EMD E3

The EMD E3 was a 2,000 h.p., A1A-A1A passenger train locomotive manufactured by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The cab version, or E3A, was manufactured from March, 1939 to June, 1940, and 16 were produced. The booster version, or E3B, was manufactured from March, 1939 to September, 1939, and 2 were produced. The 2,000 h.p. was achieved by putting two 1,000 h.p., 12 cylinder, model 567 engines in the engine compartment. Each engine drove its own generator to power the traction motors. The E3 was the fourth model in a long line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units.

Compared with other passenger locomotives made by EMD before and after these models, the noses of the E3, E4, and E6 cab units had pronounced slants when viewed from the side. Therefore, these three models have been nicknamed “slant nose” units. Some units made before these models were called “shovel nose” units because they looked like old coal shovels. Some units made during and after these models were called “bulldog nose” units, because they looked like a bulldog’s snout.

Only one E3 survives today. It was formerly owned by Glen Monhart, and operated on excursions in Wisconsin. Today, it is owned by the North Carolina Dept. of Transportation Rail Division, and is on long term loan to the North Carolina Transportation Museum, in Spencer, North Carolina. It is ex-Atlantic Coast Line Railroad E3A #501. It is stored in operating condition, and will be run occasionally.

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