EMC E4

20th century train locomotive From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The EMC E4 was a 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kW), A1A-A1A passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive built by the Electro-Motive Corporation of La Grange, Illinois. All were built for the Seaboard Air Line Railway. The E4 was the fifth model in a long line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units.

Power typeDiesel-electric
Power typeDiesel-electric
Serial number832-837 (3000-3005), 838-840 (3100-3102), 807 (3006), 851 (1939 later 3013), 852 (1939B later 1940B then 3104), 960-965 (3007-3012) & 966 (3103).
Quick facts Type and origin, Power type ...
EMC E4
SAL #3003 leads the Orange Blossom Special into Plant City, Florida, in December 1938, inaugurating diesel service in the Southeast.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderElectro-Motive Corporation (EMC)
Serial number832-837 (3000-3005), 838-840 (3100-3102), 807 (3006), 851 (1939 later 3013), 852 (1939B later 1940B then 3104), 960-965 (3007-3012) & 966 (3103).
ModelE4
Build dateOctober, 1938 – December, 1939
Total produced14 A units, 5 B units
Specifications
Configuration:
  AARA1A-A1A
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter36 in (0.914 m)
Wheelbase:
  Truck14ft 1in
Length71ft 1 1/4in
Width10ft 7in
Height13ft 11in (14ft including horns)
Loco weight315,000 Lbs (A-unit), 290,000 Lbs (B-units)
Fuel capacity1,200 gallons
Lubricant cap.330 gallons
Sandbox cap.16 cu. ft.
Prime moverEMC 12-567, 2 off
RPM:
  Maximum RPM800
Engine typeV12 Two stroke diesel × 2
Traction motorsGM D7 (4),
Cylinders12 × 2
Gear ratio52:15
Loco brakeAir brake
Performance figures
Maximum speed116 mph (187 km/h)
Power output2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
Tractive effort:
  Starting56,500 lbf (251.32 kN)
  Continuous31,000 lbf (137.89 kN)
Career
OperatorsSeaboard Air Line
Retired1964
DispositionAll scrapped
Close

The 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) was achieved with two EMC model 567 V12 engines developing 1,000 hp (750 kW), each engine driving its own electrical generator to power the traction motors.

The front noses of the EA, E1A, E3A, E4A, E5A, and E6A cab units had a pronounced slant when viewed from the side. Therefore, these six models have been nicknamed "slant nose" units. Later E-unit models received the same blunted "bulldog nose" as the F-units.

Ironically, the E4 was produced before the E3. Both models were identical, save for the E4 having a pneumatically-operated nose door passageway in order to facilitate crew movement between units in a locomotive consist.

All the E4s were retired and scrapped by 1964.

Original owners

More information Railroad, Quantity A units ...
RailroadQuantity
A units
Quantity
B units
Road numbersNotes
Electro-Motive Corporation (demonstrator)11939to SAL 3013
Electro-Motive Corporation (demonstrator)11939Brenumbered EMC 1940B,
to SAL 3104
Seaboard Air Line Railway133000–3012
Seaboard Air Line Railway43100–3103
Close

See also

References

  • Lamb, J. Parker (2007). Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive. Railroads Past and Present. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34863-0.
  • Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series. Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-258-2.
  • Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. pp. EMD–121– to EMD–123. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
  • Schafer, Mike (1998). Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Enthusiast Color Series. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-0507-2.
  • Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-7603-0666-6.
  • Solomon, Brian (2006). EMD Locomotives. St. Paul, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-2396-0.
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Vintage Diesel Power. Minneapolis, Minnesota: MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-3795-0.
  • Solomon, Brian (2011). Electro-Motive E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-4007-3.
  • Solomon, Brian (2012). North American Locomotives: A Railroad-by-Railroad Photohistory. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-4370-8.
  • Wilson, Jeff (2002). E Units: Electro-Motive's Classic Streamliners. Classic Trains / Golden Years of Railroading series. Waukesha, WI, USA: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890246068.
  • Media related to EMC E4 locomotives at Wikimedia Commons

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