TomNelligan wrote:Sarge wrote: So they would have been called "B" units, but not on the FL9. I'm positive I remember seeing them, but it must have been NH or PC days, then, and probably a long distance train.
No one has yet mentioned the passenger B-units (E7Bs) that the New York Central and then Penn Central ran with E7s and E8s on mail and express trains on the Hudson Division and then down the West Side freight line. PC had a fair number of F7Bs in service into the early 1970s (although I believe only F7As lasted to Conrail). PC's F-units were concentrated in the Midwest, but did come east as late as the early 1970s. And a couple of the New Haven's Alco FBs were still active in freight service into the early PC period, through 1969 at least, although they usually ran out of Boston. The NH never had any passenger B-units.
Noel Weaver wrote:I am not sure just what we are getting at here regarding engines into Grand Central Terminal. Over a long period of years a
lot of different diesels have made an appearance in the terminal. This includes E-7 and E-8 A units but I do not ever recall
seeing a B unit in the terminal.
Noel Weaver
Ran across something in the Winter 2008 Issue of Classic Trains: Page 80. There is a picture of an E8 with an F3B; both appear to have portholes, as per my recollection. Of course, it's Kansas City Southern and the date is 1962. Still, there were F3B's, but per Otto, the F-10's nee F-3's did not arrive until the 90's?
However, I think Tom's point that the NH never had any passenger B units must be correct, and I must have seen an FB on freight service, since it was the PC period, which is when I now remember them. I guess it could have been an E7B or F7B, but according to Tom, not likely.
Once again, thanks to all.
(edited for clarity)
