EMD's 25th Anniversary

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

EMD's 25th anniversary was a long time ago, back in 1947 to be exact. I recently came across a list of the in-plant displays that were featured for the open house, in a collection of papers saved by a GM manager. I just thought this was fascinating and might be worthwhile to have in print:

A complete F3 machinery set mounted on a skid: 16-567B engine, main generator, auxiliary generator, accessory rack and controls, with carpeted side viewing ramps.

A complete Winton 12-201A engine with locomotive main generator.

Three types of Winton Gas Engines used in gas-electric cars.

An eight cylinder 201 engine, probably one of the ones from Century of Progress.

An EMD 184A US Navy "pancake" radial engine with transmission.

A display of cutaway fuel injectors for EMD, Winton, and Detroit Diesel engines.

A cutaway EMD 567B engine cylinder power assembly.

A cross sectioned EMD 567B engine mounted on a movable stand.

Three cutaway Woodward governors, an SI, a PG, and a UG.

A complete F3 roof cooling hatch with radiators, fans, and engine air filters, displayed in a rack on its side so visitors could view it from what would normally be top and bottom angles.

An EMD 12-567B crankcase displayed vertically, standing on its end plates.

Two types of EMD locomotive main generators, and a third generator partially disassembled.

EMD traction motors, both assembled and disassembled.

A Blomberg truck complete with traction motors, on wheels as a floor display.

An EMD A-1-A "E" unit truck with traction motors, in a stand holding it at an angle so visitors could see both the top and bottom.

Several cutaway models of EMD locomotives, including a large cutaway E7.

Keep in mind this was just the equipment indoors, the list does not include the locomotives on display in the plant yard.

PC

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

Preston,

Is the 184a the one later marketed by Cleveland?

Paul

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

Yes, it is the same. At the time the marine and industrial marketing was handled from Cleveland, but the "pancake" engines were built by EMD in La Grange.

PC

NH0401 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:48 am

Sounds comparable (in terms of elaborate displays) to the open house held back in 1977. Was the 1947 event open ot the public ??

DPK

Nova55 · **Joined:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:09 pm **Posts:** 597

Preston,

Thanks. Are there any of those 148s still around? Better yet...what were they even used in?

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

The Model 184A diesel engine was used in WW2 USN submarine chaser vessels. It was a very high performance engine for its day, 1200 h.p. in about the space of a kitchen refrigerator. There was one engine saved by an EMD field service representative, he sold it to Marine Systems of Houma, Louisiana, and as far as I know it is still their "pet" engine at their shop.

Answering Dave's question, yes the 25th anniversary open house was public access, and there was an extensive outdoor equipment display as well as the floor displays described above.

PC

PCook · **Joined:** Sat Jul 02, 2005 7:16 am **Posts:** 2127

There will be a 12-page feature article on EMD's 25th Anniversary 1947 Open House in the next issue of the R&LHS Railroad History Magazine. It is illustrated with 15 photographs of the event and the various displays, including the cutaway engines, the inclined E-unit truck, the floor engine displays, and the vertically displayed 16-cylinder crankcase. My thanks to the R&LHS for providing the means to publish a detailed documentation of this historically significant EMD event.

PC