Thanks for posting the proto WM BL2 photos Bob!! I love em!!! Number 81 and trailer is in the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, as I'm sure you know. I always check it out whenever I visit the museum. I think the BL2 is one of the most interesting diesel switcher designs ever - IMHO. I wish though, that the Western Maryland would have at least painted them in the circus paint scheme. I'm not a big fan of the WM black livery ... however I do enjoy being true to the prototype on my Free State Junction Railway. Someday I may become adventurous enough to paint a BL2 in WM circus colors ... just as a 'what if' kind of thing.
In road freight service, the WM BL2s could not be used as lead units in lashups due to a weak frame. They had to be used as trailing units only in this situation.
Many of the other roads who purchased the BL2 were really able to show off the sleek curves and features of the BL2 due to those road's paint schemes.... i.e. Chesapeake and Ohio, Florida East Coast, Monon, Bangor and Aroostok ( sp? )
I'm glad that both WM units are preserved. Thanks so much for posting!!
Patrick:
I'm glad you enjoyed the photos of the Western Maryland BL2s. You raised a good point regarding the issues with the structural integrity of the locomotives. Actually, when used in a multiple unit consist, Western Maryland operating practice required the BL2s to operate either as the lead unit on the head end or the trailing unit when pushing in order to eliminate the stresses at one end of the locomotive.
In hindsight, EMD actually designed this model to be used in accordance with its Branch Line designation. Yard switching manageable cuts of cars, local freight and haulage of light passenger trains were within the locomotive's capabilities; however, Western Maryland put their pair to work in multiple unit consists hauling and pushing coal and other heavy tonnage....in other words, giving them jobs they really weren't built for. Utilizing its truss work for support, the BL2 did not have the benefit of a thick, weight bearing frame as is present on road switcher/hood units. Also, the model did not have the deeper truss work of a unit with a conventional full car body a la the F3 due to its unique design. These factors combined to present problems for the Western Maryland when the road's BL2s were operated in heavy haul road service as trailing units due to the considerable forces at work from both ends. As I mentioned above, by the late 60s the road had removed them from road service altogether and, together with their "trailers", they found a home at Hagerstown.
Like you, I have an appreciation for the BL2. I also own an O gauge model of a WM BL2. Below is a selection of Branch Line units in other liveries. Demonstrator 499 was designated a BL1.
Bob
Thanks so much, Bob, for the information and for setting the record strait in regard to the BL2 being lead unit when running within a multi engine consist at the head of a train.... and the trailing unit when pushing. I also appreciate the photos above of the various railroad liveries used on the BL2. They are all quite attractive IMHO.
I especially like the EMD demonstrator. I forgot how cool that one looks. I just may have to purchase one of those in the not so distant future ( York?)
I appreciate too your comments and background info on the BL2. I had a photo of one of the two WM BL2s in a multi loco consist ... it was about the third locomotive out of 5 or 6 crossing the swing bridge pulling a long freight into Riverside yard in Baltimore. This photo was taken in the early 60s or late 50s.
I've also seen photos of the WM BL2 as the lead unit of a multi unit consist too.
When new on the WM their first assignment was as pushers.... so they were working hard ( over worked/misused in regard to EMD's purpose of intent ) from the get go.
I realize that its been said that the BL2 is the 'ugly duckling diesel' but somehow how I find their design to be attractive and enchanting. Glad to know your are a fan of the BL2 as well.
Thanks again Bob!
