Pennsylvania Railroad class E3c

Pennsylvania Railroad E3c
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Westinghouse and Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton
Serial number BLH 75484, 75485
Build date February 1952
Total produced 2
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • AAR C-C
 • UIC Co'Co'
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electric system/s 11 kV, 25 Hz AC
Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Traction motors Westinghouse 370 (6 off)
Transmission AC current fed via a transformer tap changer through 12 Ignitron (Mercury arc) rectifier tubes to DC traction motors
Performance figures
Power output 3,000 hp (2,200 kW)
Career
Operators Pennsylvania Railroad
Class E3c
Numbers 4997, 4998

Pennsylvania Railroad class E3c comprised a pair of experimental C-C (AAR) or Co-Co (UIC) electric locomotives. The bodywork and running gear was produced by Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton while the electrical equipment was provided by Westinghouse,[1] who also acted as principal contractor.

In 1952 the Pennsylvania Railroad took delivery of eight experimental locomotives, four from General Electric and four from Westinghouse. While GE's were all of the same class (E2b), the Westinghouse locomotives were split into two classes. Two locomotives had three two-axle trucks (E3b).[1]

The significant technical difference between the locomotives was that those from General Electric used traditional AC traction motors. Those by Westinghouse had mercury arc rectifiers to convert the AC traction power to DC. In consequence they were able to use ordinary DC traction motors, identical to those on contemporary diesel-electric locomotives.[2]

The locomotives were scrapped in 1964. However, the rectifier principle they pioneered soon became the standard for new AC electric locomotives,

References

  • Middleton, William D. (2002). The Pennsylvania Railroad - Under Wire (1st ed.). Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-617-7. OCLC 51208625.
  • Volkmer, William D. (1991). Pennsy Electric Years. Edison, NJ: Morning Sun Books, Inc. pp. 31, 126. ISBN 1-878887-01-7. LCCN 90063156.
Specific
  1. 1 2 Staufer, Alvin F.; Pennypacker, Bert (1962). Pennsy Power: Steam and Electric Locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1900-1957. Research by Martin Flattley. Carollton, OH: Alvin F. Staufer. pp. 300–301. ISBN 978-0-9445-1304-0. LCCN 62020878. OCLC 602543182.
  2. ↑ Bezilla, Michael (Autumn 1977). "The Pennsylvania's Pioneer Rectifiers". Railroad History. Railway and Locomotive Historical Society. 137: 64–79. JSTOR 43520656.
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