Information about B&O's 44 tonners

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I posted this question on the Prototype Information forum as well but since this forum gets many more “hits,” thought I’d post it here also.

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!

2

I believe they were bought as a replacements for B&O’s “Little Joe” or “Docksider” 0-4-0Ts to work in the docks district of Baltimore. As they were much lighter than the steamers they replaced, they were often overloaded and didn’t last long in their intended industrial switching assignments. This information is dimly remembered from a product review in MR or RMC when the Spectrum 44 tonners first came out.

By the way, I have two of these - both two motored. One has always run well, the other suffered a cracked axle gear early on but now runs well with a replacement gear from Bachmann.

But somewhere on this form there must be someone who knows more about the B&O’s 44-tonners.

Jim