EMD BL2; What is it?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know what the EMD BL2 is for?

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure of your question, "What is it?", or "What is it for?", so I'll answer both.
EMD stands for: Electro-Motive Division (of General Motors). BL-2, stands for Branch Line, model 2. EMD led the way into dieseldom with the very popular series of F-units (F3 thru F9). These were great road locomotives, but were very hard to switch, as the engineer could not easily see behind him. The BL series (I believe there was only 1 BL-1, and nothing after the 2's) was EMD's first attemp at the "roadswitcher" concept, a locomotive that was equally at home on the road, or switching. This is why the car body on the BL series slopes away from the windows to give the enginner a better view to the rear. They were not sucuessful for the most part. But EMD's next attempt was a "grand slam", the GP-7.
MOPAC 1

[Anonymous]

You know, I'm not an expert on this, & somebody please correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like I remember hearing or reading something once about EMD producing a BL-20, which apparently was an even poorer seller than the BL-2.

[Anonymous]

Not sure on drew's question, but to add to robert's comment, It was an attmpt to have a "streamlined" roadswitcher. And it was unique looking also. Jamie

[Anonymous]

The BL2 was EMD's first attempt at a hood unit road switcher. Basically F3 machinery with a narrowed hood for better visibility for switching work. In fact the cab area still maintained some of the F unit dimentions. There was one BL1 and 58 BL2 units produced from 02/48 to 05/49. There were no differences between the BL1 or BL2's. EMD began production of the GP7 in October 1949.

[Anonymous]

Drew, I'm no expert also but from what I have read the BL-20 was what EMD tried to offer in competion with the many GP rebuilds especially the MPI GP28. It was too costly to do. MPI could do the same much cheaper and did. I understand the BL-20 is in the EMD lease fleet now.

[Anonymous]

The West Virginia Central RR still uses a BL-2 and has photos on their web sight. www.mountianrail.com

[sumpter250]

The BL20-2 was indeed an attempt by EMD to capture some of the rebuild market. At around $800,000, plus the GP7, or GP9 to be rebuilt, the price was too high and the program failed. There are three BL20-2s.I modeled two, and most people mistake them for GP60s. Model Railroader did a construction/kitbash article on the BL20-2.
Like the BL2, the BL20-2 is intended more as a "branch line" locomotive.

[Anonymous]

The Kentucky Railroad Museum, in New Haven, KY, also uses a BL2, in Monon livery, to pull excursion trains.