Where the EMD BL2s very popular locomotives in the switching and mainline operations?
9911A E5
No, not really. The visibility and ease of maintenance were slightly better than the F units, but they were vastly inferior in those regards to locomotives like the Alco RS-1, which EMD later copied to make the GP-7. Basically, they were an awkward and mostly unloved transition locomotive.
Timothy
no. Only 58 were made, and only 9 railroads got them. Production only lasted 13 months.
I would like an HO scale one... Perhaps in Monon.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/2051840668_56548bb306.jpg?v=0)
I see passengers. Perhaps small branch lines?
Josh
That isn't an original picture of it in Revenue Service.
B&M used them in commuter service on occasion, as well as freight service, however they greatly favored the RS3's and GP7/9's. The BL-2's were used as trade ins for GP18's only 10 years after being built.
Santa Fe Buff, like life made one. They were on sale for a long time. I don't think anyone else will make one. I have alway wondered if the Santa Fe had gotten some, how would they paint them. Would it be blue and yellow as a road unit, or black and white as a switch engine.
The Western Maryland had two BL-2s. They kept them until after the Chessie merger. Most of their career they were tied to a slug unit for hump service. The BL-2s were found to have weak frames so that if ever used in consist they would be on the head end. Both Wesrern Maryland BL-2s were saved. One is in the B&O Museum and one is running in Elkins, WV .
I'm sure you can find one on e-bay under Proto 2000.
Wade
Per Wade's response, look for the Proto2000 model. It is much better detailed and runs much better than the old Life-Like version.
RAM,
If you ask me, I would guess in the blue/yellow frieght scheme, or unless it was passenger based, which is unlikely. The Santa Fe favored early E units and F units.
This is the scheme I'm talking about:
http://www.tomstracksidetrains.com/atsf2138.jpg
Or this one with the yellow nose logo instead of the yellow nose and ATSF cross-circle logo.
http://atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/sf5945BARSTOW5-72motis.jpg
SOURCES:
www.tomstracksidetrains.com/aaatomsnscale.htm
www.atsf.railfan.net/atsfpres/atsf95.html
Quote from: ebtnut on February 03, 2009, 03:10:16 PM
Per Wade's response, look for the Proto2000 model. It is much better detailed and runs much better than the old Life-Like version.
Lifelike did make the Proto 2000 BL2s before the Walthers takeover.
AHM - Associated Hobby Manufacturers (now IHC) did a BL2 many years ago. This didn't have the detail or operations quality of the Proto unit.
Thanks for the facts everybody.
9911A E5
Looky,
If found a Life-Like Proto 2000 BL-2 for Monon:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/2182214656_857fd3e42b.jpg?v=0)
Josh
The letters 'BL' stood for branch line. Internally the loco was the same as an F3. It had better visibility, and did not have to be turned around at the end of a branch. The body offered the same access problems, for maintenance, as an F unit. The access problems were solved by the GP7's hood design.
With that in mind, it's really surprising not many were drawn to the locomotive. I think it was the body design. Trust me, I'll take a nice looking F unit over a BL-2 any day.
Sincerely,
Green Diamond
What intrigues me is that the BL 2 was a low hood design and had a full, across body window that was not carried over immediately in the geeps that replaced it.
I think part of the reason the BL-2 wasn't popular was that they suffered from weak frames. The WM originally used theirs in road service, but they developed frame cracks which probably led to their demotion to yard service. The F-unit carbody was a part of the structural integrity of the unit. The Geeps had a "body on frame" design (hello, GM) wherein the hoods were simply to protect the engine components. Some wags have referred to the BL-2's as "F-units with chain guards".
The GPs needed a place for the steam generator. They is why the high hood.
Quote from: RAM on February 06, 2009, 01:22:15 PM
The GPs needed a place for the steam generator. They is why the high hood.
If I recall correctly, the BL2 was available with a steam generator for passenger service. Not knowing much about such things, any idea why the BL2 didn't need a high hood to accomodate one?
You recalled correctly, the BL2 was available with a steam generator for passenger service. The BL2 was built like the F-units with a wide body, and had room for a steam generator. I also think it was longer than the GPs.
I had the fortune of a cab ride in #82 with the West Virginia Centril Railroad this past summer. (plus a few other amenities we won't mention) You can move about the engine compartment very much like the F units and the BL2 #82 does have a steam generator although not used much. They use it for road service for both passenger and freight. In the winter they also use it in the Belington Yard for switching. If they do any switching here in Elkins Yard (which they do by the way) then they use the BL2 along with one or two of the FP7 units do to the altitude they have to pull any rolling stock with. By the way, if anyone is interested, the WVC has the only FP7 ABA MU that they know of! Just a little FYI. Stephen