RailNews

SMS Railroad Co. Baldwin S12 304 recently emerged from the short line’s shops following a full rebuild and a fresh coat of corporate colors. It’s seen at Pureland, NJ on Jan. 5, 2022, taking a quick break from serving customers. Photo by M.T.Burkhart.

SMS Puts Another Baldwin Back on the Road

By M.T. Burkhart

LOGAN TOWNSHIP., NJ – Yet another locomotive at Baldwin stronghold SMS Railroad Co. has returned to service, this time a former Monongahela Railway S12 model.

SMS Lines 304 – built in 1953 as Monongahela 415 – was outshopped right before Christmas. It served Erie Mining (LTV Steel) in Minnesota before coming to southern New Jersey in 2005 with a handful of other ex-Erie Mining Baldwins. It emerged in the railroad’s Reading-like corporate scheme of green, yellow and black following a ground-up rebuild that included everything from electrical to bodywork, the railroad said.

At some point at Erie Mining, the locomotive was involved in an accident with the ore pellet unloader that damaged the original cab. A replacement came from another Erie unit.

The Baldwin ran for a time after arrival at SMS, but had not operated in recent years. The locomotive, which will see regular service in the sprawling Pureland Industrial Park just off the New Jersey Turnpike, will have plenty of company, including former Pennsylvania Railroad DS4-4-1000 9069 and former Trona AS616 554.