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The incredible "Visible E8" Model
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Author:  mxdata [ Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  The incredible "Visible E8" Model

Back in the late 1940s when EMD was planning the E8 locomotive, they built a model of the locomotive which was very much like the machinery mock-ups that the navy used to do of the engineering spaces on warships, built in a smaller scale to check the fit of major equipment and piping. The "Visible E8" was about ten feet long and had full carbody details on the left side, and an open right side with all the machinery reproduced in the appropriate scale. If I recall correctly the roof panels were hinged and could be lifted to expose the details of all the radiator sections and air inlet ducting. Does anyone know if this model made it to a museum, whether it might still be at Electro-Motive, or if it is in a warehouse somewhere in Detroit?

Author:  Alexander D. Mitchell IV [ Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The incredible "Visible E8" Model

I *think* that model, or a nearly identical one, is on display in the B&O Museum; I also *think* it's on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.

Author:  Erik Ledbetter [ Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The incredible "Visible E8" Model

Like Sandy, I'm not sure this is exactly what you're asking about, but yes it belongs to SI and yes it is at the B&O Museum on exhibit right now. Here's the SI NMAH online catlog entry with photo:http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthemove/collection/object_805.html

Author:  mxdata [ Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The incredible "Visible E8" Model

Erik and Sandy, thank you both for your excellent answers. That is indeed the model, the technical information would indicate it is a little smaller than I remembered but I am quite sure that is the same one I remember. A couple of interesting points, it cost $40K when built, a lot of money for those days. And there were several extra 12-567B engine models constructed in the same scale, they were in the Engineering Department at least into the 1970s.Thanks!PC

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