I was interested in building a consists of the Silver Streak California Zephpr that ran from Chicago to California but changed engines midway. A Western Pacific was used to take the engine into CA.
What I was looking for was the CB&O Silver Streak engine. Did LNL or MTH ever make one, if so what year? As that must of been the year I was asleep.
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I know Lionel made a chrome CB&O back in the MPC era, don't think it's been made since. I thought they did a good job on the chrome finish back then, too.
hmmm I WAS sleeping during the MPC era!!
i just took another look at the catalog and there are two; an F3 and an E9.
The CB&Q E5's in O Scale were only made in brass by Key. Very nice, very $$$.
Both MTH and Lionel offered their E6's in Burlington, but the CB&Q never had any E6's. Similar locomotives to the E5, but lacking the corrugated siding and letterboards.
MTH offered the CZ F3's (twice) and Lionel once. Atlas O also has a set of F3's coming. K-Line and MTH also offered their E8's in Burlington.
Williams and 3rd rail offered an E7 in Burlington.
While the E5's were in the Zephyr pool (they even appeared on commuter trains once in a while) they were not exclusive to the California Zephyr. The E7's, E8's and E9's (in any combination) were the usual power on the CZ.
BTW: The "Silver Streak" Zephyr was it's own unique train. Kato recently offered the complete train in N Scale. Kato CB&Q Silver Streak
Rusty
i just took another look at the catalog and there are two; an F3 and an E9.
Correct, I pointed out the "soon to be delivered" e units as they better match the photo you posted.
The F3's have been out for some time and are still in stock with some good discounts at most places FWIW.
I have the CB&Q F3 ABA units from the current run, and they are beautiful in every way. I'm just waiting for the CZ coaches to be delivered, and then my world will be complete. 
These are Williams units that have been repainted and super detailed (the decals on the nose are custom made).
The "Q"'s E-5's were an engine designation unto their own. No other RR had them and if Lionel wants to do them, they will have to do them as a separate model. The Williams unis in the photo, I believe are E-7's with the shorter "bullnose" and if I'm not mistaken, the "Q" got some of those, too. But the E-5's were basically E6's with the stainless steel sides and a difference in their window arrangements. I suppose that if the plastic molds were specially modified, with the ability to change the complete sides, the E-6 design could be used as the basic engine shell design. But no paint can actually duplicate the appearance of stainless steel, in my opinion.
Incidentally, no "B" units of this design were ever built. As most of you are aware, the Illinois Railroad Museum in Union, IL has preserved the only engine of this class. It has been used on main line special trips in recent years, pulling a set of articulated Zephyr, stainless steel cars from the 1930's. Beautiful train!
Paul Fischer
Incidentally, no "B" units of this design were ever built.
Paul Fischer
Not quite Paul. The Burlington did indeed have E5A AND E5B units. In fact, the E5B units were the ONLY "E" type B units that the Burlington ever purchased, i.e. they did NOT purchase any E7Bs, nor E8Bs, nor E9Bs. Thus is was not unusual to see an E7A or E8A with an E5B trailing.
Also, the Burlington E5 units were essentially just an E3 with Stainless steel fluted sides. Naturally the E6 models came after the E3, E4, and E5 models.
Actually, upon further review, Lionel DID do the CB&Q E5's with TMCC back in 2002.
Theres a pair on ebay right now.
Actually, upon further review, Lionel DID do the CB&Q E5's with TMCC back in 2002.
Theres a pair on ebay right now.
Internally, there were no differences between the E5 and E6. Externally, the stainless steel fluting to match Budd cars, letterboard and smaller side windows were the only difference between the E5 and E6.
The E5 was unique to the CB&Q. The Q had no E6's.
If it doesn't have the fluting, letterboard and smaller rectagular windows, it ain't an E5.
The Lionel model lacks the fluting, letterboard and smaller windows and are therefore E6's, in spite of what the great and powerful Lionel says.
Rusty
Actually, upon further review, Lionel DID do the CB&Q E5's with TMCC back in 2002.
Theres a pair on ebay right now.
Internally, there were no differences between the E5 and E6. Externally, the stainless steel fluting to match Budd cars, letterboard and smaller side windows were the only difference between the E5 and E6.
The E5 was unique to the CB&Q. The Q had no E6's.
If it doesn't have the fluting, letterboard and smaller rectagular windows, it ain't an E5.
The Lionel model lacks the fluting, letterboard and smaller windows and are therefore E6's, in spite of what the great and powerful Lionel says.
Rusty
I fully agree! As a Burlington modeler, steam and early diesel, if Lionel had indeed produced a CB&Q E5A scale set, I would have been all over them. They did NOT, so I did NOT purchase them.
MTH has also made a RailKing version of the E3, which could be used as a stand-in at the modeler's discretion.
Now that the difference between an E5 and an E6 has been clarified... how do you tell the difference between an E3 and an E6?
Aaron
MTH has also made a RailKing version of the E3, which could be used as a stand-in at the modeler's discretion.
Now that the difference between an E5 and an E6 has been clarified... how do you tell the difference between an E3 and an E6?
Aaron
You look "under the hood," the differences are internal. The E6 had slightly different and improved machinery than the E3.
Unless it's a Seaboard unit, then it's an E4 because there's a retractable door on the nose.
Rusty
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