Builders Information
WVC #82 was built by General Motors in La Grange, Illinois, in October 1948 as a BL2 for the Western Maryland Railway, one of just 58 total “branch-line” series road switchers built by EMD. The WM used #82 for a myriad of freight-related services but mainly relegated both of its BL2 locomotives to yard-switching duties. In 1968, the unique locomotives were equipped with special controls for use in the Hagerstown, Maryland, hump yard, where the units would live out the rest of their careers until being taken out of regular service in 1982. Ownership of #82 was soon taken over by the West Virginia State Rail Authority, which leased the locomotive to both the Cass Scenic Railroad and the South Branch Valley Railroad. In the late 1990s, the lease was given to the West Virginia Central Railroad and subsequently DGVR, where it has operated in both freight and excursion service ever since. The locomotive was painted in the Western Maryland Railway “Fireball” scheme in 2016.
| Built:
October 1948 |
Model:
BL2 |
Type:
B-B Freight Unit |
| Engine:
EMD 567B (16 cyl, 1500 hp) |
Maximum Speed:
65 mph |
Tractive Effort:
56,200 lb (Starting) |
| Weight:
230,000 lb |
Wheel Diameter:
40 in |
Gauge:
Standard |
| Horsepower:
1,500 |
RPM:
800 |
Cylinder Size:
8 1⁄2 in × 10 in |