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 list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 37° 16.4′ N, 79°
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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 (a few steps from this marker); Mining Train (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135 (a few steps from this marker); Trailer Train Flatcar #470534 and Sea-Land Containers (a few steps from this marker); Virginian Class SA #4 (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginian Railway Class C-10 Caboose #321 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.
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 212 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
