The E-Unit return?

[railman]

Right now, passenger rail power is in a serious boredom crisis. With Amtrak running it's last F40PH's off the rails, we may soon be stuck with nothing but AMD-103's in many parts of the country.

That said;
Should EMD or GE bring back their famous lines of the 40's and 50's, like the E-Unit or a re-motored Alco-inspired PA ? Commuter lines need power and wouldn't it be nice to see some big e-units pulling superliners again? Do you have "flat nose fatigue?"

This could even bring in the nostagia factor for Amtrak. Paint the "new" E-Units in the colors of some of the famous pre-amtrak lines, give the mundane commuter run a dinner train look?

Are there technical pros/cons to this? Do the old E-Units have anything over a F59PH? And the discussion starts...now.

[Anonymous]

E-unit's were before my time, so I would like them to come back so I can see them in service.

[ndbprr]

You will never see the carbodies again. The complex curves would double the cost and be a pain for everyone. In addition the E's are flat land runners. The F's were the hill climbers because of all weight on the drive wheels. That's why ATSF never had E units nor did any other mountain climber with minor excpetions. PA's? First you would have to ressurect the ALCO company. You may as well ask for steam or trollet cars to come back

[railman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

You will never see the carbodies again. The complex curves would double the cost and be a pain for everyone. In addition the E's are flat land runners. The F's were the hill climbers because of all weight on the drive wheels. That's why ATSF never had E units nor did any other mountain climber with minor excpetions. PA's? First you would have to ressurect the ALCO company. You may as well ask for steam or trollet cars to come back

I never said this poll was terribly realistic...and I believe there are that transit lines run PCC streetcars...but we can dream, can't we all?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

You will never see the carbodies again. The complex curves would double the cost and be a pain for everyone. In addition the E's are flat land runners. The F's were the hill climbers because of all weight on the drive wheels. That's why ATSF never had E units nor did any other mountain climber with minor excpetions. PA's? First you would have to ressurect the ALCO company. You may as well ask for steam or trollet cars to come back

ATSF did have E-units. The E1, E3, E6, and E8m (rebuilt E1) were on their roster.

[railman]

According to the forum, as of 6 PM today 57 people have viewed this poll, and by my count only 6 people voted! If you read this, please vote! It's not like you're going to get junk mail because you voted in favor of an E-Unit. Vote- it just makes things work better. This morality lesson goes out to the "real" vote come Nov 2, too.

[CP5415]

Give me a couple of D&H PA's & a couple of CPR E8's & I'll be happy!!!

Gordon

[Anonymous]

Sure. I little style on a modern loco would be great!

[railman]

now the tally is at 97 with 8 votes...this must really be the country where 100 million people don't vote.

[CSXrules4eva]

Even though E-units were before my time I say bring them back !!! Also while their at it they should bring back the GG1s and paint them in PRR's dark green.. . . .ya know?/. This will most defanitly turn some heads in the passanger bussness. Come on Amtrak lets get it together now!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

The E's & PA's had their day and their trains.

This is the 21st Century and it is time for New Industrial designers to put new shapes with rail transport that has a 21st Century flavor.

The beauty of the trains and engines of the bygone days was the styling and the adaptation of the paint schemes for the Streamliners.

The B&O Blue, Gray & Black with Gold trim. The PRR Tuscan Red with Gold trim. The SP's Daylight sceme. The NP's two tone Green. The GN with their Orange & Green with Gold trim. The IC with the Orange and Brown. Viewing the trains and engines of yesteryear was a veritable rainbow of intersting colors and forms.

Today there is Amtrak, Amtrak and Amtrak. Nothing much interesting or different.

[Anonymous]

I would love to see the E-Units return. They were before my time and i would love to see them in service. I did get the chance to see a set a E-8's running at the Altoona Railfest 2002 and 2003. They were painted in Pennsy Tuscon Red and had all the details that they did back when they were first constructed. Anyways hope they come back. They would be right at home here in PA.[:D]

[railman]

not sure if anyone gave you a proper [#welcome], so here's one now.

Otherwise I think E Units would look good in front of modern trains. What else embodies speed and efficiency like a carbody.

In second otherwise, great to see this thread rise from the no-mans-land of the forum and come back again.

[Anonymous]

BN retired their Chicago commuter E unit fleet not so very long ago, so they are still a viable basic design. And the crews loved the smooth ride of the A1A trucks.
EMD Es and Fs, as well as Alco/MLW FPA4s (Upgraded 4-axle FA-type) are running all over the continent even today, so the old builders must have done SOMETHING right.
EMD nose contours were mainly BONDO, but the automobile industry's steel-stamping technology is way beyond the old days, so long as a production run is BIG.
HEP is easier than steam generators, the new primemovers and generators/alternators are better, and computerized traction control could make even an E climb just fine.
Mix and match, old and new, and watch the engineer waiting list soar.

[Anonymous]

Thank You Ron