|
Baltimore & Ohio E Unit Diesel Passenger Locomotives by Nuckles w/ Dixon SC
Baltimore & Ohio E Unit Diesel Passenger Locomotives By Douglas Nuckles with Thomas Dixon Jr
Soft Cover
Copyright 1994
78 Pages
CONTENTS
Foreword2
Introduction to B&O E-Units3
Brief History of the Baltimore & Ohio4
Steam to Diesel Transition7
Richard Dilworth and Diesel Development11
Passenger Diesel Development in the 1930s14
B&O's Diesel Passenger Train Fleet in 194017
Early B&O E-Units: Slant-Nose EA and E621
B&O E7s, E8s, and E9s23
Baltimore & Ohio E-Unit Painting Guide26
Baltimore & Ohio E-Unit Specifications28
B&O E-Unit Ownership, Maintenance & Operation29
E-Unit Drawings30
B&O E-Units in Color33
EA Photo Section42
E6 Photo Section47
E7 Photo Section54
E8 Photo Section61
Ex-C&O E-8 Photo Section65
E-8Am/E8Bm Photo Section67
E9 Photo Section69
Amtrak76
Modeling Baltimore & Ohio E-Units77
References78
One may well ask. "Why a book on one class of diesel locomotives on one railroad'?" This is a legitimate question in this era of proliferating books on the subject of railroading. It should be answered at the outset. There are several reasons why Baltimore & Ohio EMD E-series diesel locomotives should be deserving of treatment: First, the E-unit itself was the most common passenger train locomotive of the 19451971 era. Secondly the B&O was a major user of E-units as one of the trunk-line railroads connecting the Northeast with the Midwest, scheduling important trains over a variety of heavily traveled routes. Finally in 1935 B&O was a pioneer in the use of passenger trains with flexible consists hauled by diesel locomotives (along with the AT&SF) in the period when diesels were mounting their first serious challenge to steam power, and carried on with the model through its entire development and refinement through the E9 model in 1955. As such the B&O E units represent a microcosm of this locomotive's use and importance in the American railroad scene. One must not forget the conservative, tasteful blue/gray livery applied to these units, long a favorite of train watchers and modelers. They are among the most attractive of a class of locomotives that was given to expressive design, ranging from the gaudy to the mundane, on a variety of railroads.
Antipathy to lightweight equipment was, according to most sources, a prejudice of Daniel Willard. Actually B&O entered the lightweight streamliner era quite early, in 1935, with The Royal Blue and The Abe Lincoln. Prominent in B&O's promotional literature throughout the late 1930s and into the late 1940s, was the slogan "Diesel Powered All the Way!"
When TLC Publishing asked if I would consider putting together a book on Baltimore & Ohio E-Units I was flattered. Even though I had been writing professional articles for many years I had just finished my first railroad book. To be asked to do another before the first was on the shelves meant, to me that I must have done something right.
Having grown up in eastern Chesapeake & Ohio territory, I hadn't seen many B&O E-units until very late in their lives, therefore not at their shiniest and newest. Even so, E units had always been among my favorites: therefore, it was an intriguing challenge to prepare this book.
From the 1950s to the 1970s E-units from several railroads were visible in Virginia. even B&O units on the C&O in later years just before Amtrak. However my strongest impression of early B&O E-units is from visits to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, and a lengthy look at EA number 51, even though the paint scheme isn't totally accurate. Just as this book is being published E8 No. 92 is being moved to the museum as well. Eventually it will be returned to the wonderful blue/gray paint scheme and will become a new and important artifact reflecting the days when the E-units dominated railroad passenger train service on the B&O and in America.
Over a period of years I painted many HO models of diesel locomotives. Among those I saw regularly in and around Richmond were several E8As including Atlantic Coast line, Seaboard Air Line, Chesapeake & Ohio Southern, and Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac. Several times I thought that I should do one in H&C) but never did. Perhaps this book may make up for my lack of previous attention to the road which used my favorite historic colors-blue and gray-along with serviceable black and gold striping.
We have attempted to research B&O E-units as thoroughly as possible, to bring the story of these locomotives to our readers in the most readable and useable form, and to secure the best available photographs to illustrate them on the Baltimore & Ohio.
Reference notes are given paranthetically after the data that they pertain to in the text. The notes are numbered sequentially and appear at the end of the book. If more than one reference applies all will be shown. A roster of each model appears in the photo section that pertains to that model rather than a consolidated roster for the entire fleet. A general renumbering of B&O locomotives occured in 1957 during which time the E-units were consolidated in sequential numbers in the 1400 series.
A section is devoted to the standard paint scheme most familiar on B&O E-units and its variations from the EA's through the E9s, but no attempt has been made to note the several later schemes and the many variations of them, although photos of most variations are shown. Basically, about the time of the C&O affiliation the E-units began to be painted solid blue with large yellow lettering, the same as C&O/B&O freight locomotives. A major variation of this is the "sunburst" scheme, which had several yellow "rays" extending from a centered B&O herald on the nose door. The final version was that which was ultimately adopted for both C&O and B&O E-units about 1967, with a solid blue body with broad a gray band covering about one-third of the side from the sill up.
Although there is much detail on the birth of the E-unit as a type, and its early use on the B&O. little definitive information has become available to us on the latter-day use of the newer E7, E8 and E9 models. This may be a result of the fact that by then the diesel locomotive is an "off the shelf' standard model, basically alike on all railroads that used it. and generally unremarkable in its performance on a particular line, unlike steam, which was tailored to a specific railroad and often a specific portion of that line.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
Shipping charges
US Shipments: Ebay will add $1.25 each additional items, there are a few exceptions.
Ebay Global shipping charges are shown. These items are shipped to Kentucky and forwarded to you. Ebay collects the shipping and customs / import fees. Refunds may be issued if you add multiple items to your cart and pay with one payment. For direct postage rates to these countries, send me an email. Shipping varies by weight.
Payment options
Payment must be received within 7 days. Paypal is accepted.
Terms and conditions
All sales are final. Returns accepted if item is not as described. Contact us first. No warranty is stated or implied. Please e-mail us with any questions before bidding.
Thanks for looking at our items.
| 
