I have been digging through everything I can find on EL and I am in the very beginning stages of creating what I hope will be my retirement hobby. I just purchased on eBay an K-Line EL Passenger set (K44251) and I am going to want to match them with the right locomotive. It would appear that the EMD F3 (ABA) or E8 (A - did they use a B?) are the right fit. But I am having trouble identifying which O Gauge manufacturer offered one of these models.
I pull my Williams Erie-Lackawanna cars with a Lionel 2321 Lackawanna Train Master.
The Erie Lackawanna used an ABBA engine lash-up for freight trains. Passenger they may have used two A units.
Atlas, Lionel, MTH or Williams have some engines that may be what you are looking for.
Lee F.
I have original Williams, (Not Bachmann/Williams), E.-L., FA-1, FB-1, FB-1, FA-1, engines, they are full 1:48 scale, made with metal chasis frames, which is a little more dear in price, but they are most prototypically correct.
Good Luck,
Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year,
Ralph