Georgia Coast & Piedmont No. 99

Baldwin offered gasoline-powered switchers that looked a lot like steam locomotives. They were mainly used for light switching service and, compared to a steam locomotive, had the advantage that they did not consume any fuel during waiting times and could be started again immediately if necessary. One example was in service with the Georgia Coast & Piedmont Railroad and was numbered 99.

The motor was installed together with most of the machinery in the place where the boiler was on steam locomotives. On top of the hood sat the tank and the exhaust, the latter occupying the same space as the chimney. The transmission took place via a two-stage gearbox onto a jackshaft, which drove the wheels via coupling rods. In contrast to most cars of the time, there was already an electric starter for starting the engine, which was operated by a battery, which in turn was charged by an alternator.

With the two gear stages, the locomotive could reach a speed of 6 or 12 mph. In high gear, the locomotive could haul 30 short tons up a 0.5 percent incline, negotiating curves with a radius of 90 feet.