PRR 4900 series E2 or E3 electric locomotives

[NP Eddie]

ALL:

 

The February 1954 "Trains" had an article about new PRR 4900 series electric locomotives.

Were any of these two unit sets used in passenger service (with a heater car) on occasion?

I assume they were run from Washington to New Jersey or Washington to Harrisburg. What was the town in New Jersey were they removed from their train?

When were they retired?

Thank you,

 

Ed Burns of Anoka, MN and an ATCS host.

[ndbprr]

They were experimental freight engines being looked at as replacements for the P5 engines. One set even had a P5 in the middle to test compatability. Eventually PRR opted for the E44 engines from GE.

[ndbprr]

Without looking them up I believe they were based out of Enola and would have been used on any freight assignment from there. There was only one set of each one. Westinghouse and GE were the builders.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

There were a total of 10 4900 series experimentals in three models.  The E2b's were 4939-4944 with AC drive (same as GG1 and P5) and a B-B wheel arrangement, built by GE.  Baldwin-Westinghouse built an E3b set with B-B-B wheel arrangement and and E2c set with a C-C wheel arrangement, equipped with DC drive and ignitron rectifiers.  They were numbered 4995-4998.

[DS4-4-1000]

Two of the E2b's were built by GE as demonstrators.  They were run on the New Haven, Virginian, and Great Northern before becoming Pennsy locomotives.  The demonstators differed from the other E2b's by having a number board on the front of the nose where the headlight grill would have been on an ALCO FA.

[ndbprr]

I asked PRR expert and former employee Bill Volkmer if he could add anything. The only thing he said was Wilmington was the home shop for them all.

[DS4-4-1000]

One thing I forgot to add is that the E2b locomotives had the nickname "Screamer" on the Pennsy.  I was trackside once when a train with an E2b and a P5a went by.  The blower noise from the E2b was very loud.

[ndbprr]

Just looked at my Keystones for last year and an E2b was on the cover of one. All were retired in 1964 and scrapped at Luria Brothers.