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From: Blue Moon Network Administrator root AT net DOT bluemoon DOT net
Date: Wed, 5 Jun 2002 12:53:04 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: RE: (erielack) This month's EL calendar photo....
"GE_MexDemo1.jpg" - image/jpeg, 38250 bytes, 640x451 (256c)

On Tue, 4 Jun 2002, Tupaczewski, Paul R (Paul) wrote:
>
> Henry hasn't scanned any of the issues around the timeframe of these units, so I can't verify the Magazine comment... ;)
>

I haven't seen the UM units in any issues which are here.

There is a blurb on page 26 of the Aug. '56 issue with the attached photo of
an export hood unit going to Mexico:

>>>>>

These two road switcher diesel locomotives were built bu the General Electric
Co. for demonstration in Mexico. Before sending them to Mexico, GE decided to
test them on the Erie. They were tested for 30 days and are shown here at our
fueling station at Marion, Ohio. The switchers (sic) are 1800 horsepower
units and were used by us in actual heavy service.

<<<<<

The image in the magazine wasn't the greatest to start with unfortunately.

It looks sort of like a cross between an Alco RS-11 and a high hood U25B. It
obviously roamed some as it is being serviced at Marion in the photo.


> Seriously, though, the units were supposed to run over the entire system. They were on the road for a good number of years, but they were never OWNED by the Erie. Many builders did this as well - they would lease them to railroads (usually for free or a very low price) to obtain valuable test data. GE has had other units that were preproduction, painted up for their host roads, but still owned the builder (B32-8's on BN, B39-8's on ATSF for example). The Erie "FA-wannabes" fall into this category as well. I don't think the Erie was given the option of purchasing them, and I don't know if they'd really want to purchase a prototype set of units, anyway.
>

It seems like the Erie and EL hosted a lot of demos and new units for testing.
The primer U50C also comes to mind, shown in the video at

http://el-list.railfan.net/videos/index.htm

I'd have to say that the Erie and EL's proximity and willingness to use their
locos made them ideal for testing. Maybe they didn't trust the NKP or NYC to
play nice with their power...

Henry

J. Henry Priebe Jr. Blue Moon President & Network Administrator
root@bluemoon.net www.bluemoon.net - Blue Moon Internet Corp
V.90, X2 & K56flex www.railfan.net - The Railfan Network



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