Lima LS-1000
| Company type | Corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
| Founded | July 30, 1947 in Lima, Ohio, United States |
| Fate | Merged with Baldwin Locomotive Works in September 1951 |
| Successor | Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton |
| Headquarters | Lima , United States |
The A-3080, also known as the LS-1000, is a diesel-electric switcher locomotive produced by the Lima-Hamilton Corporation in Lima, Ohio between May 1949 and April 1950. With a power rating of 1,000 hp (750 kW), it became Lima's primary model. By modifying the fuel rack settings, this design evolved into the A-3170, capable of delivering 1,200 hp (890 kW) using the same turbocharged Hamilton T89SA inline eight-cylinder engine. The locomotive’s power was transmitted through a Westinghouse generator and four traction motors, generating a tractive effort of 74,508 lbf (331.43 kN).
Instead of traditional model numbers, Lima-Hamilton assigned specification numbers; terms such as LS-1000 originated from rail enthusiasts. The official designation for this locomotive is A-3080.
History
By 1946, Lima recognized that without entering diesel-electric production, its opportunities in the Class 1 locomotive market were limited. However, the company lacked sufficient resources to fully develop diesel technology. Fairbanks-Morse explored collaboration options as its contract with General Electric concluded in 1949, but their proposal mainly involved assembly agreements rather than a genuine partnership.
At the same time, Lima was in discussions with General Machinery Corporation, which owned Hamilton Press and Machinery Company—a manufacturer specializing in marine and stationary diesel engines. On July 30, 1947, Lima Locomotive Works merged with General Machinery to create Lima-Hamilton Corporation. Following the merger, management conflicts arose: General Machinery aimed to discontinue steam locomotive production while Lima pursued development of an advanced steam engine featuring poppet valves known as the "double-bubble." This project was abandoned by April 1949; the last steam locomotives were completed the following month. In response, Chief Mechanical Officer Bert Townsend resigned in protest.
The A-3080’s design bears similarities to the ALCO S-4 switcher due to the influence of former ALCO engineer F. J. Geittman, who was hired before the merger to design an appropriate prime mover since Hamilton’s existing diesel engine was not suitable for locomotive use.
Hamilton engineers focused on enhancing durability rather than maximizing power-to-weight ratios. They strengthened key components such as crankshafts and bearings to improve reliability—differentiating themselves from competitors who favored lighter designs that often resulted in mechanical failures.
On May 13, 1949, Lima-Hamilton unveiled its first A-3080 diesel unit (#1000) alongside four demonstrator locomotives (#1001–1004). These units were subsequently sold to several operators including Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway and Wabash Railroad.
In September 1951, Lima-Hamilton merged with Baldwin Locomotive Works forming Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton. Baldwin sought to capitalize on Lima’s shovel and crane operations amid expanding highway construction projects. Nevertheless, locomotive production by Lima-Hamilton ceased after the merger as Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton's locomotive division declined due to reduced demand for steam replacements, ultimately withdrawing from new locomotive manufacturing by May 1956.
Original owners
| Owner | Quantity | Road numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Armco Steel | Template:Center | 707 (formerly Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1001), 708, 709 |
| Baltimore & Ohio Railroad | Template:Center | 330–339 |
| Erie Railroad | Template:Center | 650–659; transferred to Erie Lackawanna in 1960 with original numbers retained |
| Indian Hill and Iron Range | Template:Center | 302 (formerly Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1004) |
| New York Central Railroad | Template:Center | 8400–8405 |
| New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate Road) | Template:Center | 305–308 (with #305 being the first production A-3080); transferred to Norfolk and Western Railway in 1964 while keeping original numbers |
| Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway | Template:Center | 300 (formerly Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1000), 301, 302 |
| Wabash Railroad | Template:Center | 400, 407 (formerly Lima-Hamilton demonstrators 1002 and 1003); transferred to Norfolk and Western Railway in 1964 retaining original numbers |
| 38 |
Preservation
The final remaining A-3080 unit, previously known as ARMCO Steel 709, is currently in service with the Whitewater Valley Railroad