Power type Steam Build date 1937 | Serial number 69021 | |
 | ||
Gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) | ||
Great Western 60 is a 2-8-0 consolidation built in September 1937 by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady, New York, and is currently operated on the Black River & Western Railroad (BR&W) in Ringoes, New Jersey.
History
No. 60 originally operated on the Great Western Railroad (GW) in Colorado where she pulled sugar beet and molasses trains. During World War II, a smokebox extension was added to allow the use of poor quality coal because of war-time restrictions. In 1965, #60 was purchased by the newly formed short line Black River & Western for tourist excursions. Although she was used on off line excursions previously, the locomotive hauled its first train (on BR&W trackage) on May 17, 1965.
BR&W completed an intense 12-year overhaul project in August 2012 in time for #60's 75th birthday.
In 2013, #60 was painted into her late 1950s Great Western livery for a photo charter. The new paint scheme included the addition of white trim on the driving wheels and running board, and Aluminum paint on her smokebox (replacing graphite). She was also given the "Great Western" lettering on her tender as well as receiving the trademark white diamond numbers on the sides of her cab.
Additionally, to commemorate Black River and Western's 50th Anniversary in 2015, the crew painted the number plate black and gold representing the "Golden Anniversary". During the 50th anniversary festivities, a bottle of champagne was opened on one of the driving wheels of No. 60 by the New Jersey Assistant Secretary of State Carol Cronheim.