Lima Locomotive Works - Timeline

Timeline

• 1877: Lima Machine Works is established to produce agricultural and sawmill equipment.
• 1878: Lima Machine Works builds the first Shay type locomotive.
• 1892: Lima Machine Works reorganizes and emerges as Lima Locomotive & Machine Company.
• 1911: Lima begins manufacturing locomotives for Class I railroads.
• 1912: Another reorganization and Lima emerges as Lima Locomotive Corporation.
• 1916: Joel Coffin purchases Lima; the company is renamed Lima Locomotive Works.
• 1922: Woodard's 2-8-2 NYC 8000, ancestor of "Super Power", is delivered.
• 1925: Woodard's A-1, the prototype "Super Power" Berkshire type, takes to the rails.
• 1947: Lima is merged with General Machinery Corporation of Hamilton, Ohio. The new company is named Lima-Hamilton.
• 1949: Lima's last steam locomotive (NKP 779) is built. Lima-Hamilton begins production of Diesel locomotives. Unsuccessful promotion of the 4-8-6. Production of Cranes and other construction equipment continues at the Lima plant.
• 1951: Lima-Hamilton is merged with Baldwin Locomotive Works. The new company is named Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton.
• 1956: Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton exits the locomotive market.
• 1980: Production of cranes and construction equipment ends, Lima factory closed and sold.
• 1998: The former Lima erecting shed and heavy Shay shops are torn down and broken up.