This is the AB6, which kind of looks like a F-unit with a railcar/doodlebug cab. These had a 1,000hp v12 567. Two were built for the Rock Island in 1940 and scrapped in the mid 1970s. In later years they had HEP and used for push-pull commuter service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_AB6
At Blue Island in 1965
At Chicago in 1973
Before the “Crandall Cab E-7s” you had the AB6…Originally purchased to split the Rocky Mountain Rockets at Limon for the westbound runs on to Colorado Springs (via CRIP, now gone) and to Denver (via UP, KP line)
I believe the Diesel spotters guides show these, I know I’ve seen other pictures. Interesting study in locomotive development. Ironically, this engine looks more modern in some ways than subsequent E units.
In use it was accompanied by a standard E unit. At a certain point the train was split for two different destinations and each engine pulled a separate section of the train. hence the need for a limited cab and headlight.
EMD built the two AB6 units for RI with a single 1,000 hp diesel and a baggage compartment where a second diesel would normally be located in an E6B unit. When they were transferred to Chicago commute services they were rebuilt with two 1,000 hp diesels and a Cummins HEP set.
Also classed as AB6 units by EMD was an E6A unit with a baggage compartment where the secnd diesel would have been located in a standard E6. This unit was built for the MP for the Delta Eagle.
Another EMD unit classed AB6 by EMD was the CB&Q Silver Charger the last shovelnose diesel built for the Burlington without looking it up i believe its number was 9906. It also had a single 1,000 hp diesel and a baggage compartment where a second diesel should have been.This unit was built for the General Pershing Zephyr. Of all of the AB6 units built this one is housed in the National Transportation Museum in St. Louis.
Al - in - Stockton
The AB6’s got their second 567 engine long before they were transferred to the suburban pool. MP 7100 and CB&Q 9908 (Silver Charger) were both classified by EMD as AA6’s. The AA model designation was a bit of a catchall for custom designs.
You are absolutely right on all counts Paul that is what I get for to early in the morning.
Al - in - Stockton
It would probably be appropriate to mention also, the EMC E1’s. That were built by ElectroMotive Corp, and St. Louis Car (The car bodies); They ran on the Santa Fe SuperChiefs. At one point the Santa Fe even added a “bulldog-style” nose to one unit; predating the famous profile, of the follow on “E” family of diesel A-B units.
I’ve seen pictures of old EMD F series B units converted into industrial switchers with a small operators station on one end (IIRC, some of these also had radio/remote control). These were primarily built in-house by Appalachian Coal mine operations for working tipples. I believe they earned the railfan nickname of “bugslug”(although they were locomotives and not slug units)…
The 1 & 1A were not E1’s. There preceeded the E1’s and were ‘boxcab’ road units(1935). They were rebuilt through the years pilot wheels to aid in high speed tracking, and at least one of them got the ‘sort of’ streamlined ‘bulldog’ nose. Based on the problems with the 1/1A, ATSF asked EMD to investigate an engine with better high speed tracking, and a raised turret cab to get the engine crew better collision protection. The result was the B&O EA/EB and the AT&SF E1A/E1B units(1937). The twin boxcab set was in Super Chief operation from May 1936 through May 1937. The new E1A/E1B locomotives replaced them at that point. And to quote the ad writers - ’ A Star was Born’.
Here is a good link to the history/pictures of these units:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_1800_hp_B-B
Jim
B Units as built, had a set of controls for Hostler use in moving the units around locomotive shop and ready track areas.