What are the Plug boxes on the walkways of this BL2?
They appear to be MU cable plugs, to allow the unit to operate in multiple with others.
Thats what I figured, they should be easily removed, looks like I can drill the pin out from under the shell. B&M BL-2s were not delievered with MU equipment, which hampered operations and in part led to their being traded in and rebuilt as GP-9s. EDIT: GP-18s
So why didn't the B&M add that feature later? Many 1st generation units had that feature added if not delivered with it. Perhaps the B&M was very unhappy with these units and didn't want to put any money into them?
Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com/
B&M only had four, so I suspect that they found it cheaper to simply trade them in for a more standard unit. The BL2s were sort of the worst of both the cab unit and hood unit worlds, being as or more difficult to maintain as a cab unit, and without the ergonomics of a hood unit, such as the lack of access to the front and rear pilots without getting off the locomotive.
This is speculation. I understand WM had to run the BL2's as lead units when they were MU'd because of perceived weaknesses in the frame. Perhaps B&M knew about this & chose to avoid heavy service that could put too much strain on the engine's structure. I'm pretty sure Monon MU'd their BL2's, but I think it was always with another BL2.
I suspect you are correct, ACY. The B&M BL2s were traded in after about a decade of service, which is about two thirds of their design life.
BAR had BL2's, and I think they ran them MU'd. Anybody know about their experiences?
As well as removing the MU boxes and the overcoupler footplate, I need to replace the handrails on both ends to match prototype photos. Any recomendations as to what diameter of wire I should use?
Most handrails are about 2" diameter (.02" in HO scale), but grabirons were often smaller --- in the range of 1" diameter (.01" in HO). To make it look right, I think I'd use whatever matches the existing handrails.
Good answer ACY and I don't have a problem with you rounding to the 100ths but most modelers and manufacturers will better undersand it in the 1000s of an inch. For example, Details Associates offers it as .010" or .022". BMMECNYC, one thing to consider, however, is to measure the diameter of the plastic railing already on the model with calipers and use that, as likely it's larger in diameter than the .022, and using scale size on the ends might look out of place in comparion. But then again, I don't know what the specifics are on the model but it looks great. Incidentally, I remember the B&M in the late 60s and early 70s and missed these uniquie units.
www.erstwhilepublications.com
Victor
The 4 B&M BL-2s were traded in along with F-2 #4251, and F-7 #4267 for 6 GP-18s in 1961