| Rock Island Railroad Whitcomb 75DE12C 1004 at Rock Island, Illinois on August 31, 1958, Kodachrome by unknown photographer, Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was one of 17 on the Rock Island in the 1000-1016 number series. It was built in 1948 by the Canadian Locomotive Company ( CLC c/n 2415 ) under license from Whitcomb ( Whitcomb c/n 60818 ), which was a division of Baldwin. Originally part of an order for the Canadian National, the CN cancelled the order after receiving seven units, and returned those units to the builder. The CLC sold all but one of the 18 units ordered by CN to the Rock Island. They were Whitcomb model 75DE12C ( the 75 indicates weight, the DE indicates Diesel Electric ), and were powered by a Stirling model VD 8-cylinder turbocharged 8X9 650 horsepower , 1200 rpm inline engine. The Second Diesel Spotters Guide mentions that the Whitcombs were quickly repowered, apparently with Caterpiller D397 diesels. |