Great Northern Empire Builder Question...

[b60bp]

Howdy Tracklayer. I saw that train dozens of times in that time span, at it's easternmost GN location, the Twin Cities. The F units came off at St.Paul Union Depot, to be replaced with Q E units. GN used the S.P.U.D. engine terminal, along with the Soo Line and you'd often see their units laying over there. In the off season three units were often seen, but even then four might be used for extra heat in the winter. But three would be normal. Definetely four units in summer and Christmas time. The Western Star always had at least four units as it was combined with the Fast Mail in 1959/1960 time era and often ran 25-30 cars.

I wouldn't have any problem using three units on my layout, no explanation needed for nit pickers. For a while the Builder was even pulled by a pair of E7's, for what that's worth.

[Texas Zepher]

Tracklayer

Can someone possibly tell me the correct amount of F7 A and B units to use to pull the Empire Builder ?. I'm using an A,B,B set at the moment but I'd like to know for sure if this is right.

An ABA set would be more common.  Doesn't mean ABB didn't happen, would just have been rare.

 

[andrechapelon]

Tracklayer

Hello all. Can someone possibly tell me the correct amount of F7 A and B units to use to pull the Empire Builder ?. I'm using an A,B,B set at the moment but I'd like to know for sure if this is right. The time period I'm modeling is the late 50s to early 60s if that matters any. Thanks.

Tracklayer

 

Depends. You can find pics of it with 3 units (ABA) http://www.trainweb.org/fredatsf/eb51_files/image017.jpg and with 4 (ABBA) http://www.gngoat.org/con4.jpg 

Andre

[Burlington Northern #24]

I use 4 on my 15 car Big Sky Blue set, and I use two on a 14 car set that's in EB green and orange(I need to fix the Observation car and I pulled an SP&S lettered coach from the consist to add a bit more variety to my SP&S train(s)).

[Tracklayer]

Thanks Garry. Yes. It is a very nice looking train, and includes a custom painted Glacier View full dome along with the rest of the correct consist. I just wasn't real sure about the locos... Tracklayer

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Probably 4 units in peak season with longer trains and 3 units in off season with shorter trains. ... Your ABB set may be just right for a model railroad. I bet it looks nice, too. 

[Tracklayer]

Hello all. Can someone possibly tell me the correct amount of F7 A and B units to use to pull the Empire Builder ?. I'm using an A,B,B set at the moment but I'd like to know for sure if this is right. The time period I'm modeling is the late 50s to early 60s if that matters any. Thanks.

Tracklayer