EMC EA: The First E Unit

The 1930s were an interesting time for American railroads. It was a time full of surprises, streamlining, and general innovations. Notably, the diesel-electric locomotive was starting to do its rounds on a select few American railroads. However, these early diesels were still relatively unproven, and typically relegated to yard or industrial switching. However, this soon changed with the advent of the diesel streamliner. In 1934, Union Pacific's M-10000 and the Chicago Burlington & Quincy's Pioneer Zephyr streamlined train-sets were some of the first examples. They were rather popular and appeared quite modern and futuristic. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad had been testing diesels on passenger service in the meantime and was looking to innovate diesel locomotive technology. This came in the form of Electro-Motive Corporations EA locomotive. It had a striking appearance like no other locomotive of its time. Though, the EMC EA did more than just look flashy, in this video I explain how the EA came to not only innovate locomotive technology of the time, but how it left an impact that still affects locomotive construction in the modern day.
Music Used:
Sonic Colors - Sweet Mountain Act 1
Super Mario 3D World - Super Bell Hill
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Throwback Galaxy
Super Mario 3D World - Super Block Land
Kirby Super Star - Dynablade Overworld
Links:
Instagram: / amtrakguy365
Twitter: / amtrakguy365
Flickr: www.flickr.com...
My Site: amtrakguy365.we...

[@PaulsDMVRailroadsandAviation]

For sure one of the most beautiful diesel locomotives in history! I’m so glad B&O 51 has been preserved today

[@alexander1485]

now it just needs internals.

[@allegro446]

​@alexander1485 i have a feeling the internals (apart from the cab maybe) were scrapped or used for spare parts

[@NScaleTrainBoy]

The sleek lines of an EMC/EMD E Unit are so iconic, and gorgeous. Not as good as the ALCO PA IMO (New Haven fan, what can I say, ALCOs come with the territory!) the E units will always have a special place in my heart and almost any other railfan’s. Thanks for the great video about this icon of early American Diesel Electric market!

[@fernandomarques5166]

The ALCo PA is one the best looking locomotives I have ever seen

[@Trains-With-Shane]

The bare stainless E5-A's of CB&Q were gorgeous. One of these days I need to make my way up to Ilinois and see CB&Q 9911-A

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

I find it sad how locomotives from 80 years ago look cooler than the ones of today.

[@jordanplays-transitandgame1690]

I think Charger SC-44 looks better.

[@natestrains1166]

Function over form

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@jordanplays-transitandgame1690 the SC-44 looks like a car imported from Europe that fell off the boat twice, was dipped in acid, nose cut off and merged with a depressed bus. E-units will always look much better.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@natestrains1166 that doesn't mean we should make everything ugly

[@jordanplays-transitandgame1690]

@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory Tell that to the GP9s that replaced like every good looking steamer

[@paulmishler402]

I love seeing 51 at the B&O railroad museum whenever I visit. This was a nice documentary about her and the other E units.

[@theappalachiarailfans]

I think the earliest E unit I’ve even seen pictures of is an E3, so this was really informative

[@luislaplume8261]

The earliest one were built in 1937 for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad for service between Jersey City, N.J. and Washington D.C. At its terminal on the waterfront there was a ferry service from Battery Park to the terminal and the B and O had a bus service with the colors of the passenger trains that carried people from Columbus Circle in Manhattan to Battery Park. In the 1960s their office was still there but closed. I saw it with my late father on our way to see,the 1962 New York Auto Show at the New York Coliseum.

[@keltee1201]

In 1937, B&O 51 was photographed next to a replica of the Tom Thumb, B&O’s first locomotive and the first locomotive built in the US. The contrast between the two engines shows how much locomotive design and engineering had evolved up to that point.

[@dankthewolfhog5779]

As a Volunteer at the B&O Railroad museum it's so awesome to see you do a video on 51! I got to see a lot of it's restoration in person so I'm glad others get to experience not only the beauty of it but also it's history!

[@bloopbloop9687]

Absolutely some of the most gorgeous locomotives ever, certainly the most beautiful diesels

[@Talesfromtherails8277]

The American transition era, from 1930-1960 slightly before the transition era I guess, is hands down one of, if not the best era of American railroad history ever. Some of the best steam and diesel designs ever produced in my opinion.

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very interesting to see the development and evolution of the E unit series locomotives starting with the B&O rr EA class of 1937. These were the start of the mass production of later E unit models produced in later years for American passenger train service for numerous railroads, the streamlined passenger trains had a sleek & attractive appearance.

[@DerpyPossum]

that streamlined 1800 hp B-B looked like a bootleg Zephyr, lol! good on B&O for such aesthetic innovation, and thanks for the vid 👍

[@Pensyfan19]

Great video on one of the first successful diesel engines in America.

[@luislaplume8261]

The best built pre War E diesel locomotives were the E5 for the Burlington R.R. They were all rounded at the front without a protruding headlight and were made of stainless steel which made for a smoother ride and slow bouncing on the tracks as it ran. The B.and O Railroad had its terminal in Jersey City, N.J across from the Statue of Liberty and from there ran the Capitol Limited, its flagship streamlined train with the EA diesel locomotives from 1937 til 1953. I lived 4 miles from that area in Jersey City at Jersey City Heights. My late mother and my brother and his son flew a kite on a weekend in summer there that is now a park.

[@kristoffermangila]

BTW, the last E5 is now at Union, Illinois at the Illinois Railroad Museum.

[@luislaplume8261]

@@kristoffermangila Go search for a photo of it when it was brand new when it had a fender skirt covering the top half of the wheels for preventing snow and dirt from entering the gears that turn the wheels. Those E5s were considered the best riding pre War streamlined passenger locomotives because of their stainless steel that weighed less tha regular steel. It was described as driving a Cadillac of the era for its smooth ride.

[@andyrob3259]

We had versions of these units with the bullnose front but built locally operated by Victorian Railways in the State of Victoria (Australia) from the early 1950’s until quite recently on regional passenger and freight services. In fact I think some are still floating around.

[@FGH9G]

Man I love the Santa Fe's E1s. So iconic and truly representative of the Golden Age of Diesel-powered passenger rail travel. Great video and fantastic use of Mario soundtracks as always!

[@agentorange153]

Burlington E5 fan here, but all of the streamliners are cool! (Don't like the Alcos much, though, except for the re-engined Rock Island DL-109's -- I just don't like it when a diesel train spews so much stinking black smoke!)

[@GreenBullProductions]

I love emd streamliners here in Australia we built the last streamlined emd loco I the world CL17 or now know as clp10 a other unusual loco to look at is the nsw 421 class locoits a streamliner with a box cab on the back

[@michaelkozak4608]

The restoration performed on B&O #51 is remarkable 👌, it looks absolutely stunning !

[@tylergreen4843]

4:20 the Florida east coast E3 and E6 locomotives on their roster were beautiful

[@sigurdjohnson6617]

Such incredibly beautiful locomotives - the entire package!

[@braysfinds7479]

The original streamlined Boxcab mentioned before the EA is actually preserved. Number 50 is still around crazily, however it's streamlining has been removed.

[@REDACTED4503]

50 was never streamlined.

[@Robert0Pirie]

This dropping the same day "Well, There's Your Problem" does a 3 hour episode on the Penn Central? KZbin is making my day!

[@russellgxy2905]

Something poetic about the E-units as a type starting and ending its career on B&O lines

[@donaldstanfield8862]

That restored unit is gorgeous, love the blue, grey, black livery!

[@josephbugaj8149]

I’ve seen an E9 firsthand, (former BN locomotive, with MARC lettering) the locomotive is abandoned on a siding, with the engines and equipment removed.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

I'm so captivated by these e & f units for some reason. I used to call them sad eyed trains, lol. I still stop in my tracks when I see one.

[@agentorange153]

Why sad-eyed?

[@HoosierDaddy_]

To me the oncoming view looked like a sad face with the windows drooping and the light would be the nose, lol.

[@agentorange153]

@@HoosierDaddy_ Oh, I see! I just never thought of it that way because where I grew up the only mainline diesel around was the TE-115 (basically a licensed copy of the Erie-built box-cab), so the headlights would be the eyes, and the windows would be the forehead -- it just never occurred to me to think of the windows as the eyes! But yes, if I see my sweetheart's eyes drooping like the E-unit's windows (which happens quite often, especially in the winter), I immediately give her a cuddle for as long as she wants, and let her cry on my shoulder if she wants to! (That's one good thing about being in love with a sad woman -- they cuddle a lot more!) Oh, and BTW, a while ago I did a writing exercise about creating fictional characters, and ended up creating a character for Thomas & Friends named "Zelda the Zephyr" (based on the E5 -- I even gave her a number, 9916A), and one of her character traits is that she's very emotional -- which goes well with what you just said here!

[@jordandorsett3106]

B&O 51 and ACL 501 are the Oldest Diesels in America alive and kickin(Still going)

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

Honestly, the E series units are really nice locomotives, I like them

[@ducky_the_helper]

In Australia the E9s still live on as the S class,GM class and 421 class locos with atleast one of each class still in regular freight service

[@markmcfrederick8932]

My favorites are the E8s. Just am mystified by the porthole windows as far as everything else you mentioned.

[@ryalexstudios]

Crazy the Union Pacific logo has barely changed since the 1930s

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

I love how the intro takes advantage of the sound at the beginning of "Sweet Mountain Act 1" sounding like a steam locomotive and adds footage of one. I first thought that was an actual train sound, however when I looked up the song it actually turned out to be part of the music. Very clever, AmtrakGuy365!

[@TheLocomotiveEngineer]

Seeing B&O 51 in person at the B&O Museum is an experience that is difficult to match. It is hands-down one of the best and most thorough cosmetic restorations ever performed on a diesel locomotive. Definitely worth a visit to Baltimore if you're a diesel fan of any kind!

[@platform1productions297]

There will never be a diesel locomotive as beautiful as the E units!

[@Leatherface123.]

Maybe the AT&SF Emd Fp45

[@agentorange153]

@@Leatherface123. How can one POSSIBLY compare the FP-45 to the E-units??? That's like saying that the Seagram Building looks better than the Chrysler Building!

[@alpharailroadproductions]

Great job on the EMC EA Documentary it’s very interesting how it was made and how it changed the railroad industry in the next 20 years. Great Job AmtrakGuy365!

[@iannarita9816]

The beginning of diesel switchers was the Kaufman Electrification Act of 1923. It was a law passed by the New York State Assembly, that mandated electrification of all railroads in New York City by January 1, 1926. The Act made no exclusions, affecting mainline traffic and freight yards in all boroughs of New York City, including the isolated rail system of Staten Island. The Act led to a large influx of diesel locomotives into New York City. (from Wikipedia, The Kaufman Act).

[@PancakeLord00]

Great video! Definitely my favorite streamlined diesel by far

[@cedarvalleyrail8419]

I think a video on Robert Swanson would be neat, he's the main reason modern day horns are the way they are.

[@nak_0519]

That intro was slick.

[@railnaeroproduction6264]

Finally my favorite diesel locomotives !

[@ruckdog]

Great video! What a classic design. BTW, I LOL’ed when my brain finally recognized the remixed Mario64 music you used for the background track 😂

[@itsjusttyler5315]

Imagine a series called oddballs about strange and one-off engines, cars, and equipment

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

I would make those yourself before someone takes the idea

[@itsjusttyler5315]

@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory I wish

[@wcmodelrailroad]

Love the video and great content. Looking forward to watching more.

[@shaunwilliams4231]

My favorite units of all time:)

[@mike32277]

The diesel alone was not the only reason for not embracing the talgo system. The car builders made stand alone passenger equipment also that gave them more flexibility as for the diesel also.

[@brokkrep]

Its fun to stay at the EMCEA!

[@chrisgurney2467]

EMD and ALCO type cab units are still in revenue service here in Australia

[@agentorange153]

EMD is cool, but Alco??? Don't you have air pollution regulations down in Australia??? Or are those re-engined units???

[@chrisgurney2467]

@@agentorange153 most diesels here have been rebuilt to better standards unless they're heritage units so it's not as bad XD

[@AmtrakFan6905]

Yes the EA is by far the best looking diesel locomotive ever in my opinion

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video friend!!! Good history here 👍👍

[@nikolausbautista8925]

Winton 201 Locomotives, are extremely underrated.

[@pickeljarsforhillary102]

Best looking diesel.

[@ethanspaziani1070]

Modern locomotives seriously need to take a look back at their origins especially this beauty they are slowly returning to just being boxes with no aesthetic

[@luismanuelmartinezcastaned8880]

The EA were excellent locomotives, but that very steep front incline made them look very strange...

[@Trainboy3982]

I Like the EMC EA diesels they're really nice

[@jeffreyhunt1727]

Fantastic video!

[@daisymaythevxn]

Never expected to hear sweet mountain act 1 play in the intro

[@Conman_57]

I recently saw B&O 51 in Baltimore

[@uhlijohn]

I loved the CNW's E-8s. I used to hostle them at M19-A. They were eventually all retired after Metra took over suburban passenger service. What was the last year that EMD made E models? I know they made an E-9 for the CB&Q but do not know when they were manufactured.

[@Mr.RailYard-LJLRailYard]

As a B&O fan, this makes me happy.

[@mistermadmachine6311]

Such humble beginnings 😊

[@theodorepeterloff9169]

Yes Ive been waiting for you to do this video

[@ogjk]

Where else can I scratch my itch for railroading and classic jazz versions of video game classics, nowerz I tell ya noz wherz !!

[@snug-fibbage7441]

E units are hella underrated compared to F units

[@an_asian_guy]

funny coincidence I was downloading and MS painting an EMD EA into my railroad paint scheme EDIT: love the intro BTW

[@quattrobajeena1689]

i find it humorous that an E2 would work on the north western.

[@tmwarthunder1016]

The Thumbnail: ECM EA. Me: EA Rails! Challenging Truck Companies

[@Cowlitzperson]

Very nice video it's one few favorite diesel locomotive

[@BnuuyBoi2005]

Awesome video

[@charleskesner1302]

Thanks. Wonderful.

[@jimmypetrock]

if I feel down I watch your videos i get real happy from you and a tipsy

[@johnny5805]

America built so many sexy locomotives. And 25 years before the British too.

[@Bob.W.]

Great that they saved the first one.

[@giansadorra729]

2:45 THE FAST TRAIN IN OLD MOVIE

[@ZombieSlayer-dj3wb]

Good lord that bb makes the bq23 - 7 look good

[@agentorange153]

You should take a look at the TE-116!

[@RailroadNerdOfIllinois]

I’m really liking the series keep it up man

[@MLWQC]

Interesting historical point of view.

[@germansteamlocomotive]

*TWO VIDS IN ONE WEEK!?* Bro, your to generous!

[@crr311sux5]

I love the shit out of E7's-9's , especially the ones from the SP

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

Awesome Video

[@mikeeplays5502]

Wow this was great could you do a video on F-Units I would really enjoy that and I think you would too

[@dylanzinkgraf9671]

Finally, a video with a Sonic Colors soundtrack

[@AndrewTheRadarMan]

Also notable that they made electric locomotives that looked like the EA Units. It's wierd seeing one of these with a pantagraph

[@andyrob3259]

Yes we had them in Australia operated by Victorian Railways in the State of Victoria. We had a single regional electric line (the others were all diesel) down to the Latrobe Valley where our power stations and coal mines were located. Powerful beasts to pull the coal trains.

[@Telcom100]

I love the footage exiting the Harper's Ferry tunnel. 3:56

[@lyricof3003]

Thx for the educational video I learned alot

[@blockstacker5614]

*sees B&O livery* "Neuron activation"

[@lukethegeneralelectrice60p80]

2:40 ah yes more Wabco horns like from F and E units

[@D-Rick_]

At 4:25 that’s the railroad bridge in my town; Kankakee, Illinois

[@Benthetrainkid]

You forgot to mention the E units that were rostered for OCS services (particularly Conrail's)

[@thebigbluesteamengine63]

the e unit is my favorite locomotive

[@vuurvrrailfanner4656]

3:57 this scene looks like the scene on runaway train 1985

[@warriorstar2517]

how has this not been made for trainz yet?

[@jeffrichman4298]

My museum I volunteer at has a Burlington e9 no.9913

[@des_smith7658]

So stylish

[@jordaneriksson5417]

Was there supposed to be a E10 or even a F10 unit for emd or they didn't think about that?

[@TruenoD12]

The name of the horn is webco E2

[@jasonhadfield1551]

Hi awesome video

[@quasimoto7662]

Fortunately for us that boxcab also lives on

[@kristoffermangila]

And at the same museum as EA 51.

[@quasimoto7662]

@@kristoffermangila nope. The box cab, #50, is in St Louis

[@maxhemenway]

I Love It!

[@Wemfsh]

I wonder how it was like too see it when it was new

[@andrewtheberkshireengine4385]

I didn't know there is a NYC Hudson using a water scoop tender kinda interesting

[@kristoffermangila]

The NYC's track pans were installed on just one line - the famous Water Level Route.