We've added info on the repainting of one of our two MARC/BN/CB&Q E8s to the restoration projects page of our web site. We've also updated photos on the DMIR 2-10-2 and IT Class C projects. The E8 is nearly at the bottom of the page, just scroll down.

Museum of Transportation Projects
rdgoldfede@aol.com

Wow, the number and scope of the projects underway at MoT is very impressive! I look forward to seeing the early (9908) and late (E8) examples of CBQ passenger power lined up for photos. Also, the restoration of the 1595 looks very nice. Is there any chance of this locomotive running - i.e. has an evaluation been done of the motors and electrical components? Now THAT is something I would really love to see run!!

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

The description of the project states:

"Does anyone know where we can get a pilot for it?"

Isn't the pilot that is presently on the unit the original - only modified to reflect the removal of the coupler covers?

rrhistorian@hotmail.com

That DOES look like the original EMD "passenger" pilot, minus the coupler covers. Did CB&Q's E8's have the stainless steel side sheets and if so are they under the green paint?

Electric City Trolley Museum Association

The present pilot was installed by Morrison-Knudson during a rebuilding in about 1973, and is not original. It has no slope, being straight up and down, and much heavier than the original. The photo is deceiving. Any intact E or F unit pilot would probably do the job for us. The side panels were replaced at the same time, eliminating the portholes.

Museum of Transportation
rdgoldfede@aol.com

Do the long term plans also include undoing the other modifications made in the MK rebuilding, such as replacing the Cummins HEP generator with a steam generator, replacing the 645 power assemblies with 567 ones, replacing the electro-pneumatic brakes with 24RL, replicating stainless-steel side panels.


rrhistorian@hotmail.com

The RR Museum of New England made a new pilot for their ex-UP E9 several years ago. Unlike the "freight" pilots (compound curved and difficult to form), EMD passenger pilots are relatively flat sheets and easier to replicate. I'll bet the RRMNE folks could help you out with drawings at least. Also, there are a couple of guys who have transplanted EMD bulldog noses into their basements, though I don't know if the pilots were saved. Striegel, NRE and others have cut up lots of E units, but don't know if any pilots were saved. As some E's were still in commuter use, they may have saved one or two for possible accident damage replacement.

> Do the long term plans also include undoing
> the other modifications made in the MK
> rebuilding, such as replacing the Cummins
> HEP generator with a steam generator,
> replacing the 645 power assemblies with 567
> ones, replacing the electro-pneumatic brakes
> with 24RL, replicating stainless-steel side
> panels.


ryarger@rypn.org

Repowering the loco is extremely doubtful as of now. Portholes and a new pilot, if possible, are as far as I've heard mentioned. As for the stainless steel side panels, according to the roster info from the Burlington Route Historical Society, this unit never had them. The loco came to us without the auxiliary power unit, so there is space where it used to be located at the back, but we have no plans to find and install a steam generator again. We may remove the louvered panels as part of a more complete cosmetic job in the future, perhaps when the portholes go in.

Museum of Transportation
rdgoldfede@aol.com

The linked photo, from George Elwood's Short Line and Fallen Flag Railroad site www.rr-fallenflags.org - clearly shows a former CB&Q E with stainless-steel side panels. Other photos on the site show other former CB&Q units (in BN transitionary paint) with stainless steel panels. What units were not equipped with such panels?


rrhistorian@hotmail.com

> What units were not equipped with such panels?

According to "Burlington Bulletin #10" published by the Burlington Route Historical Society, here's the breakdown.

CB&Q's first two orders for E8's, ord# 2012 and 2023, were for units that had painted steel sides. These were #9937B and #9938AB-9946AB, which arrived between Dec 1949 and May 1950 (ord# 2012, 19 units) and #9947AB-9948AB and #9949A which arrived in late 1950 (ord# 2023, 5 units). The Q's third order for E8's was ord# 2048, delivered in late 1952; these units were delivered with stainless steel side panels. They were numbered #9964-9969 (6 units). The last order for E8's was ord# 2059, in late 1953, for units with stainless steel side panels. This order consisted of #9970-9977 (8 units).

HOWEVER, note that the BRHA bulletin also says that the CB&Q retrofitted stainless sides onto many of the E's that had been delivered with steel sides because of the decreased maintenance cost. You may have to consult the photographic record to find out for sure.

By the way, on the subject of pilots, be aware that F-unit and E-unit pilots are different heights.

Frank Hicks


fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

> Portholes and a new pilot, if
> possible, are as far as I've heard
> mentioned.

How difficult (or easy) is it to replace the portholes? I would suppose that the non-opening windows would not be very difficult, but those that originally opened might be a bit tougher. I don't think all of the porthole windows opened, did they?

On a related note in restoring Es, is there any source for the various types on stainless grillwork on the upper sides. I seem to remember there being some problems finding this material when the Atlanta Chapter NRHS Southern Ry E-8 6901 was being rebuilt for service on the New Georgia Railroad.



syfrettinc@bellsouth.net

Thanks, Ron for the explanation. Bennett Levin replaced the portholes on his PRR E-8's. He might have some input on a source. Also, one of his E-8's got a plow pilot during its Amtrak days so he might have some info on the pilots too.

Electric City Trolley Museum Association

KLSC E-8 #95 (Ex-C&NW 5030A, Ex-Metra 518), now stored on the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad at Horicon,WI, is facing it's turn with the scrapper's torch real soon. The WSOR had retained this unit (after it suffered an electrical fire) as a parts source for it's other E's. But, now that the railroad's other E's have been sold, the WSOR has no use for her. I know IRM was looking to get some parts from her, maybe MOT could get some also.


ddg14@attbi.com

The CB&Q 9939A was "unveiled" Friday, September 13th as a part of the Burlington Route Historical Society's Annual Convention in St. Louis. Unfortunately the portholes were not ready for the unveiling, but will be added soon. John Lee (L) and myself (R) are extremely grateful to Molly Butterworth at the Museum of Transport for allowing us to undertake this project, and to Don, Jeff and Ted for the many hours of effort in very hot weather to get her done on time! Others involved in the project that need recognition are George Rust and Bob Mitchell at DuPont; Scott Blair at the BNSF Havelock Shops; Ron Hirsch at the BNSF West Burlington Shops; Dave Dote at the Illinois Railway Museum; AnyKinda Signs; Stiern Laser; Lasermasters; Kenalloy Foundry and the Burlington Route Historical Society.



Dave_Lotz@msn.com

> The CB&Q 9939A was "unveiled"
> Friday, September 13th as a part of the
> Burlington Route Historical Society's Annual
> Convention in St. Louis. Unfortunately the
> portholes were not ready for the unveiling,
> but will be added soon. John Lee (L) and
> myself (R) are extremely grateful to Molly
> Butterworth at the Museum of Transport for
> allowing us to undertake this project, and
> to Don, Jeff and Ted for the many hours of
> effort in very hot weather to get her done
> on time! Others involved in the project that
> need recognition are George Rust and Bob
> Mitchell at DuPont; Scott Blair at the BNSF
> Havelock Shops; Ron Hirsch at the BNSF West
> Burlington Shops; Dave Dote at the Illinois
> Railway Museum; AnyKinda Signs; Stiern
> Laser; Lasermasters; Kenalloy Foundry and
> the Burlington Route Historical Society.

She is absolutely stunning! Can't wait until the portholes get installed. Guess I might have to stop by MOT while I'm in St. Louis for the 1522 trip. With all of the other ex-"Q" E units hanging around, it sure is nice to see one done up properly.
Don C.

old_fxrs@msn.com