Does anyone have any information on the (evidently) three GE 44-tonners B&O rostered? I have pics of them from the Rails Northeast site but would like some more information, such as where they operated and for how long. After purchasing my fifth Bachman 44 tonner (this one in B&O livery, #20), one that runs exceptionally well (finally!), I am considering keeping it in B&O colors.
Any help would be appreciated. By the way, the two two-motor 44 tonners are history, a third (one motor) is now a spare-parts supply, and a fourth runs pretty well, after extensive work and “tweaking.” These models are frustrating at times, operationally, but look great on my point-to-point switching layout. I might be “leasing” a B&O 44-tonner if I can concoct a believable story about it!
This is speculatiion but I would suspect they replaced the little 0-4-0 saddletank switchers in and around the port of Baltimore. If the B&O had the same experience as the PRR they found out very qucikly an 0-4-0 steam engine could handle and do a lot more than the 44 tonners. Pennsy soured on them very quickly.
trnj,
I know exactly what you mean. I have an older 2-motor Pennsy 44-tonner adorning the top of my computer at home. Bought it used off of ebay and it never really ran well. Oh, well. At least it looks good …
tom