EMC EA/EB

EMC EA/EB
B&O EA 51 on the Capitol Limited sitting next to the Tom Thumb locomotive replica, in 1937.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderElectro-Motive Corporation (EMC)
Serial number666 (51) 667 (51X) 668 (52) 669 (52X) 765-766 (53 & 54) 767 (55) 768-769 (53X & 54X) 770 (55X) 800 (56) 801 (56X)
Build dateMay 16th, 1937–June 1938
Total produced6 A units, 6 B units
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARA1A-A1A
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Length21.06 m (69.1 ft)
Axle load25.5 t
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverWinton 201-A, twinned
Engine type60 degree V
Cylinders12 x 2
TransmissionDiesel-electric
Loco brakeWestinghouse
Train brakesWestinghouse
Performance figures
Maximum speed68–99.4 mph (109.4–160.0 km/h)
Power output1,800 hp (1,300 kW)
Tractive effort251.3 kN (56,500 lbf)
Career
OperatorsBaltimore and Ohio Railroad, Alton Railroad, Gulf, Mobile and Ohio
Numbers51–56 (A units), 51X–56X (B units)
PreservedB&O #51
DispositionOne A unit preserved, remainder units scrapped

The EMC EA/EB is an early passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive built from May 16, 1937, to 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'.