Here are three images from Drew Jacksich showing the Little Joe E21 in action, August, 1971.
Image three shows the “rear” of a Little Joe. Note the windows are blocked out. By this time was the E21 (and any others) geared to only operate in only one direction? This would mean it would have been necessary to turn the locomotive around. More curious still, is the fact the locomotive rear number is covered as well. What would be the reason for this?
Engine was probably not turned around but the units–diesel and electric–were kept together and just reversed. It probably became cheaper to maintain just one cap on the Little Joe.
Out of every “railroad” thing that has existed in my lifetime, not having gotten out to see the MLW in Idaho and under wire, is my biggest regret!
The Milwaukee Road ‘Little Joe’ engines were pickup on a cancelled Russian order. GE rewired them for the Milwaukee’s 3,000 VDC overhead. 2 of the engines were assigned to passenger service, the rest to freight service. They were built to operate as bi-directional locomotives. When they arrived on the Milwaukee property the had a series of electrical issues and the rear cab are was used for new electrical control equipment, and they became ‘single ended’. Normally, only 2 of the ‘Joes’ could operate in MU as the substations had trouble keeping enough power on the overhead. Each of the units could deliver over 5,000 hp. The overhead voltage was raised to 3300 VDC and then to 3600 VDC over the years. Under ‘good wire’, they could generate 5500 hp.
The Milwaukee Road had ‘wye’ tracks and turntables(Deer Lodge) to turn the engines. There was no ‘wire’ on the turntable or in the roundhouse. The Milwakee had an old FM road truck with couplers and an ‘extension’ cable to move the electric engines in/out of the Deer Lodge roundhouse/shop.
Jim
The Milwaukee Road had ‘wye’ tracks and turntables(Deer Lodge) to turn the engines. There was no ‘wire’ on the turntable or in the roundhouse. The Milwakee had an old FM road truck with couplers and an ‘extension’ cable to move the electric engines in/out of the Deer Lodge roundhouse/shop.
Just to add a little more information to this- the Milwaukee Road’s facilities at Harlowton (east end of the wire) and Avery (west end of the wire) both had 105’ electrified turntables to spin the units- so having only one of the two ends utilized on the Little Joes was not a big deal. While Deer Lodge was the main heavy repair shop for the electrics, Harlowton also handled inspections and smaller repairs. The wires above the turntables resembled a spider’s web, with the wire running to each electrified stall and track.