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Info On an Item: Styling Models

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Info On an Item: Styling Models
Posted by trainmaster247 on Thursday, September 15, 2016 11:48 AM

I have recieved from a family friend what is known as a styling model for an EMD E unit. It is in the B&O scheme minus lettering and heralds and it between O and G scale in size. I was told it was used to test out paint schemes though I'm wondering what else there is to be learned about it. A google search turns up nothing so I hope someone on here can help. A main thing I wonder is if this is an original used to design the first passenger scheme for them. The only other info I know is that it was in storage at the EMD library in Illinois untill it was torn down and now given to me a few years later. I would like any help that could be given.

 

Thanks, Trainmaster247 

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Posted by tstage on Thursday, September 15, 2016 12:07 PM

I think you're gonna need to post a pic if you want "educated" guesses...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, September 15, 2016 6:06 PM

The initial design of the E series of locomotives was proitected under US Patent D 106918 issued November 9, 1937, so perhaps what you have may be a patent model?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMC_EA/EB

Somewhere in my dusty memory I recall a photo, perhaps in Trains Magazine, of a group of suited gentlemen surrounding what appeared to be a wood styling model of an early streamliner. It may have been Harley Earl who was tapped for some of the design work on the Aerotrain or perhaps Martin P. Blomberg who also had some EMD design patents. I'll have to do some more digging.

Many, if not all, of the early and prolific EMD painting designs were the work of artist Ben Dedek. Of course, the preliminary designs were all sketches and water colors. Much more cost effective for experimentation.

I agree with Tom, a photo would be great!

Good Luck, Ed

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Posted by trainmaster247 on Friday, May 19, 2017 10:22 AM

Well I now have photos, to not have to post them twice they can be found here: http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/30088

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Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, May 19, 2017 3:01 PM

That it came from the EMD library is significant. 

Minature ships were created by shipyards hundreds of years ago and in the 1800's furniture salesmen carried minatures of their products.  I found an Overland Models Manufacturer sample on Ebay, no mention of whether it has a motor or not, but it is a fully detailed brass HO loco.

Perhaps EMD created these in paint schemes for various railroads.  You might contact some of the bigger railroad museums and see if they know anything about these, I'm thinking B&O, California, Pennsylvania  and I'm sure there are others.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, May 19, 2017 9:52 PM

So, it's like a salesman's sample.  Miniatures of actual appliances, farm equipment, furniture, etc., and such, that saleman carried with them, to sell the product. 

Mike.

 

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, May 20, 2017 12:16 PM

The subject model appears to be an E6A.

The B&O bought EA's (and EB's) in 1937.

They bought E6A's in 1940.

The paint schemes on both appear similar.  But not identical.  In particular, the E6A's introduced (as on the model) that the striping on the nose had parallel lines (hard to say in words, but easy to see in pix).  The first E6 was made in November of 1939.

 

So this model was likely created in late 1939/early 1940.  It was not done to show the basic B&O diesel scheme, since that was already on the EA's.  But it does demonstrate some changes.  Something not taken lightly at the time, I expect.

 

 

Absolutely a neat item,

 

Ed

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Posted by ACY Tom on Sunday, May 21, 2017 9:19 PM

I doubt that any B&O E6's were delivered with a gray roof. If they were, they were very quickly painted black.

Tom

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