3rd Rail B&O EMC EA/EB and SF E1A/E1B Scheduled for Mid 2021 Production

I guess the GM&O/Alton unit didn't 'make the cut?

KD

Finally . . .

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I guess the GM&O/Alton unit didn't 'make the cut?

Well nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Don’t know if there was a “magic” number of units for it to fly.
Anyone out there “on the fence”, get off it and email Scott if you want it !!!!  
Maybe there’s a chance for a bit of “wiggle-room” to get it in yet ?  🤔

@Mike Casatelli posted:

Finally . . .

Mike I told you about 8 years back that this would eventually happen! I need to get my order in.  Truly the finest of the E units in terms of overall design aesthetic.

Mike I told you about 8 years back that this would eventually happen! I need to get my order in.

At this rate, Jonathan, if you get that order in now, you might get the engine by 2029. 

Truly the finest of the E units in terms of overall design aesthetic.

It had better be. If not, I know who to blame . . .

Seriously, Jonathan, it's been a  long campaign to get this thing made, so do EMC and Leland Knickerbocker proud.

Cheers,

- Mike

These trains are historically significant and beautiful to boot. Everyone HAS to want at least one of these !!!!!! Never done in O Gauge - well, at least at an “Everyman” price.

@TrainBub posted:

These trains are historically significant and beautiful to boot. Everyone HAS to want at least one of these !!!!!! Never done in O Gauge - well, at least at an “Everyman” price.

You mean "never done in O Gauge", or never done in O SCALE????

@Hot Water posted:

You mean "never done in O Gauge", or never done in O SCALE????

O scale

There were 6 B&O EAs. Some were assigned to the Capital Ltd into Chicago and others assigned to the National Ltd into St. Louis. And I’ll bet they were moved around when and where needed. All were eventually renumbered and I don’t know when. Did this occur with the early to late repainting or ..... ??? 😖🤪 I hope there are some knowledgeable B&O “specialists” out there to help some of us with less knowledge know what’s correct (to ask for). I’m looking for the late paint (that Scott shows) and numbering for the National into St. Louis.  
Some help would be appreciated. The TRRA book “The National Limited” shows me the number changes - but not when. And I don’t have passenger schedules to check.
Details, Details .............🤪  Just trying to end up with what’s correct for the 50s
Cheers

TrainBub

I watched the Royal Blue coming in to Mt Royal station heading to DC about every other week at least. It was usually pulled by an A-B set of the early E units and usually had 8 cars. At that time number 51 was the lead unit if I recall correctly and 51X was the trailing B unit. This was in the late '40's and early '50's. After that it had a mix of E6's through E8's. Always had 2 units whenever I saw it.

If I was fortunate there would be a northbound freight pulled by 2 to 4 of the electric motors going through as we waited for the Royal Blue. The B&O had 8 of the electric motors and 4 was the maximum permitted on a train.

There was a tower located in Mt Royal station on the west side of the tracks near the tunnel to Camden station. It was removed in the early '50's as I recall.

@TrainBub posted:

There were 6 B&O EAs. Some were assigned to the Capital Ltd into Chicago and others assigned to the National Ltd into St. Louis. And I’ll bet they were moved around when and where needed.

My references show that by the late 1940's, the five remaining B&O EA's (#52 was sold to Alton in May of 1943 along with the original #50 Boxcab) were all assigned to systemwide passenger pool service based out of Ivy City, D.C.

All were eventually renumbered and I don’t know when. Did this occur with the early to late repainting or ..... ??? 😖🤪 I hope there are some knowledgeable B&O “specialists” out there to help some of us with less knowledge know what’s correct (to ask for).

I'm not a "specialist" by any means, merely an armchair "student" of sorts, sharing what little information I may have.

I’m looking for the late paint (that Scott shows) and numbering for the National into St. Louis.  
Some help would be appreciated. The TRRA book “The National Limited” shows me the number changes - but not when. And I don’t have passenger schedules to check.

As far as renumbering, the "A" suffix was added to their existing number in 1950, then it was dropped again in early 1952.

Details, Details .............🤪  Just trying to end up with what’s correct for the 50s

It should also be noted that by January of 1954, all B&O EA's* had been retired and traded to EMD on an order for E8A's. Salvaged for reusable parts then scrapped.

* #51 was donated back to B&O Museum (less most of it's electrical machinery). 

Cheers

TrainBub

Hope this helps,

C.J.

@GP40 posted:

Hope this helps,

C.J.

That helps considerable !!!!  
Thank you so much. !!!

This should compliment what @GP40 says

A footnote concerning the original B&O EA's and EB's being traded for E8A's and E8B's. Technically, they were traded in for E8Am's and E8Bm's when they were retired and sold back to EMD in 1953.

From the outside, the E8m's, both A's and B's appeared identical to regular 1954 production E8's.

Since some components from the EA's were used in the new units (specifically the main generators)  resulting in a reduction of rated horsepower they were designated as E8m's.   A standard production E8 generated 2250 HP while the "new" E8m was rated at 2000 HP. 

I have read that Santa Fe did the same with some of their early E units.

Regards,

C.J.

Cannot wait for my Santa Fe (late) E1A-B to pull my GGD Super Chief set.  For me, the early E units with their slanted noses are so much more beautiful than the later E and F unites with the "bulldog" nose.   An Art Deco engineering masterpiece.