Does anyone truly know where the EM-1's worked the most? I have several friends wanting to know where they worked.
Matthew
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They started their careers on the Cumberland Division and finished them on the Pittsburgh division.
L & N,
Thank that was exactly what i need to know.
Beaucoup use in north/central Ohio at the end too.
B&O POWER, by Larry Sagle and Al Staufer, has a photo of three (count 'em, three) EM-1's thundering north with a coal train at West Farmington, bound for Fairport Harbor, Ohio.
The photo wasn't in the book, but does exist...of what happens when you do that. About seven cars back, the train broke in half; literally! Hopper split in two, thus ending the B&O practice of triple EM1s on the Fairport line. Don't know if this episode happened on the first trip, or a bit later on. It wasn't long, in any event. This was one of the most underrated, misunderstood, and unappreciated steam locomotives of the 20th century. One, possibly two, EM1s might have been saved, but Beano needed the scrap $$$ to meet the payroll. Tough times for the Best and Only!
They were terrific locomotives. They were some of the largest locomotives in the east, although the C&O Allegheny and the DM&IR Yellowstone types, and the PRR Q2 non articulated weighed more. (The B&O weighed 628,700 lb., slightly more than a UP Jabelman Challenger.) Their relatively low steam pressure of 235 psi was used so that thinner boilers could be used and stay within B&O axle loadings. They were extremely sure footed and great performers on severe grades. Although their CALCULATED starting tractive effort was "modest" at 115,000 lb. They could apply that TE at a low 23.7%, which is better than some lighter locomotives with higher boiler pressure to which they have been compared. They were perfect for B&O for mountain service in the steam era. I think that they rank with Baldwin's best in terms of being most suitable for the intended service.
I saw and photographed them at the end of the steam era at Painesville OH and Benwood, and was really impressed with their performance, bad coal and mechanical neglect and all.......
Indeed...one of the biggest weaknesses in the whole EM1 story is the absolute dearth of meaningful text on this subject. Plenty of movies were taken and photos too, but where's the beef???? Been researching this lokkie for a long time, and it's amazing what Best & Only was able to pull off. Much is made of steamers that were so-called "competitive" with Diesel power, but here is one that, within the time frame of it's design, actually was ! Baldwin gets a bad rap for a lot of their stuff, and rightly so, in a lot of cases, but by working with Col. Emerson and the crew, Baldwin redeemed themselves, more or less...until the Senseless-pedes!
Some great em1 footage here at the beginning and then again at the 2:00 minute mark with a unique passenger train.
If you even thought of trying to run a trip like that today, you'd be harpooned by every ambulance chasing lawyer from Obama to Kubulai Khan ben Gredissi !!
Speaking of triple-headed EM-1s... I made this video at the end of last year.
i have a couple pics of the 7621 and 7626 at the fairmont roundhouse taken on may 23 1955
Joker34,
I would like to see those photos if possible.
Both late model, 1945 producton...I see. Post 'em, if you can.
yeah as soon I can get them scanned to my computer I will but them up
I also have several pics of other B&O engines I will try to get put up at some point. I would love to take credit for this but I cant. All of my B&O items came from my grandfather Casey Reese.
Most excellent, my man! Beano's best, and proof that when you think outside the bun, it sometimes works!
thanks man. my grandfather would tell me stories about the railroad when I was little. I really loved what I heard about the em-1. so now I have a small layout 11'8 x 9 I wish I had bigger but this will still allow me to run my legacy em-1.
Nice EM-1 pictures, joker34. Thanks for posting them.
no problem sir
