What EMD E-unit would you favor?

AB&CRRone Aug 1, 2008

  1. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, I blew that one, I searched and searched and couldn't find any shots of an E1. I'm a B&O fan so I didn't know where to look to find the shots, the E3 was as close as I could come and I couldn't find any reference to the E1.

    A correct comparison:

    [​IMG]

    The side windows are different, pilot is different, marker light above the front windows, streamlined horn enclosure on the EA.

    The nose contour is the same, as well as grilles and cab windows.

    The side windows really make them two different locos. The other items are addressable with easily swaped parts.

    I still have to vote for the EA over the E1. The stainless details on the nose and the cleaner lines of the side windows just ooze speed.
     
  2. AB&CRRone

    AB&CRRone TrainBoard Supporter

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    Here is the E1 in brass. A pretty shelf queen. I'm searching for ways to equip it with an up-to-date mechanism but no luck yet.

    [​IMG]

    Oh well. Seems I can only post thumbnails. Wish they would fix that.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Ben
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 2, 2008
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  3. JohnRico

    JohnRico TrainBoard Member

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    Burlington Route E5 gets my vote. Dudes I like the stainless steel look. I know this will sell out quick.
     
  4. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    I always thought the E2 was one of the best-looking diesels ever made, but I can't see it being made in plastic anytime soon.
     
  5. Larry777

    Larry777 TrainBoard Member

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    Well, not go back and do at least an E1 or E2. And how about that half baggage car, half E unit that was owned by, I believe, Rock Island? Somebody did the ALCO DL109. Why not? Although not part of the discussion, I am particularly interested in well-represented E7's. My first train ride came behind a pair of them in 1949, on GN's Empire Builder.
     
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  6. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmm... true but...

    Maybe the numbers don't justify large runs of these early E unit diesels... but... perhaps there are just enough similarities in the carbody to have one manufacturer try to do them all over a period of time.

    I'm sort of thinking along the lines of what Intermountain did with the F series and Tunnel Motors. I can't say for certain how much work it would be to do the same thing with the E series because the body contours varied far more in them than in the F series or the Tunnel Motors. Properly planned molds with interchangable sides, tops and nose parts may be doable... but... will there be enough interest from the general N scale community to support the few units which were actually produced. It almost seems that these engines may fall into the 'last to be considered' catagory of consideration by most manufacturers.

    I haven't read all the prior posts... but... if anyone has details as to size (lenght, width, height), truck spacing and other details which would make sense for a manufacturer to consider... this might be a good venue to discuss the potential interest.
     
  7. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    I believe that an E5 and E6 are essentially the same engine, except for the stainless cosmetic treatment on the E5. If so, all applicable information could be gathered about 30 minutes drive from the Kato USA HQ in Illinois. Heck, I would even pay their admission.
     
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  8. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmm... two Chicago trains used E5 & E6 power...

    Well... since Kato USA is based in Chicago... and two Chicago based roads (CB&Q and IC) both used early E units... perhaps at some point Kato may do a run of E5's with a Twin Cities Zephyr or Texas Zephyr and E6's with a Panama Limited or City of New Orleans. If both locos are very similar then the mechanisms and the carbodies shouldn't pose a problem. The only hitch could be the passenger cars for these two passenger trains.

    BTW: Which passenger train(s) did Santa Fe use their E6's on?
     
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  9. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    George Elwood has a 1969 IC locomotive diagram book posted on his fallen-flags website. Some interesting info for comparing an E6 with an E8:

    E6:
    [​IMG]

    E8:

    [​IMG]

    Overall dimensions (height, length, wheelbase) are identical. It may be that a Kato E8 mechanism would work with only removal of some of the front of the frame to accomodate the sloped nose. I'm encouraged! :)

    Edit: I also pulled out my "2nd Diesel Spotters Guide" and read that the E3, E4 and E6 were "indestinguishable" from each other. Also, the B units were common with the E7B. The only exception I noted was that the Missouri Pacific opted for "portholes" in their units.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 3, 2008
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  10. river_eagle

    river_eagle TrainBoard Member

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    Even though these are not Es, since they are basiclly finished, that practically locks in, with my luck, that the M-10004 will be the next streamliner out there.
    [​IMG]
     
  11. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    E-1A and E-1B pairs 2-4 and 2A-4A hauled the first streamlined Super Chiefs. 2/2A relieved boxcabs 1/1A in 1937. The other E-1A units were the inaugural power for El Capitan (5&6), San Diegan (7), Chicagoan/Kansas Cityan (8&9), Golden Gate (8&9 after 1/1A were rebuilt as 1&10), all in 1938.

    [​IMG]
    The first Golden Gate

    4 and 4A allowed El Cap to expand beyond the original five car consists, with the original 5 and 6 being paired up on the other longer consist (2/2A and 3/3A were enough for the Super; 4/4A were originally protection power). As newer units took over the Super and El Cap in 1939-1940 as E-3 and E-6 models and the Alco DL107/108 arrived, E-1s hauled other trains including the Tulsan, second San Diegan consist, and Chief. After the war they also hauled the Oil Flyer, Kansas City Chief, and various others including unnamed connecting trains.
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2022
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  12. 308GTSi

    308GTSi TrainBoard Member

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    Any E unit with the correct Southern Pacific number boards please :)
     
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  13. Inkaneer

    Inkaneer TrainBoard Member

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    The GG1 was produced in association with the Broadway Limited passenger set. So it was not a stand alone item and that was undoubtedly a plus. The fact that it was an iconic symbol with a colorful history did not hurt either. It is in the same category as the BigBoy. People want one despite the fact they do not model that road.

    As for the other E units I am not sure they would match in popularity the GG1 or even the later model E units (E7-9). The E8 was and still is the most beautifully designed diesel passenger locomotive. That is according to me. Others say it was the PA1 but I think the Jimmy Durante nose on the PA1 did not help its cosmetics.
     
  14. acptulsa

    acptulsa TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Let's see if I can find a polite way to put this.

    That and six bucks will buy you a cup of Starbucks.

    No, I guess I can't find a polite way to say it. Sorry. :censored:
     
  15. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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  16. Doug Gosha

    Doug Gosha TrainBoard Member

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    I have to say the E8/9 is prolly my favorite. Clean lines. The portholes.

    Doug
     
  17. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    I'd go for an E2 or E3 since U.P. had a couple of those and I can't find them in N Scale. Probably prefer the E3 as I really like the nose on it. I have the other E's that U.P. had in their roster.

    Sumner
     
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  18. alister

    alister TrainBoard Member

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  19. Charlie Vlk

    Charlie Vlk February 5, 2023 In Memoriam

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    Actually, Burlington E-5s spanned E-3 and E-6 production. E-5 Phase I are mechanically E-3s, Phase II are E-6s.
    Since we have an E-5A, my vote is for Kato to do the Twin Cities Zephyr….they need to do the E-5B, Combine, Parlor, and Obs. If they were clever with the tooling they also could do the Wabash Bluebird with their E-7A.
    Charlie Vlk
     
  20. NorsemanJack

    NorsemanJack TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Charlie. This one is tied for my top vote as well (along with the NCL). I found an earlier post in this very old thread where I named the E5 and by some miracle that wish was granted. Aren't the parlor and obs the same car?
     
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