Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Norfolk & Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 24, 2021
1. Norfolk & Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135 Marker
Inscription.
Norfolk and Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135. .
Manufacturer: American Locomotive Company (ALCO), 1967 , Weight: 204 tons , Length: 69 feet , Height: 15 feet 7 inches , Fuel capacity: 4,000 gallons , Engine: 16 cylinder, model 251E , Horsepower: 3,000 , Wheel diameter: 40 inches , Tractive effort: 90,600 pounds , Maximum speed: 70 miles per hour (mph)
, ALCO developed the C630s in response to General Motors' SD-40 locomotive. One of 10 purchased by Norfolk and Western (N&W) Railway in 1966-1967, the C630 1135 was originally used in regular freight service. These locomotives were the only ones of the 77 that American Locomotive Company (ALCO) produced between 1965-1967 that were designed with high, short hoods.
In the 1970s, these units were coupled to slugs (unpowered rail) equipment that help increase a locomotive's traction) and used in hump yard service at Virginia N&W yards in Portsmouth, Bluefield, Roanoke and Norfolk.
This locomotive is painted in "Pevler Blue," a color named for N&W President Herman Pevler who served from 1963-1970. During Pevler's administration, black N&W engines were repainted in a blue similar to what was used on the Wabash. Pevler had previously been the president of the Wabash Railroad; Wabash was leased by N&W in 1964.
The most distinctive feature of the C630 is its large aftercooler radiator housing above the roofline. The aftercooler radiators boost performance when the locomotive is operating under a heavy load.
Due to the high maintenance costs for these engines, N&W unsuccessfully attempted to sell them to the Chicago and Northwestern Transportation Company. Instead, N&W converted them to hump yard slug masters. They were assigned to service in the Virginia cities of Bluefield, Roanoke, and Lamberts Point, as well as Portsmouth, Ohio. There are four C630s still in existence.
Manufacturer: American Locomotive Company (ALCO), 1967 Weight: 204 tons Length: 69 feet Height: 15 feet 7 inches Fuel capacity: 4,000 gallons Engine: 16 cylinder, model 251E Horsepower: 3,000 Wheel diameter: 40 inches Tractive effort: 90,600 pounds Maximum speed: 70 miles per hour (mph)
ALCO developed the C630s in response to General Motors' SD-40 locomotive. One of 10 purchased by Norfolk & Western (N&W) Railway in 1966-1967, the C630 1135 was originally used in regular freight service. These locomotives were the only ones of the 77 that American Locomotive Company (ALCO) produced between 1965-1967 that were designed with high, short hoods.
In the 1970s, these units were coupled to slugs (unpowered rail) equipment that help increase a locomotive's traction) and used in hump yard service at Virginia N&W yards in Portsmouth, Bluefield, Roanoke & Norfolk.
This locomotive is painted in "Pevler Blue," a color named for N&W President Herman Pevler who served from 1963-1970. During Pevler's administration, black N&W engines were repainted in a blue similar to what was used on the Wabash. Pevler had previously been the president of the Wabash Railroad; Wabash was leased by N&W in 1964.
The
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most distinctive feature of the C630 is its large aftercooler radiator housing above the roofline. The aftercooler radiators boost performance when the locomotive is operating under a heavy load.
Due to the high maintenance costs for these engines, N&W unsuccessfully attempted to sell them to the Chicago and Northwestern Transportation Company. Instead, N&W converted them to hump yard slug masters. They were assigned to service in the Virginia cities of Bluefield, Roanoke, and Lamberts Point, as well as Portsmouth, Ohio. There are four C630s still in existence.
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 1967.
Location. 37° 16.398′ N, 79° 56.8′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker 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.
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 340 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
