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4/18/2024
 
 
 
 
 
Owner: Monon Route
Model:EMD BL2Built As:MON 30 (BL2)
Serial Number:4449Order No:E795
Frame Number:E795-1Built:4/1948
Notes:1947
Other locos with this serial:  MON 30(BL2)
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MON BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Title:  MON BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Description:  One of my favorite "odd duck" engines is this EMD BL2 unit built for the Monon in 1947 caught working a freight consist at College Avenue in Indianapolis. The BL in the model name stood for "Branch Line", indicating that EMD felt the locomotive was best suited for light traffic and frequent switching chores. The car body design makes it unique similar to the uniqueness of the Edsel in the car line. This was a transitional style fromt the E & F unit car body to the multi-directional GP style and should not be overlooked in the evolution of modern locomotive designs. The date in 1960 is approximate. Jay Williams photo credit on the back.
Photo Date:  6/1/1960  Upload Date: 2/1/2018 4:31:28 AM
Location:  Indianapolis, IN
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MON 30(BL2)
Views:  680   Comments: 0
MON BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Title:  MON BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Description:  BL2 #30 appears to be waiting for a clear signal on this day before moving its string of freight. According to photographer(?) Jay William, the location is listed on the back as Hammond with a question mark. This may be near downtown Hammond where Erie and Monon had adjacent tracks. The business "Gotto Mathias Co" in the background closed in 1970 but not sure the lcoation. Eric Reinert (see comment below) helped out by correctly identifying the location as Michigan City. Thanks Eric!
Photo Date:  6/1/1965  Upload Date: 2/1/2018 4:31:34 AM
Location:  Michigan City, IN
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MON 30(BL2)
Views:  556   Comments: 2
MON EMD BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Title:  MON EMD BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Description:  Here is one of my favorite rr models, a BL2 but a model most enthusiasts call the "Edsel of railroading". Built by EMD in April of 1948, it was advertised as a branch line switcher (hence the "BL" in its model) with a unit carbody. The body proved to be more difficult to service than other styles. According to Hilton's "Monon Route" book, this unit along with sisters #35 & 37 were sold to the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in 1969. However, no record appears in the PRSL roster of their working the line. May have been an immediate trade-in. No photographer or accurate date was listed for the photo.
Photo Date:  3/1/1969  Upload Date: 1/23/2021 5:41:17 AM
Location:  Lafayette, IN
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  MON 30(BL2)
Views:  138   Comments: 0
MON EMD BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Title:  MON EMD BL2 #30 - Monon RR
Description:  Here is another view of the Monon BL2 #30 sitting in what appears a storage/scrap line at Lafayette. According to the Hilton book, "Monon Route", these were sold to Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in 1969 but no record appears on the PRSL roster of their working the line. No photographer listed for the photo but the stamped margin date may be fairly accurate.
Photo Date:  3/1/1969  Upload Date: 1/23/2021 5:41:25 AM
Location:  Lafayette, IN
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  MON 30(BL2)
Views:  143   Comments: 0


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