EMD EA

EMC EA/EB

B&O EA 56 at Chicago, Illinois, February 1943

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Electro-Motive Corporation (EMC) Build date May 16th, 1937–1938 Total produced 6 A units, 6 B units

Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR A1A-A1A Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Prime mover Winton 201-A, 2 off Engine type (?) Cylinders (?)

Performance figures Power output 1,800 hp (1,300 kW)

Career Operators Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Alton_Railroad, Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Numbers 51–56 (A units), 51X–56X (B units) Disposition number 51 on static display at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum

The EMC EA/EB was an early passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive built in May 16, 1937 – 1938 by Electro-Motive Corporation of La Grange, Illinois for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. They were the first model in a long line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units. Each locomotive unit developed 1,800 horsepower (1,300 kW) from two 900 hp (670 kW) Winton 201-A diesel engines, driving the wheels through an electric transmission—the generator driven by each engine provided current for traction motors. The locomotives were of A1A-A1A wheel arrangement—two three-axle trucks of which only the outer two axles were powered. Six two-unit 3,600 hp (2,700 kW) locomotives were produced, each consisting of a lead cab-equipped EA A unit and a cabless booster EB B unit. They were numbered 51 through 56; the A units bore the bare number and the B units the number followed by 'X'.

The six locomotives hauled some of the major named trains of the B&O; the Royal Blue, the Capitol Limited, the National Limited, and others. These trains were streamliners in appearance, but they were built largely of refurbished heavyweight passenger cars rebuilt with smooth sides, smooth rooflines, air conditioning, new interiors and modern appointments.