An AB6 had an E6B carbody modified with a single 1000 h.p. engine, windows and controls at one end, baggage compartment, and steam generator. Only two were built by EMD in June 1940 for the Rock Island (#s 750 and 751) for the Rocky Mountain Rocket (Google it). The train would run from Chicago to Limon, CO with an EA-unit on the front and an AB6 second. The train was split at Limon with the AB6 taking a few cars to Colorado Springs and the other unit taking the rest of the cars to Denver. The reverse happened on the trip to Chicago. See: http://www.railroademporium.com/images/stories/ri/rocky-mountain-rocket-lg.jpg. Of course over the years there were variations on this theme. A second diesel was added in the baggage compartment making each a full E-unit. The six pictures I am posting are about how the EA6s lived out there lives in commuter service in Northeastern, Illinois. What is all that piping on the roof? Enjoy! |