While the Baltimore & Ohio’s Class EM-1 2-8-8-4s were not the most powerful of the large designs built during steam's twilight in the 1930s and 1940s they were nevertheless exceptionally built machines that in time became well-liked by train crews. Not only were the EM-1s capable of holding their own on steep grades with a coal drag in tow but also it was arguably one of the most aesthetically beautiful large steamers ever built. Ironically, had the B&O been able the railroad would never have purchased the design, instead opting for the new and efficient diesel locomotive. However, needing more power and wartime restrictions preventing purchase of new diesels, the B&O was forced to buy steam and settled on the EM-1 class.
Like most late-era designs, the 2-8-8-4's saw less than 20 years of service before their retirement. Sadly, none were ever preserved. However, even more unfortunate is that one was slated for posterity and featured at the B&O's own museum in Baltimore. The railroad was well-known, even in that era, for retaining noteworthy locomotives and equipment (it would likely have saved even more if financial issues had not been a frequent issue). For reasons unknown, a mix-up caused this lone EM-1 to fall to the scrapper's torch.
The B&O's EM-1 class was known as the Yellowstone design, which were first put into service on the Northern Pacific in 1928. The NP wanted a powerful articulated (meaning that either one, or both sets of the locomotive's driving wheels pivots to better and more safely negotiate curves) that could not only move heavy freights through the Northern Plains of the Dakotas but also at relatively quickly. Ultimately, however, only two other lines aside from the B&O (which as the last to buy the 2-8-8-4) purchased Yellowstones; the Missabe Road (DM&IR) acquired 18 (Class M-3/M-4) in 1941 to pull heavy ore trains and Southern Pacific picked up 12 in 1939 (Class AC-9).
The EM-1 was developed during the very end of the steam era and accordingly would carry the latest technology available. Thirty of these locomotives would be built, all coming from the Baldwin Locomotive Works, and were delivered to the B&O towards the end of World War II between 1944 and 1945. The eastern trunk line was one of the first to embrace diesel technology purchasing a boxcab switcher from Alco and Ingersoll-Rand in 1924 and then testing Electro-Motive's streamlined EA in 1935. The railroad desperately wished to continue purchasing diesels (then EMC's FT model) to keep up with wartime traffic. However, with restrictions in place the B&O was forced to settle buying more steam, settling on the Yellowstone design.
The EM-1s had a rather low boiler pressure comparative to other models in its class but this low pressure had a great benefit, a high factor of adhesion (4.22). This high ratio allowed the locomotive to start rather efficiently in that it was not as susceptible to wheel slippage as other designs. For instance, this added incentive was an extra benefit in the type of service the B&O originally designated the EM-1, the torturous grades of the railroad’s West End (its Cumberland and Pittsburgh Divisions), through the Appalachians. The locomotive did a marvelous job, having little trouble hauling merchandise or coal drags over the steep climbs of Cranberry Grade, along the West Virginia/Maryland border, or over Sand Patch in Pennsylvania.
In time, the railroad actually became rather fond of its 2-8-8-4s. The EM-1 was a true sight to behold if one was lucky enough to witness it trackside at work. A classic example is the locomotive working upgrade over Sand Patch. The engine exemplified what made the steam locomotive such an admired and respected machine, even outside the railroad and railfan community. The pure power and deafening sound by a locomotive of the EM-1’s size is perhaps something words, pictures and maybe even videos can never truly replicate without the fortune of being there in person to witness such for yourself. While the size of the EM-1 is enough in itself to instill awe, seeing it in person illustrates the point that much more. The below specifications of the locomotive are courtesy of John Patton.
Builder: Baldwin Locomotive Works
Series: 7600-7619
Cylinders: Diameter x Stroke (4) - 24" x 32"
Driver diameter: 64 Inches
Boiler pressure: 235 PSI
Grate Area: 117.5 Square-Feet
Weight on drivers: 485,000 Pounds
Total engine weight: 628,700 Pounds
According to John Patton, "the EM-1s were said to be easy steamers to operate and crews liked them. With minor stay bolt trouble they were perfect for the B&O in every way possible. As said upon delivery by head of machinery, they had everything, all wheels had roller bearings and were top of the line for steam on the B&O...these B&O articulateds were 1,010,700 pounds, laden; carried 22,000 gallons of water and 25 tons of coal."
The EM-1 would be short-lived, however. By the late 1950s the
locomotives had been renumbered to make room for new diesels that the
B&O could finally purchase after the war had ended, and the EM-1 was
shifted from the mountain regions to the Ohio River and the railroad’s
Pittsburgh Division. This time period also spelled the end for steam
itself throughout the nation’s railroads. After less than twenty years
of service (in steam locomotive years this is very young) the final EM-1
was dropped from the roster around 1960. However, according to Mr.
Patton, "the last one off the roster was to be saved for the B&O
Museum in Baltimore, but it never happened due to lack of funding and the
museum not being open to try an reserve funding for such." Unfortunately for both railfan and historian alike, not one EM-1 is preserved for future generations to tour and see.
Header Photo: Drew Jacksich
A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way. Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. If you are researching active or abandoned corridors you might want to check out the United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Historical Topographic Map Explorer. It is an excellent resource with thousands of historic maps on file throughout the country. Just type in a town or city and click on the timeline of maps at the bottom of the page!
You will be hard pressed at finding a better online resource regarding diesel locomotives than Craig Rutherford's TheDieselShop.us. The website contains everything from historic (fallen flags) to contemporary (Class I's, regionals, short lines, and even some museums/tourist lines) rosters, locomotive production information, technical data, all notable models cataloged by the five major builders (American Locomotive, Electro-Motive, General Electric, Fairbanks-Morse, and Baldwin), and much more. A highly recommended database!
In 1998 a gentleman by the name of Andre Kristopans put together a web page highlighting virtually every unit every out-shopped by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division. Alas, in 2013 the site closed by thankfully Don Strack rescued the data and transferred it over to his UtahRails.net site (another fine resource). If you are researching anything EMD related please visit this page first. The information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers.