USATC - № 7981

Item

Title

USATC - № 7981

USATC №

7981

Works №

60351

Build Date

November 1943

USATC Order

I

Railroads

USATC - № 7981

Scrap Date

1947

Comments

USATC № 7981 played an important role during the Second World War. On April 9, 1945, two 65-DE-19A Whitcombs powered the first United States Army train to cross the Rhine River. This train, loaded with rations and other supplies, moved over the bridge into Germany's inner fortress, with USATC № 7981 at the head end and the other Whitcomb acting as a pusher at the rear of the train.
A detailed account of the crossing over the Rhine by the two Whitcombs, can be found in the Baldwin magazine which was published several months after the event.
Baldwin - second quarter 1945