by Rick Rowlands
In October, 2010 the Youngstown Steel Heritage Foundation purchased the 1930 Westinghouse Visibility Cab oil-electric "Armco B-71" from Ed Bowers. The locomotive is currently stored at the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul, MN and will be moved to the Youngstown, OH area in 2011.
The YSHF acquired the B-71 for the following reasons:
1) We were concerned that this rare locomotive would be scrapped on site as no other entities had stepped forward to acquire it.
2) The locomotive was a mill switcher for a steel plant located within 50 miles from Youngstown, OH, giving it local significance.
3) The locomotive was built 70 miles from here in East Pittsburgh, PA
Upon the locomotive's arrival in Youngstown, it will be given a thorough cosmetic and operational restoration. Preliminary inspections have revealed that the locomotive is nearly intact and the electrical equipment appear to be in good condition. Condition of the prime mover is unknown.
Builders photo of the B-71.
The YSHF acquired the B-71 for the following reasons:
1) We were concerned that this rare locomotive would be scrapped on site as no other entities had stepped forward to acquire it.
2) The locomotive was a mill switcher for a steel plant located within 50 miles from Youngstown, OH, giving it local significance.
3) The locomotive was built 70 miles from here in East Pittsburgh, PA
Upon the locomotive's arrival in Youngstown, it will be given a thorough cosmetic and operational restoration. Preliminary inspections have revealed that the locomotive is nearly intact and the electrical equipment appear to be in good condition. Condition of the prime mover is unknown.
Builders photo of the B-71.