MAGMA ARIZONA RAILROAD

 Baldwin DRS-6-6-1500 Locomotive No. 10


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This diesel-electric locomotive served the timber industry in northern California for nineteen years, then served the Arizona copper mining industry for another twenty-two years.

It was built in 1950 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia to haul medium-size trains on shortline railroads. It was originally built for the McCloud River Railroad in McCloud, California, then in 1969 it was sold to the Magma Arizona Railroad in Superior, Arizona. The Superior mines produced vast quantities of copper ore until production ended in 1982, then the railroad continued operating as a freight hauler.

The locomotive was retired in 1991, and was donated by parent company Magma Metals to the Arizona Railway Museum in July 1994.

This locomotive's model designation, DRS-6-6-1500, stands for Diesel Road Switcher, 6 axles, 6 traction motors, 1500 horsepower. It was built as construction number 74812, with a weight of 292,000 pounds and 42-inch wheels in a C-C wheel arrangement (all axles powered). It was built at a reduced weight from standard to permit operation on lightweight rail. Unlike many Baldwin diesel-electrics that have been refitted with EMD prime movers, this locomotive still has its original Baldwin 608SC inline 8-cylinder diesel engine.


It was built as McCloud River Railroad No. 29, with an armour-yellow-and-gray paint scheme which was later changed to a red stripe pattern. When it became Magma Arizona Railroad No. 10, its red stripes were changed to yellow.

Purchased in late 1969 by the Magma Metals Company for its Magma Arizona Railroad, the locomotive arrived in Arizona on January 6, 1970. It ran in regular service from Superior to a connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Magma Junction until 1991. Although it was the largest member of the company's diesel fleet, crews preferred using smaller units with 2-axle trucks when available because No. 10's long-wheelbase 3-axle trucks occasionally spread the rails and caused derailments.

Following its donation to the Arizona Railway Museum, it moved from Superior to the museum's Armstrong Park location under its own power, arriving on July 20, 1994. It then moved to the museum's new Tumbleweed Park location in 2006, again under its own power. Mechanical restoration has kept the locomotive functional. It is started periodically to maintain its operational status, and is used occasionally for switching cars on the museum grounds.


5/8/2023 - Photo of Magma Arizona #10 at Tumbleweed Park.

7/4/2010 - Night shot of engine at ARM.

1994 - The locomotive at Armstrong Park.
1/15/1980 - Magma Arizona #10, at Desert Wells Tank.  Photo by: Bob Trennert.
1/18/1975 - Locomotive working at Superior, Arizona.  Photo by: Paul Hunnell.
1950 - Baldwin Builder Photo taken at Eddystone, PA as McCloud #29.  Source:  Baldwin-Hamilton Collection, Courtesy of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania State Archives.
1950 - Baldwin Builder Photo taken at Eddystone, PA as McCloud #29.  Source: Baldwin-Hamilton Collection, Courtesy of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Pennsylvania State Archives.

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