BL 2 locomotives

Ben Jun 11, 2001

  1. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

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    Can any of you USA locomotive experts out there tell me anything about BL 2 engines?

    I was given a postcard of one of the few (or possibly the only remaining) BL 2s on the Stourbridge Line, up in rural Pa near Scranton and Lackawaxen, and the engine looks so wierd that I would love to find out a bit more about them.

    Coincidentally I have just seen a brief reference to them in Model Railroader's survey of n scale diesel models but it did not say too much other than they were very ugly!

    Any info anyone could offer would be most welcome.

    Thanks, Ben
     
  2. SP 8299

    SP 8299 TrainBoard Member

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    Basically, the BL2 (and predecessor BL1) were EMD's attempt to compete with Alco's RS-series road switchers. EMD quickly wanted to create a unit that could operate comfortably on the road, or in switching duty (like the RS could), so they used the existing framework of their popular F-series units as the basis of the BL2. They basically made a new "skin" to fit over the F-unit framework, the idea to give better visibility for switching, and a place for a crewman to ride for switching moves. It wasn't too successful(they were still lacking in the visibility department), so EMD eventually developed the GP7 we all know and love, to solve all the BL2's shortcomings.
     
  3. Fred

    Fred TrainBoard Member

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    The BL2 was not received very well by the railroads as only about 59 were built & delivered to the C&EI, BAR, C&O, FEC, Monon, MP, and WM. It was suppose to be an "attractive" psgr as well thus the BM, C&O, and RI ordered some with steam generators for use on their commuter lines. The eng was produced on the F3 frame in 1948 & 1949.
     
  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    "BL" stood for "Branch Line", because that was the service EMD was hoping to provide.
    Hank
     
  5. rhensley_anderson

    rhensley_anderson TrainBoard Supporter

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    There is one at the Kentucky Railway Museum painted in Monon colors.

    A photo can be seen at the museum website. Also from their webpage at:

    == http://www.kyrail.org//motivpwr.htm ==

    "ex-Monon #32 is a BL-2 locomotive built by EMC / EMD in 1947 and 1948. The unit develops 1500 hp, is one of only 59 branch line locomotives built, is now one of only 7 known to exist, and one of only three known to be in regular service."

    [ 11 June 2001: Message edited by: rhensley_anderson ]
     
  6. Alan

    Alan Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Ben:
    but it did not say too much other than they were very ugly!

    Thanks, Ben
    <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

    They certainly were!
     
  7. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

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    Thank you all for your replies.

    I will have to try to find some links to photographs of the locos on the web.

    Ben
     
  8. SP 8299

    SP 8299 TrainBoard Member

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  9. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

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    :eek: Thank you Paul - those pictures are all excellent; the photographers were lucky to have some nice sunny days!

    Ben
     
  10. chessie

    chessie TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have a softbound book produced by the C&O Historical Society entitled "Chesapeake & Ohio BL2 Diesels". It is 50 pages and packed with information as well as pictures. One highlight was that problem of cracked frames.... according to the book, EMD designed them to be operated on branch line track and NOT in multiple unit lashups. Apparently the stress of running MU's caused cracks in the frames, which led to early retirement of some units.

    Harold
     
  11. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

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    Yes Harold, one of the websites that Mankind directed us to also mentions that problem with cracked frames; the summary seems to be that the locos were a useful stage in the evolutionary process of developing the ideal diesels and while they were much surpassed by the GP7s and their successors many ideas which first saw the light of day in the BL2s were incorporated in the GP7s.

    The BL2s were an early, imperfect solution to the needs of the operators but were by no means a dead end in the line of development.

    Thanks again to everyone who responded to my original query; this is a perfect example of why Trainboard is the most friendly, helpful and informative railway website.

    Ben
     
  12. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    The Western Maryland had to of the BL-2 loco's #'s 81 and 82. I think #82 resides at the B&O historical society in Baltimore, Maryland. At the original Mt. Clare roundhouse. As for #81 I believe I seen that it was at the national transportation museum in St. Louis.

    Chessie System was the successor to "retire" them to the museum's, and when Chessie had them they were latshed up to slugs, and were renumbered to #7181 and #7182, don't quote me on the renumberings because I may be wrong. But I know the original numbers were #81 and #82. And were donated to the 2 historic places as I said. At one time the #81 was at Cass WV. To work as one of the logging loco's and was in full service then. But now I believe it was taken back to the Mt. Clare shop and restored to an non-working static display. :D

    [ 17 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
     
  13. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    7600EM-1... wrong. actually Western maryland #81 was SBVR # 7172 from 1985 until 1992 where it was moved to Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass,WV and remained there, abandoned, until the fall of 1999. IN october of 1999, the state of WV bought a section of line from Tygart Junction,WV through Elkins and to Cass,WV in hopes of reopening the line for freight and passengers. ANYWAY former Western Maryland #81 was moved to Belington,WV and had some minor electrical repair, and was started up for the first time in 7 years! Last Summer it was re-painted(very bad previous paint job) in Western Maryland Black and lettered in Yellow. It is currently in regular freght and passenger service and was built in 1948. It is accompanied by the Roanoke Chapter of the N&W historical society owned T6 #41. The passenger train consist of 10 cars from the Powhatan Arrow. (not origional, most cars from ICG'S "City Of New Orleans")
    Also this BL2 was the actual #81. #82 is in Baltimore,MD.

    :D

    [ 17 June 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]
     
  14. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    A&A,
    I knew one of the 2 loco's was in Baltimore, but the renumbering is in my Chessie era book as 7181 and 7182, till they went onto other places I knew some of that I said wasn't completely correct but I have solid evidence that Chessie System renumbered then to 7181 and 7182, the numbers you are refering to was left unchanged after Chessie had gotten them off their rosters. And then changed to different numbers and restored, back to what they were when they were new for the Western Maryland.
     
  15. GP30

    GP30 TrainBoard Member

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    I have a picture pight here that show's SBVR 7172 under tha cab (freshly hand painted on) I'm pretty sure that The South Branch Valley Railroad (state owned) may have made a slight change in the numbering between 1985 and 2000. If it was Chessie #7182, then I didn't mean Chessie (I doidn't give any indication of chessie?? No :rolleyes: ) I ment the SBVR reporting marks. Them shortlines, you just don't know for sure until you ask the guy who knows. (in which I did, good friend of mine, in fact) informitive post though, EM [​IMG]

    when it was repainted last summer, it was put back into origional #81 and origional lettering except for "WVRA" under the #81

    [ 22 June 2001: Message edited by: A&A 6183 ]
     
  16. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    A&A,
    First off it is numbered 7171 in the Chessie era, and the other BL-2 was numbered #7172. But as when Chessie aquired it, it was then renumbered to #7171, and the other one to #7172, but prior to the original WM numbers of #81, and #82. After Chessie got rid of them, and what ever happen to them being I didn't track them after Chessie got rid of them I don't know what they became, but as for their Chessie owner ship. They were renumbered to #7171 and #7172. Being that you may have talked to a fellow that knows you might think since its hand painted that they just painted of the Chessie renumbering??? :D Makes sence doesn't it....Untill it was restored to the original Western Maryland paint and numbers with or without the "SBVR" under the original #81. I'll post a link to the picture of it under the Chessie renumbering as soon as I can get it up on photopoint, and then link it to the board here...... :D

    [ 23 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]

    [ 23 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
     
  17. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    A&A,
    Here are the links for the BL-2 that was originally owned by the Western Maryland, but these pictures are of the acquision of them to the Chessie System. Heres BL-2 #7171 from the Cheesie renumbering...


    And also BL-2 #7172 from the Chessie renumbering...


    These are pictures of the BL-2's of the Western Maryland under the Chessie era aquision.... Look on the pictures for the by standing Chessie units. If anyone wonders where I found these go to the Chessie System web site on pictures and look under "switchers and Slugs"....... You'll find these same pictures their....... :D

    [ 23 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]BL-2 Chessie renumbering to #7171

    BL-2 Chessie renumbering to #7172

    [ 24 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
     
  18. Herb Dawrs

    Herb Dawrs TrainBoard Member

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    Kinda cute. Face like a droopy-eared sad-eyed basset.

    Herb.
     
  19. 7600EM_1

    7600EM_1 Permanently dispatched

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    Herb,
    This may sound weird to you all, but I do kinda like the looks of a BL-2 though. Just because they are different and was painted in different ways because of the body style even though they were odd ....... :D I guess i'm an odd person.. HA! :D

    [ 23 June 2001: Message edited by: 7600EM_1 ]
     
  20. Ben

    Ben E-Mail Bounces

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    What about the engine that inspired me to start this topic, the one on the Stourbridge Line - what is its history?

    Ben :confused:

    [ 23 June 2001: Message edited by: Ben ]
     

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