I know the B&M ordered a mere five electrics - three freight and two passenger - when the operation began in 1911. I don't believe any more electrics were built for the B&M. However, they did buy or lease two NH electrics at one point - during WWII? My main question: Which New Haven electrics?
I hadn't seen that thread, but I had found http://www.ieee.org/organizations/pes/public/2006/jul/peshistory.html I knew the NH controlled the B&M at that time, and that they were responsible for the Hoosac Tunnel electrification. That doesn't answer my initial question, which refers to the B&M running individual electrics that had also run on the NH. I can't remember where I first read a reference to this.
I believe the six motors were delivered directly to the B&M engine terminal at North Adams, MA. That's not to say the New Haven did not also buy motors of similar design. Although the NH application involved over the road running of about 150 miles at ~70 mph track speed with virtually no grades. Whereas the B&M application was up a 1-1.5% grade for about 2 miles from North Adams to the Tunnel. Then 4.5 miles through the Tunnel, 2.25 miles up ~0.5% grade, then 2.25 miles down ~0.5% grade to East Portal. This duty was at around 20 mph, far less than road speed.
The IEEE article said five, but I have seen videos and books devoted to the B&M that all say six were delivered by Baldwin/Westinghouse. Furthermore, the IEEE article said three were geared for freight and two were geared for passenger, but I've seen video and photos showing three motors on passenger trains. Mu'ing two passenger-geared motors with a freight-geared motor probably would have created control problems, especially considering the designs available from 1900 motor control technology. Without researching Baldwin, Westinghouse, and/or B&M archives, if any still exist, I tend to believe that all motors would have been the same design. This would have simplified maintenance and engineer certification issues, in addition to MU control considerations. Please understand that is just my personal opinion with nothing but circumstantial evidence to back it up. :embarassed:
