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B&O EAs

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B&O EAs
Posted by ROBERT WILLISON on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 3:24 PM

Anybody know when the b&o retired or traded on thier end ea's? I know # 51 went to the b&o railroad muesem. But what was the fate of her fleet mates. They were delivered in 1937and I believe the a units were numbered 50 - 56, the b units carrying an x, ie 50x.

Thanks in advance

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Posted by beaulieu on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 4:40 PM

The numbers ran 51 - 56 and 51x - 56x. All of them were rebuilt to E8m models, including number 51 with new bodies, and rated at 2000 hp. Fortunately EA 51's original body was saved rather than scrapped. Number 52 was tranferred to the Gulf Mobile & Ohio before the rebuild, but it was rebuilt similarly. When rebuilt the E8Am became 1433 - 1437 in order with the numbers closed down(i.e. 53 became 1434). They were rebuilt in 12/53, 10/53, 1/54, 8/53, and 6/53 respectively. GM&O 100A(ex- B&O 52) was rebuilt in 3/53. The E8Bm were renumbered 2414 - 2419 and rebuilt in 10/53, 5/53, 5/53, 8/53, 11/53, and 1/54 in order. The saved original was used to recreate the B&O 51 in the B&O museum.

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Posted by SSW9389 on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 5:27 PM

B&O #52 was transferred to the Chicago and Alton as #100A in 1940. The Alton was purchased by the GM&O in 1947.  

 

COTTON BELT: Runs like a Blue Streak!
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Posted by ROBERT WILLISON on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 6:29 PM

Thanks

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 7:25 PM

SSW9389
B&O #52 was transferred to the Chicago and Alton as #100A in 1940. The Alton was purchased by the GM&O in 1947.

I have seen a picture where the locomotive was reported to have arrived Chicago on The Abraham Lincoln in the early 40's and it has the road number 50 in the number board and classic B&O paint.  The 50 was B&O's original box cab diesel, that later on got a dose of 'streamstyling'; but never had the nose of an EA.  How the 52 got the road number 50 in the picture; Lord only knows!

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by SSW9389 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 5:18 AM

B&O #52 was renumbered to #50 in 1940 as it was paired with the original #50.  Both were transferred to the Alton in 1940. What you have seen is a very early photo of Alton's EA before it was renumbered to #100A. Data from note 18 B&O Roster in Extra 2200 South March April 1972, see page 22.

BaltACD
 
SSW9389
B&O #52 was transferred to the Chicago and Alton as #100A in 1940. The Alton was purchased by the GM&O in 1947.

 

I have seen a picture where the locomotive was reported to have arrived Chicago on The Abraham Lincoln in the early 40's and it has the road number 50 in the number board and classic B&O paint.  The 50 was B&O's original box cab diesel, that later on got a dose of 'streamstyling'; but never had the nose of an EA.  How the 52 got the road number 50 in the picture; Lord only knows!

 

COTTON BELT: Runs like a Blue Streak!
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Posted by kgbw49 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 6:42 PM

EA-EB Combo...

EA on Royal Blue...

EA in the City of Big Shoulders...

Box Cab...

 

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 7:03 PM

kgbw49

EA-EB Combo...

This picture is an E6, not an EA in the lead - note the angles around the headlight.  The EA has smooth headlight surround.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by M636C on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 8:51 PM

kgbw49

EA-EB Combo...

 

EA on Royal Blue...

EA in the City of Big Shoulders...

 

Note the differences in the chrome trim around the headlight and number boards on 51 and 55. Did this remain the same for the life of the locomotives?

Also a quick way of telling a 201A engined unit from a 567 engined unit is the number and size of the radiator grilles on the side. Two large grilles for EA and EB, three smaller grilles for E3A or E6A and E3B or E6B. This is handy for ground level views of EBs and E6Bs. Santa Fe in particular mixed their lead and trail units among E1s E3 (one only) and E6s.

M636C

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Posted by kgbw49 on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 9:11 PM

Thanks for the great spotting tips. Good stuff and much appreciated!

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Posted by BaltACD on Saturday, September 3, 2016 3:47 PM

The REAL B&O 50 - as it was streamstyled for operation with the Abraham Lincoln on the Alton before the Alton was sold.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by NorthWest on Saturday, September 3, 2016 5:04 PM

It survives in the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis, more or less restored to original condition with front slant removed.

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Posted by Paul of Covington on Sunday, September 4, 2016 12:48 AM

BaltACD

The REAL B&O 50 - as it was streamstyled for operation with the Abraham Lincoln on the Alton before the Alton was sold.

 

   I finally figured out what it reminds me of:  Cuttlefish

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  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

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Posted by ACY Tom on Sunday, September 4, 2016 7:54 AM

All very good information. Renumbering of B&O E units from 2-digit to 4-digit numbers was effective January 1, 1957.

Unfortunately, the stainless steel trim around the headlight of number 51 was evidently not saved, and she has been displayed without it for years. It's also a shame that the streamlined pilot was replaced with a more functional one before retirement. I guess we should be glad the unit was saved at all, in whatever form.

Tom

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