EMD Displays – Crankcase Standing On End

This display was shown at the EMD 1947 Open House. It was a new EMD 567 engine crankcase borrowed from production, that was used in a new locomotive after the event.

The EMD engine crankcases are intricate structures and quite impressive as this kind of display. The advantage of vertical display is that the crankcase requires very little floor space. The disadvantage is that this imposes a tremendous weight load on a small area of floor.

PC

Indeed, an amazing assemblage of pieces, then precisely machined. (I have the print version of your Inside EMD series.)

Now we are left to guess if this one ended up inside an E, a switcher, or some non rail use.

Just a note on the status of that print series: The first part of the three-part "Inside EMD" series in R&LHS RAILROAD HISTORY (Issue #218 - Building EMD engines) has been completely sold out for a very long time now. The second part (Issue #219 - Building Main Generators, Traction Motors, and Electrical Cabinets) was down to a couple issues available last time I checked with R&LHS. As of a couple months ago there was a supply of part three (Issue #220 - Locomotive Assembly and the Demolition of Plant One) still available. The lecture program was retired 5 years ago. Some of the content from "Inside EMD" was incorporated into the parts of the Kalmbach "EMD at 100" video that I scripted and narrated.

https://rlhs.org/Publications/History/rrhback.shtml

PC

A web version of your presentation would make a wonderful addition to this site. I believe you’ve said the live version had many more photos. So would a version of “The Trouble With E Units” assuming it can be done without violating prior rights.

If it had been possible to post to RYPN directly, it could have been considered, but as far as I know there is still no access for posting web features here. If "Inside EMD" ever does make it to the web, it will most likely be a format/version that I develop myself. After several decades of doing publication and sales promotional work in the industry, I find it is generally more difficult and time consuming to guide others through developing another version of the presentation than it is to simply do it myself.

PC

I presume it would be put on the site via the web masters here, not a DIY upload by an average user. You’d write and code it yourself and perhaps beta test on another server. When you are satisfied you turn over the resulting html and image files to the folks here who’d make no changes beyond adjusting the links so the photos come up correctly. It’s your show do you know exactly how it should be.

Since the Trains Magazine "EMD at 100" video is now close to release, I will just confirm that much of the storyboard and the unscripted narration of the history section of the "Inside EMD" lecture program were adapted for the sections of the EMD video that I narrated. It will all sound familiar to those who saw the program. After almost 20 years of showings, there was no point in making major changes in the content or the narration.

PC

My older son (a welder) at first did not believe thees to be all welded, until at an open house at La Grange he saw one as well as the size and amperage of the equipment they had.

I learned they were all welded via an article in Trains Magazine in the mid-1960s, which covered how the various stock was provided and prepared. I was indignant that it was merely 'welded together' instead of being cast the way I knew automotive engine blocks were... but that's a seven-year-old's perspective. ;-}

Really just a framework to hold the PAs, crank, and cams, etc. And all the other things you need to hang on to it.

For an eight page color photo sequential tour of EMD crankcase and engine construction see Railfan & Railroad April 2010 pages 24 through 31.

PC

Interesting to see one sitting on end like that. I have heard stories of Stewart & Stevenson converted a few EMD's to run like that for the oil field, but have never seen the photos.

I have seen plenty of converted 6, 8, 12 and 16V71 engines converted to run on end like this running pumps. Very odd seeing it and reminiscent of the 184, 338 and 358 engines, just smaller.

The experimental submarine Albacore, on display in Portsmouth NH, has a pair of GM 16-338 engines, standing on end. Built in an X configuration, these were not the most successful design. I have toured that sub; engine room is not much bigger than a large closet. Interesting sub and history, worth taking a few minutes to look into.

The 184A, 338 and 358H were all "X" style engines - very unique. As far as I know, Albacore has the only surviving 338 engines (not that many were made). No known 358's survive, and a handful of 184's are kicking around.

I have a full set of blueprints for the 338 if anyone should want to build one..
https://vintagedieseldesign.com/2020/07 ... 38-teaser/