Baldwin Locomotive Works - End

End

In 1956 the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) finally planned to retire its steam fleet and buy a large order of diesels. Baldwin bid, expecting its lifelong loyal customer to help keep Baldwin in business by buying at least some Baldwin diesels. General Motors' EMD division, however, gave the PRR an exceptional deal on new, reliable GP9s, so the PRR—which was in a financial pinch itself —sent the business to GM. This one deal proved to be the end of the line, and - after 125 years of continuous production- Baldwin closed most of its Eddystone plant. It produced no more locomotives after 1956, instead concentrating on heavy construction equipment. More than 70,500 locomotives had been produced when production ceased in 1956. Even so, many Baldwin Steamers and Diesels still prowl the worlds trackage today, with builders plates proudly proclaiming "Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, USA".

In 1965 Baldwin became a wholly owned subsidiary of Armour and Company. Greyhound Corporation purchased Armour and Company in 1970, and in 1972 Greyhound closed Baldwin-Lima for good.