Virginian Elect., Photo 5

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Gordon et all
 
These definitely were not standard diesel trucks, they were a GE  design.  
The standard AAR Type B truck would not take the GE746 traction  motor used on 
these locomotives.  (The FM "Erie-built" locos used the same  motor in an A1A 
truck.)  Among other things, the 746 required a 42 in.  (new) diameter wheel.  
That's one of the reasons the 752 was designed, to  fit a 40 in. wheel which 
the EMD locos used.  The Alco S-series switchers  and RS-1 used the smaller 731 
traction motor, but it would not rate the  horsepower/motor needed for road 
locomotives that competed with the F-3.   Other earlier road locomotives with 
GE electrical equipment requiring more  HP/axle had used a predecessor of the 
752, but I don't remember (and am not sure  I ever knew) its model number.
 
GE also used a smaller version of this B truck on its switching &  industrial 
locomotives.  The easiest distinguishing spotting feature is the  absence of 
the elliptical springs used on the AAR Type B truck.
 
Dave Phelps
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/29/2008 10:22:23 P.M. AUS Eastern Daylight Time,  
nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org writes:

 
As stated before, the Electric Railroaders' Association  of New York has 
produced a series of CD's with copyrighted images from the  ERA's Sprague Library 
depicting electric streetcars, interurbans, and  locomotives.  The attached 
photo is the fifth one on  the VGN that I have posted from the Deep South 
Traction, Part 1  CD.
 
The attached photo from that CD depicting an  EL-2B was made in Roanoke on 
5/19/54 according to the photo title.   One question that should be documented 
about these locomotives is the linage  of the trucks under these locos.  Does 
anyone know whether these were  standard diesel locomotives trucks that GE used 
under these  giants?
 
Incidentally, I was fortunate to ride in the cab of an  EL-2B from Roanoke to 
Elmore about 1960, and it was a memorable  experience.  The height of the cab 
above the rails was really  impressive!
 
Gordon Hamilton
 
 



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