Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Whitcomb 30DM31 Diesel Switcher
Manufacturer: Whitcomb Locomotive Works, Rochelle, Illinois, 1941
Model: 30DM31
Cylinders: 8
The George D. Whitcomb Company was founded as a machine shop that manufactured coal mining equipment. In 1930, the company filed for bankruptcy and was partially acquired by the Baldwin Locomotive Works and renamed Whitcomb Locomotive Works. It officially became part of Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1931 although the Whitcomb name was in use until 1952. The company was known for locomotives that were able to be used in underground mines.
This switcher was built in 1941. It was used by Blue Ridge Stone Company at a quarry opened in 1917 by Roanoke's Boxley Materials Company. This switch engine shuttled hopper car at the facility that is located on the Blue Ridge grade of the Norfolk & Western Railway (N&W) system east of Roanoke.
The first number in the model number indicates the weight of the switcher in tons. The letters stand for the engine/drive combination, which in this case is diesel mechanical.
Erected by Virginia Museum of Transportation, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
this page online
Location. 37° 16.4′ N, 79° 56.815′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of Norfolk Avenue Southwest and 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mountain Region and in Southwest Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Celanese Porter Fireless #1 (here, next to this marker); Amoco Oil ARA III Tank Car AMOX #9465 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk Southern Research Car #31
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 606 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
