Does anyone know the phase of Milw U25B units? I keep thinking that there was an article in an older Railroad Model Craftsman that listed this info. Does this sound familiar? Boxcab E50
Hi Boxcab: I believe they are phase II. They have the slanted nose of the later U-25B's as far as I can tell.
That's what I was thinking. But looking at the version Atlas did a few years ago, (I have a couple of 2B), aside from the wrong windshield, the nose doesn't look right. More like a U28B. Boxcab E50
here is a picture of a MILW U25B I found. It's got a slanted nose and two piece winshield like we thought.
Yup. That's what I remember so well. I know the shop forces mostly didn't care to see them. Even when they were in better condition. But I miss their sounds. And the sight of them! Boxcab E50
I was reading The Milwaukee Electrics this last weekend, and there is a section on diesels. It stated the Coast Division mechanics and everyone else for that matter hated them. They said they never ran right and were not made to be worked on. I'd still like to hear what one sounded like though!
Yes. They were well disliked. They saw heavy use back east, then were sent west. Shall we say, very well broken in.... I know a Milw mechanic. And he becomes rather grumpy just at the mention of these units. I can understand why. They were mostly pulled back east in poor shape. Then after the winter of 1977-1978, they were sent back out west again. Dead, crippled. What a mess. Shop forces in Tacoma spent the next three years cobbling them together every few minutes. I remember one that went past where I was working. Oil pouring out, running across the decking, and onto the ground. What a mess it looked like! And I'll bet by the time it made Tacoma, the power plant was only useable as a door stop. I can recall in mind how these sounded. But darned if I can describe it decently. Maybe some day the one at Portola will run again. Or the one at IRM. Boxcab E50
Here is my only shot of a U25B. Any help with dates, location, and who that might be. BoxcabE50, I'm sure it is not Larry!!
Dan- That's got to be Maple Valley. Tracks l-r main, siding (w/engines), house track. Note trolley above engines, and then another set the far side. Siding rusted. It wasn't used much. Meets were generally places such as Cedar Falls, Trude, Renton.... Date? 1975 or earlier. That's as close as I can get. Why 1975? Trolley was being dismantled on the Coast starting 1974. Depending on where they were working, on into 1975. Wires were kept hot at night, and on weekends to stop thieves. I have some dismantling crew data stashed somewhere. Boxcab E50
