Modifying a Williams (by Bachmann) Missouri Pacific BL-2 Diesel (#20312)
I recently acquired a Williams (by Bachmann) Missouri Pacific BL-2 Diesel which I will modify to wire the motors in series and then add directional LED lighting. This model is a very nicely detailed O scale model which is close in most dimensions as compared to the prototype. The body length is very close to the prototype 44 feet. The model wheelbase is 41 feet 6 inches. The prototype wheelbase is 44 feet. Otherwise the body has nice applied railing details, marker lights and horns. The model road number is 4106 which is an authentic M-P road number.
Prototype Data:
The EMD BL2 is a four-axle B-B road switcher built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). Often considered the "Ugly Duckling" of diesel offerings from EMD, the BL2 set the stage for company's widely successful GP series of locomotives. EMD's diesel program was well underway in the late 1940s and early 1950s, thanks to the success of the company's FT demonstrations across the country. While the F-units in production were great for moving trains over the railroad, their full-width carbody made it difficult for locomotive crews to see to the rear of the locomotive. The F-units also lacked anywhere for a brakeman or switchman to stand and ride short distances while performing switching duties. The F-units did have grab irons and stirrup steps, but these features were a hindrance in locations with tight clearances. Since the engine inside the locomotive's hood didn't take up the full carbody width, it seemed only logical that the hood could be "cut away" a bit to allow the crew to see and ride safely. This wasn't an entirely new idea either, as the Pennsylvania Railroad's GG1 fleet, which featured large cutout sections in its hoods, had been in service since 1934. Another problem facing EMD was that ALCO was making inroads into a market that EMD would have liked to keep to them; ALCO's RS series road-switchers were starting to take over many of the tasks that EMD wanted to fulfill with their own locomotives. Likewise, Baldwin and Fairbanks-Morse had started their own models of road-switchers. EMD's designers and engineers set to work and came up with the carbody reminiscent of the GG1 with mechanics that contained the technical knowledge they had learned with the company's F-unit series. Starting from an F3, the product of their efforts became the BL1 EMD Demonstrator #499 in September 1947. The BL1 Demonstrator was EMD Project 89499, thus the 499 Demonstrator number. The BL in the locomotive's model name officially stood for "Branch Line", indicating that EMD felt the locomotive was best suited for light traffic and frequent switching chores.
The Missouri Pacific railroad had 8 units. Road numbers were 4104-4111.
Note: This post is intended as information for the general reader. If others care to comment on the topic or contribute ideas to further the modeling activity it is there option to do so.
