Archive
Broadcast
About
A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
A SERVICE OF OHIO'S PUBLIC BROADCASTING STATIONS
Program Directory
One of America's largest and best known steam locomotive builders, the Lima Locomotive Works, built 7,752 locomotives beginning in 1879.
Nicknamed the "loco works", the company rose to success building the patented Shay geared locomotive, developed by Ephraim Shay. This innovative design became the standard for railroad logging locomotives.
While slow, these engines were quite powerful and flexible, making them well suited for use on logging, mining and other industrial lines with steep grades and rough tracks.
In 1925, the Lima "loco works" began building mainline locomotives, exemplified by the "Super-Power" 2-8-4 Berkshire.
The Berkshire, showcased Lima's technological prowess, using superheated steam and an enlarged firebox for unprecedented power and speed.
Employing many nationalities, Lima, fostered a legacy of ethnic diversity in Allen County. Often several generations of the same family worked in the same shop, a practice that encouraged loyalty and a tradition of craftsmanship passed to succeeding generations.
In 1947, the firm merged with General Machinery Corporation of Hamilton, Ohio, to form Lima-Hamilton producing a total of 174 diesel locomotives.
In 1951, Lima-Hamilton merged with Baldwin Locomotive Works to form Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton, but left the locomotive business in 1956, unable to compete with the new diesel-electric locomotives.
Many Lima-built steam locomotives are preserved across the United States. Numerous Lima-built engines are still operational, especially Shay locomotives.
Nicknamed the "loco works", the company rose to success building the patented Shay geared locomotive, developed by Ephraim Shay. This innovative design became the standard for railroad logging locomotives.
While slow, these engines were quite powerful and flexible, making them well suited for use on logging, mining and other industrial lines with steep grades and rough tracks.
In 1925, the Lima "loco works" began building mainline locomotives, exemplified by the "Super-Power" 2-8-4 Berkshire.
The Berkshire, showcased Lima's technological prowess, using superheated steam and an enlarged firebox for unprecedented power and speed.
Employing many nationalities, Lima, fostered a legacy of ethnic diversity in Allen County. Often several generations of the same family worked in the same shop, a practice that encouraged loyalty and a tradition of craftsmanship passed to succeeding generations.
In 1947, the firm merged with General Machinery Corporation of Hamilton, Ohio, to form Lima-Hamilton producing a total of 174 diesel locomotives.
In 1951, Lima-Hamilton merged with Baldwin Locomotive Works to form Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton, but left the locomotive business in 1956, unable to compete with the new diesel-electric locomotives.
Many Lima-built steam locomotives are preserved across the United States. Numerous Lima-built engines are still operational, especially Shay locomotives.
October 7, 2021