Milwaukee Road class EP-1, EF-1, EF-2, EF-3, and EF-5

The classes EP-1 and EF -1 were 42 electric locomotives of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) in boxcab design, built by Alco in 1915. The electrical components originated from General Electric. The locomotives consisted of two "A" and "B" referred to half units that were resistant or not assembled into double locomotives. Later the vehicles were converted and joined together to form larger units, making the classes EF -2, EF -3 and EF -5 emerged. The design proved successful and was able to replace a large number of steam locomotives at a reduced cost and accelerated timetables.

Technology

The locomotives were equipped with a multiple-unit control and could thus be operated in multiple unit of a driver's cab. Later, they were equipped with a developed by a designer of the Milwaukee Road system that permitted the control of companies included in the train diesel-electric locomotives. However, since the newer, less exhausted at the time Little Joe had also been equipped with these multiple control which Boxcabs came only rarely in such services.

The top speed of an EF -1 was 35 miles per hour (56 km / h). Higher speeds resulted in strong overloads in the traction motors. As part of the modernization program in the 1950s, the top speed to 45 miles per hour, (72 km / h) raised to improve the compliance of the freight train schedules.

The Bo Bo bogies were interconnected via complex ball joints and the frame via a coupling rod. At the rotor axis of rotation journeymen a massive snow plow was attached.

Conversions

First 30 double locomotives for freight service were classified as EF -1 and performed under the numbers 10200-10229. The remaining twelve locomotives were provided with a transmission gearing for higher speeds and an oil-fired Zugheizkessel and listed as a passenger train class EP-1 under the numbers 10100-10111. With the use of newer passenger locomotives were rebuilt in 1919 in EF -1 and freight locomotives were numbered 10230-10241.

With increasing draw weight each three half units were combined to form triple locomotives and classified as EF-2 in the 1930s. It created a total of twelve new units that were listed under the operating numbers 10500-10511 ACB. Since the middle units, the cabs were no longer needed, some were removed together with the frame extensions. Through these tags, the class EF -3, which weighed 23.6 tons less than the class EF-2 was born. Later, other EF- 2 units created without the modification of EF- third With the renumbering in 1939, the EF -3 were redrawn in E25 to E36 and the EF -1 in E50 to E73.

1951 five - four units were created and classified as EF -5. Until 1961, the number of these units increased to ten. With the change to the EF- 2 is a single half locomotive was excessive. This machine was redesignated as a heavy shunting locomotive ES-3.

To support the getting on in years Bi - Polars in passenger service, 1950 two EF -1 locomotives were rebuilt again in passenger locomotives of the class EP -1A and numbered E22 A / B and E23 A / B. During the conversion process, they were steam generators, bases of the broken F7 Hudsons and transmission gear for high speeds. E22 was a streamlined front end. The color scheme remained unchanged at first, later, the locomotives were in the color scheme of the Union Pacific with a yellow background, repainted gray roofs and red stripes. After the conversion, this locomotive was able to develop 4500 hp. She remained until March 1961, the passenger traffic in the service and was re- assigned to the setting of the Olympian Hiawatha the freight. In this service, it was decommissioned in 1968 and dismantled in 1973.

Whereabouts

The fleet remained fully until 1951, when the two EF -1 double locomotives E51 A / B and E68 A / B were retired. Two units of the class EF -2 were retired in 1954, the rest remained until the mid -1960s in the service until the ripe old age paid tribute to its toll. Finally they were driven for wear and freely interchanged without renumbering. Most of the machines were put out of service in late 1973, but the E57 B and its associated former C- Mittellok remained until June 1974 received the shunting in Harlowton. The unit E 50 A / B, the first and 10200 A / B was put into service locomotive has been preserved in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth (Minnesota). The E57 B, originally 10211 B is situated in Harlowton.