GE Electric Locomotive Experts- Ever seen one of these?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Hello.

I have been unable to find any evidence (on the Internet, at least) that this locomotive ever existed.

Is the box correctly labelled? Can anyone direct me to a reference book which might have more information on this critter? I’d like to know when the prototype was manufactured, and who the users were.

Any and all insights will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.

2

It is GE c/n #4861 “built for speculation in December 1914 for display at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco” in 1917 it was sold to the Berkshire Street Railway in Pittsfield, Mass. to become their #30.

Source of this information Inturban Electric Locomotives From General Electric by Joseph A. Strrapac Shade Tree Books 2001, there is a photo on page 93.
There is no mention of the wheel gauge in the book so it was probably standard gauge and although GE made a number of 4-wheel locos, some even smaller, the 4861 appears to have been the only one of this type made.

3

Thank you, Sir!

4

Now that is PAINFUL CUTE.

5

It followed me home - can I keep it? I can see that running through all sorts of interesting scenery on a layout. Thanks for sharing.

work safe

6

There were/are ones like this in Europe also. Check Marklin, Fleischman, Roco, Liliput, etc. Cool model!

underworld

Easter Easter Easter Easter Easter!!!

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

7

Thank you all for your information, comments, and kind words. I’m a complete sucker for these little critters. Had to buy it, even though I had no idea what it was. That’s the seller’s picture. The locomotive is now in the mail, and I’ll post better pictures on the General Discussion forum once it arrives.

Now- does any New Haven fan out there have a copy of Volume 14, Issue 3 ( 1983) of Shoreliner magazine, and a scanner? This locomotive is supposed to be featured in a short article in that edition.

8

The AMC Gremlin of juice jacks!

You have to wonder what its tractive effort was.

Momma, can I keep it???Pleeeeeeeeeeeeease!!

Thanks for sharing.

9

Ya know, it suggests to me the potential for converting an MDC Model 40 “Critter” into a freelanced small electric.

Modify the cab and the hoods a little to eliminate the “EMD look”, then add a trolley pole…

Hmmm…

10

A somewhat similar size of electric locomotive (but two truck I think) was used here in Milwaukee at the Solvay Coke Company, but the overhead electric was picked up via a small pantagraph not a trolley pole. They used these perhaps into the 1970s. I assume it would shuttle cars of coke to the loaders
Dave Nelson

11

M. O. M.[;)],
If an NH fan doesn’t respond, you might want to check with the NMRA’s Kalmbach Memorial Library:
http://www.nmra.org/library/
to see if they have a copy of that issue of Shoreliner on their shelves. Their photocopy price is reasonable, even if you’re not a member.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

12

Thanks again to all for your kind words, excellent intel, and welcome suggestions. A few larger pictures of the model are now on the General Discussion Forum.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35615

13

It is a very common electric industrial locomotive. Similar ones were in steel mills and industrial plants all across the US.

Dave H.

14

It also reminds me of the very early Panama Canal mules.