(erielack) Calender Photo: July 2004

[Timothy Costello <tgcostello_@_cox.net>]

EL listers:

Drag out your 2004 EL calender and check out the Ray Threlfall image for 
July.  **

3609 is the first of three SD45s operating "elephant style".  The photo had 
strong lighting from the left side, emphasizing the lines of the 
locomotives, their similarities, and differences.  Neither of the two 
trailing units can be identified by their numbers, which are not in the 
field of the photo.

Notice differences amongst the locomotives?

The second unit has an SP style L-shaped engineer side front window.  This 
feature was unique to 802 and 803, the ex demonstrator units sold to D&H 
and temporarily "traded" to the EL for a trio of U33Cs.

Notice anything else unusual about the photo, and the second unit in 
particular?

The horn on this SD doesn't have the same bell configuration as the other 
SD45s.  Reason being that the horn on the second unit was configured for a 
one of the EL's 6-axle GEs.  Its the same manifold, same bells, just in 
reverse configuration.

I have a picture in my archive of a GE bearing an "EMD" configuration 
Leslie horn.  As we might expect, they can be swapped out as need be to 
service one horn and keep a locomotive on the road.

A check of George Elwood's Fallen Flags site indicates that the 802 had 
this "GE configuration" horn for several years in the early 70's.  See this 
url for better look.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/loco/el802ajg.jpg

So, despite the fact that the road numbers of the trailing units are not 
visible in the photo, based on two unique spotting features, we can 
identify the second unit as EL 802.

A few more elements to observe.

When you check the John Garnecky photo at the url above, notice the 802 has 
two sets of MU electrical connections mounted to the front walkway, in 
comparison to the EL standard of on recepticle on the firemans side of the 
front deck as seen on the calender photo of 3609.

Notice that the lead and trailing locomotives have high mounted brake 
cylinders, while the 802 has the early low mounted cylinders, which are not 
visible in the photo.

One final note, observe the differences between the pilot of the 3609 and 
802, specifically the side edge of the pilot.  The former is identified by 
modelers as the "nubbin" pilot, as the face drops down and then extends 
outward by ~4" as it approaches the lowest step.  The pilot of the 802 
appears to drop straight down until it starts to cut inward at the bottom 
of the pilot.

** If you don't have a calender, you can order one from the ELHS, or go 
online to purchase on from the Erie Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation 
Society at www.eldiner.org   From the home page go to store/misc and you 
will see the calender listed.

Best regards,
Tim Costello

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