Erie at Dearborn Station

[richhotrain]

I know that the Erie RR ran E8's in and out of Dearborn Station in Chicago.

But did the Erie run F3's and/or F7's in and out of Dearborn?  If so, can you tell me which was more prevalent?

Thanks.

Rich

[FlyingCrow]

I don't think any F7's were passenger geared.   They had 3 sets of A-B-A F3's, but most photos I see at Dearborn are E8's and PA's.

[timz]

If you're asking if F3s ran to Chicago after they got E8s, no idea. But presumably F3s were common at Dearborn circa 1949?

[MJChittick]

timz

But presumably F3s were common at Dearborn circa 1949?

Yes, F3s were very common at Dearborn in the 1950s.  All of Monon's cab units were F3s.

[tpatrick]

Fred Westing and Al Staufer, writing in Erie Power, report that Erie bought seven sets of F-3s, road numbers 800 - 806. They were assigned in 1947 to passenger service , Jersey City to Chicago. So, indeed the F-3 were seen at Dearborn. But there was a problem. According to Westing and Staufer, "steam generating abilities and fuel capacity were woefully insufficient. In cold weather a 2900 Pacific would cut into the train for steam heat."

I assume from that, that the F-3s were reassigned  from passenger service  to freight as soon as the Alco PAs hit the property in April 1949. The E-8s came along in early 1951 and became Erie's preferred passenger power.

[richhotrain]

Thanks for all of that additional information guys.

It sounds like the Erie F3s got replaced by PAs and then by E8s.

I am planning to model the Erie at Dearborn Station, and I have an F3A/B consist so I feel good that I can go with that combination.

Rich