999-2000 yours truly worked at EEC and operated this locomotive on many occasions. The first photo shows the 6114B on a Saturday in the winter of 1999 on a day when I had my camera with me in the plant. Compare that to the second photo taken of the locomotive three days before Christmas, 2008.
We plan to do minimal restoration work on the locomotive which will include a thorough cleaning and a new paint job. We will not repair any of the battle damage that the locomotive has received over its career, instead choosing to show that damage as an example of the rough service which mill engines must endure. The locomotive is operational and will remain in operational condition as we intend to use its two diesel electric generators to provide 250 volts DC power to operate our Morgan Crane.
