Baltimore and Ohio Two-unit 1903 Locomotive, with Geared Four-pole Motors, Weight of Two-unit Combination, 146 Tons.
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B&O CLASS LE-2 ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The B&O LE-2 were electric locomotives of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), which were mainly used in the Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland pulling freight trains .
History
In 1903, General Electric delivered two double locomotives to the B&O. The requirement was that one double locomotive should be able to haul a 1450-tonne train up the 15‰ gradient in the Howard Street Tunnel at 9 mph (14 km/h). In 1906, an additional single section was delivered, which was used to reinforce the two double locomotives, which were normally coupled together, when hauling heavy trains. Section No. 5 was retired in 1917, and the remaining locomotives in 1934.
Technology
The boxcab-design double locomotives consisted of two sections, each with four driving wheelsets. Two wheelsets had their axle bearings connected to each other by leaf springs, upon which the cast iron frame was supported. Power was provided by four-pole axle-hung motors. The two sections operated via a multiple-unit control system, which could also control three sections. Power was supplied via a side-mounted 625 V DC third rail.
Overview
| Number: | 5 sections |
| Manufacturer: | General Electric |
| Year(s) of construction: | Nos. 5–8: 1903 No. 9: 1906 |
| Disposal: | No. 5: 1917 Nos. 6–9: 1934 |
| Axis arrangement : | D + D |
| Track gauge : | 1435 mm ( standard gauge ) |
| Driving wheel diameter : | 42 in (1067 mm) |
| Service weight : | 160,000 lbs (72.6 t) |
| Hourly output : | 1600 hp (1200 kW) |
| Starting tractive effort : | 40,000 lbf (178 kN) |
| Power system : | 625 V = |
| Power transmission: | side power rail |
| Drive motors : | 8 × 200 hp |
| Translation ratio : | 1:4.26 |
| all technical specifications for a double locomotive |
