Diesel of the Day 7/20: EMD BL2
13Today is another unusual diesel, and another pioneer: the EMD BL2. The ‘BL’ stands for ‘branchline’, which means it was designed for light to medium road use with smaller trains and shorter distances. This diesel was basically the prototype for the standard EMD roadswitcher: it increased rearward visibility over the F7A, and the body style is vaguely reminiscent of later EMD standard cab diesels. Though considered ugly by many railfans, I happen to think the BL2 has character. It’s powered by an EMD 16-567B 16-cylinder Roots blower supercharged two-stroke engine, making 1,500 horsepower. 59 were made between 1947 and 1949. Several survive in museums today, a few operational. Today’s picture is an EMD builder’s photo of the original BL1 prototype, number 499.
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I’m enjoying these informational train lessons!
I am as well!
@lusluckylad I’m so glad you guys like them
What does “Electro-Motive” signify? I would guess that the engine is diesel-electric, but from your description is sounds like diesel mechanical…
@Limewater Electro-Motive was meant to signify that, during a time when most locomotives were mechanical drive, their designs were electric transmission. The name stuck, because railroads and the public associated it with quality, durability, and reliability.
@PooltoyWolf So then, is the 1500HP based upon the diesel engine itself, or the electric engine it was driving?
Or am I missing something else entirely?
@Limewater The 567 diesel engine generates 1,500 horsepower. That engine turns a big generator, which sends electricity to the traction motors in the trucks, which turn the wheels. Actual pulling power is measured in tractive effort, which in the case of the BL2 is probably somewhere around 50,000 lb/ft.
I like it. It reminds me of classic car
@stardate820926 You’d probably like the GMDH-1 and LWT12
@PooltoyWolf omg! I kind of love the LWT12.
/image lwt12
@stardate820926 It pulled a novel passenger set called the Aerotrain. The coaches were based on bus bodies!
I’m a self proclaimed foamer (have a whole bunch of N and HO scale to prove it). Not a rivet counter tho, there’s a difference. I love these diesel posts! Few people know that EMD was owned by GM at one time. They made some of the baddest diesels on the market.
@BigTaco Indeed they did! It’s a shame what happened to the company after GM sold it off. I’m definitely one of those terrible ‘rivet counters’ you describe, but it’s a lot of fun for me, and that’s what matters