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This Saturday edition of Railfan Video Of The Day features a rare treat – a one-of-a-kind diesel-electric locomotive in operation pulling a passenger excursion train on an award-winning scenic railway. The locomotive is Whitewater Valley #25, originally owned by the Cincinnati Union Terminal railroad, one of only 174 diesel-electric locomotives ever built by the Lima-Hamilton Corporation and the only one still operating today!

The Lima Locomotive Works of Lima, Ohio was one of the “Big 3” steam locomotive builders, along with ALCO and Baldwin. Lima’s line of “Super Power” steamers was recognized as the pinnacle of steam locomotive power and efficiency. However, by 1949 demand for new steam locomotives had evaporated so Lima merged with General Machinery Corporation of Hamilton, Ohio to form the Lima-Hamilton Corporation and to produce diesel-electric locomotives.

While Lima-Hamilton diesels were well-built and dependable, they were latecomers to the diesel locomotive market and it was difficult to find buyers in a market already dominated by EMD, ALCO, and Baldwin. As a result, only 174 Lima-Hamilton locomotives were built between 1949 and 1951, when Lima-Hamilton merged with former rival Baldwin to become Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. The new company ceased production of the Lima-Hamilton models, hoping to consolidate sales of the Baldwin line. Ultimately, this strategy failed and Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton exited the locomotive market in 1956.

Whitewater Valley #25 is a 750 hp model, one of only six originally built for coach yard switching on the Cincinnati Union Terminal railroad. It was acquired by the Whitewater Valley in 1973 and has been in regular service pulling passenger excursions over the award-winning scenic railway between Connersville and Metamora, Indiana since that time. It is the only Lima-Hamilton locomotive in operation in the world today, and one of only a handful remaining in any condition.

We are grateful to ahutch587 for capturing and sharing this excellent video! Enjoy!

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For more information about the Whitewater Valley Railroad and #25, visit Whitewatervalleyrr.org

Now, go watch some trains!

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