Southern Pacific 6017 E-7m rebuilt from E-2

[M636C]

In the listing of E units in the recent Classic Trains special issue, it is suggested that 6017 was rebuilt by EMD, much as the EAs and E-1s were.

However, no other units were rebuilt to E-7, all the others became E-8s basically just using the generators, trucks and motors from the original.

I recall reading in one of Strapac's summaries of SP power that SP rebuilt the 6017 themselves using the original frame but with a new cab and body panels.

I think 6017 was rebuilt after the change from E-7 to E-8, so it is unlikely that EMD would rebuild one unit as an E-7 and the others as E-8s.

Since the general layout of the E-2 and E-7 were similar, in particular the location and orientation of the engines, it would have been possible to rebuild 6017 as an E-7 using the original frame, but not as an E-8 where the engines faced opposite ways, requiring the well for one generator in a different location.

Can anyone here confirm that SP, not EMD rebuilt 6017?

Incidentally, I visited Preston Cook at his home in suburban Chicago, overlooking the Burlington line in 1977. I think he had a large framed colour photo of the demonstrator E-8 on the wall, the same view as used in the opening of his article.

M636C 

 

[MJChittick]

Please see the following link.  It provides an interesting dialogue of all three sets of "City of San Francisco" power and their eventual disposition.

http://espee.railfan.net/sp-e-02a.html

 

[daveklepper]

So M6536C is correct, by SP, not EMD.   CLASSIC TRAINS should issue a correction.

[M636C]

MJChittick

Please see the following link.  It provides an interesting dialogue of all three sets of "City of San Francisco" power and their eventual disposition.

http://espee.railfan.net/sp-e-02a.html

 

Mike,

Thanks, I was unaware of that site...

Peter