EMD E2

Infobox Locomotive
name=EMD E2
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg

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caption=The first E2 set for the "City of San Francisco", units SF-1, SF-2 and SF-3, jointly owned by the UP, the C&NW, and the SP
poweroutput=convert|1800|hp|abbr=on|lk=on
aarwheels=A1A-A1A
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
builddate=1937
primemover = Winton 201-A, 2 off
railroad=UP/C&NW/SP
totalproduction=2 ABB sets
disposition=All scrappedThe EMD E2 was an early American passenger-train diesel locomotive developing convert|1800|hp, with an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement, and manufactured by General Motors Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois.

Two sets of three were produced in 1937 for named passenger trains; the first set (SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3) for the "City of San Francisco", jointly owned and operated by the Union Pacific Railroad, the Chicago and North Western Railway, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, while the second set (LA-1, LA-2, and LA-3) was for the "City of Los Angeles", jointly owned and operated by the UP and CNW only. Both sets were "ABB" sets; the first locomotive unit was a cab, or "A" unit, while the other two were cabless booster, or "B" units. The locomotives were diesel-electrics with two 900 hp Winton 201-A engines each, with each engine driving its own generator to power the traction motors. In addition the locomotives contained steam generators for passenger car heating (and cooling). The first car after the locomotive set also contained an auxiliary diesel engine, powering an electric generator for train-line "hotel" power for their named train trainset(s). The E2 was the third model in a long line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units.

The E2, along with the more-or-less simultaneous EA/EB units for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the E1 units for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, represented an important step in the evolution of the passenger diesel locomotive. While the EA, E1 and E2 were each built for a specific railroad and train, they were largely identical mechanically and were a step further away from the concept of custom-built motive power, integrated into a particular streamliner; and towards mass-produced standardized locomotives. This transition was achieved with the E3, E4, E5, and E6, EMD's next models. These locomotives are definitely related in an evolutionary manner with all EMD's future passenger models.

Profile

The E2's profile was more aggressive than the sloping snouts of previous EMD passenger power, so they gained a "bulldog nose" nickname. Subsequent blunt-snouted passenger units are sometimes also called this, but the E2's nose is by far the most bulbous. Seven porthole windows in the sides are also a unique feature of the E2 locomotives; others had four or less. One of the nicknames that these locomotives acquired, because of these portholes, was "Queen Mary", after the British Cunard liner that was put in service about the same time. The Union Pacific Railroad also referred to the schedule of the "City of San Francisco", a passenger train hauled by these locomotives as sailings. The units were painted to match the trains in Union Pacific's Armour Yellow with Leaf Brown roofs and undersides, the same colors as UP's previous streamliners. There was extensive stainless steel on the noses, upon which were displayed the owning railroads' heralds in color.

Replacement

The E2 locomotives were replaced by new E6 locomotives in 1940; the joint ownership was terminated at that point. All four "B" units (SF-2, SF-3, LA-2, LA-3) went to the Union Pacific; they were used until 1953, when they were "rebuilt" into E8 locomotives. These rebuilds utilised little of the previous locomotives and were effectively trade-ins. The driving "A" unit of the SF set, SF-1, (the "Queen Mary") went to the Southern Pacific; it was likewise "rebuilt" into EMD E7 #6017. The "A" unit of the LA set, LA-1, went to the Chicago and North Western and was eventually scrapped.

No E2 survives today.

References

* Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). "The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide", pp.EMD-118 to EMD-120. Kalmbach Books. Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 66-22894.
* Reich, Sy (1973). "Diesel Locomotive Rosters – The Railroad Magazine Series", pp.113, 114. Wayner Publications. No Library of Congress or ISBN.
* Strack, Don. "Union Pacific Diesel Painting Guide". Retrieved from the Union Pacific Historical Society's site at http://www.uphs.org/Dieselpaint.htm on December 19, 2004.

External links

* [http://www.northeast.railfan.net/diesel9.html North East Rails EMD E2-6 Engine Photos]