Research Guides: Baldwin Locomotive Works : Overview

This guide is intended to help researchers worldwide discover available resources about Baldwin Locomotive Works in DeGolyer Library.

Historical Note

Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was the most successful builder of locomotives in the world. The company was founded by Matthias W. Baldwin, who was a jeweler before he began producing steam engines for locomotives in 1832. Over the years the company formed many partnerships, before filing for bankruptcy in 1972.

1831 Matthias W. Baldwin
1839 Baldwin, Vail & Hufty
1841 Baldwin & Vail
1842 Baldwin & Whitney
1846 M. W. Baldwin
1854 M. W. Baldwin & Company
1867 M. Baird & Company
1873 Burnham, Parry, Williams & Company
1891 Burnham, Williams & Company
1909 Baldwin Locomotive Works
1911 The Baldwin Locomotive Works
1951 Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation

Primary Resources in DeGolyer Library

The Collection of Baldwin Locomotive Works records, 1856-1956 contains the bulk of all Baldwin materials in the DeGolyer Library. Most research requests from railroad historians, locomotive restorers, and people who make model railroads ask for these specific resources:

Collection of Baldwin Locomotive Works records, 1856-1956 Finding Aid
This finding aid provides an overview of the Collection of Baldwin Locomotive Works housed at DeGolyer Library.
Baldwin construction number roster books
13 rosters listing Baldwin locomotives by their construction number span the years 1833-1956. This resource is helpful if researchers have only a Baldwin builder’s plate with a number on it, and wish to find out who was the original purchaser. These are available online and are titled “Baldwin Locomotive Works Index of Companies.”
Baldwin Class and road rosters
These 5 bound volumes are arranged by class letter A, B, C, D, E, F (single expansion locomotives), and include compound locomotives.
Baldwin engine specifications, 1869-1938
78 volumes of engine specifications have been digitized and are available online.

Researchers can first look for their locomotive in these PDF files:

Baldwin specification index by purchaser
This PDF index for Baldwin specifications is arranged by railroad line.
Baldwin specification index by class
This PDF index for Baldwin specifications is arranged by Baldwin class number.

Erecting drawings – Over 4000 erecting drawings of locomotives are either a side elevation, cross section, or a combination of side elevation and cross section.

Detail drawings – Over 5700 detail drawings for locomotives include various parts of the locomotive.

Baldwin detail drawings inventory PDF arranged by railroad line
Baldwin detail drawings inventory PDF arranged by class
Baldwin engine drawings
In 1910, Baldwin began keeping engine drawing data on large cards (9 5/16 x 14 3/8 in.). Records of locomotives after 1903 were transferred to the cards and continued from that point. The cards are arranged by Baldwin class numbers and include primarily dimensions of various parts of the locomotive. A selection of digitized cards from box 31 of the Baldwin collection are available in our railroads digital collection. Dates range from 1904-1933.
Baldwin Locomotive Works employee records
The library has only one volume of 1906 employee data. This volume has been digitized and it is available online. There are no other employee records.

Contact us

degolyer@smu.edu

DeGolyer Library
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P.O. Box 750396
Dallas, TX 75275-0396