1942 GE "45 Ton" Switching Locomotive: I recently stumbled across this 1942 GE model B-B-90/90-2GE733-300 switching locomotive about 40 miles NE of Omaha. It is commonly known as a "45...

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

I recently stumbled across this 1942 GE model B-B-90/90-2GE733-300 switching locomotive about 40 miles NE of Omaha. It is commonly known as a "45 Ton" locomotive, produced in April, 1942. I didn't have a camera with me so used my cell phone for these. It is powered by two 150 horse diesels, hence the "300". The most interesting thing to me is that only the two inside wheels are motor driven, and the two outer wheels are driven by connecting rods from the inner wheels. I'm not sure it would be considered rare, but I can't imagine there are too many of these just sitting around.

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James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

Wow, that's pretty cool and you've documented it nicely for us with your facts and great photos. I love old machines and enjoyed this post very much. On a somewhat related story, I found an old "pusher" engine near Cowen Tennessee. These were used to help push the trains over the mountains near that area. It looks somewhat similar to this.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Maybe that's the engine that inspired Warren Zevon to write, "Night Time in the Switching Yard."

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks for commenting James, I appreciate it. Did you post pics of the pusher engine?
JackM

James56 wrote:

Wow, that's pretty cool and you've documented it nicely for us with your facts and great photos. I love old machines and enjoyed this post very much. On a somewhat related story, I found an old "pusher" engine near Cowen Tennessee. These were used to help push the trains over the mountains near that area. It looks somewhat similar to this.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Nice catch!
Thanks for the details shots.
They are hard to get with everything covered up.
Pat

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Nice. I bet it kept busy during the war years.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks Dan. I'm not familiar with the Warren Zevon piece, will definitely check that out.
JackM

DWU2 wrote:

Maybe that's the engine that inspired Warren Zevon to write, "Night Time in the Switching Yard."

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks for commenting Jay.
JackM

Jay Pat wrote:

Nice catch!
Thanks for the details shots.
They are hard to get with everything covered up.
Pat

JBruce Loc: Northern MN

Neat shots. Looks like the old girl hasn't been run for awhile, the date on the oil filter appears; to read 9-24-91. I'd bet that's a bit beyond FRA rules. John

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

JBruce wrote:

Neat shots. Looks like the old girl hasn't been run for awhile, the date on the oil filter appears; to read 9-24-91. I'd bet that's a bit beyond FRA rules. John

Thanks John. I'm sure you're correct. I haven't yet found anything about it's history yet other than it was obviously used by Cargil toward it's end. I do know that the U.P. has, in the past, stored some of their restoreable rolling stock in this little town, but I have no idea if they are the current owners.
JackM

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

jackm1943 wrote:

I recently stumbled across this 1942 GE model B-B-... (show quote)

Way cool. Thank you Jack.
Cell phone shots look good. Well done.
Marion

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

jackm1943 wrote:

I recently stumbled across this 1942 GE model B-B-... (show quote)

Good set Jack. Amazing what one can do with cell phones nowadays!

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

jackm1943 wrote:

Thanks for commenting James, I appreciate it. Did you post pics of the pusher engine?
JackM

Here's a link should you care to look Jack. A strikingly similar engine. Sorry for the delay...having internet issues lately.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/james-frazier/8126314734/in/album-72157631858190284/

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks bcheary. These were done on my iPhone using the ProCamera app. I think it's the best cell phone photo app, especially for HDR images.
JackM

bcheary wrote:

Good set Jack. Amazing what one can do with cell phones nowadays!

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Thanks James. I'm pretty sure that is also a GE "45 Ton" engine, just a few years newer. I saw pics like this during my internet research on these things. It would be interesting to know if all four drivers were powered or if the two outside drivers were connected somehow to the two inner drivers.
JackM

James56 wrote:

Here's a link should you care to look Jack. A strikingly similar engine. Sorry for the delay...having internet issues lately.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/james-frazier/8126314734/in/album-72157631858190284/