Old Stuff On The MARC, Part Three: The E-Units

For a couple of years in the early 1990s, MARC Rail was so desperate for cheap power that they added a few hand-me-down E units to their aging stable of Fs and RDCs. They're about the same age as most of the F units - built in the early 1950s - and they have a similar (but much larger) streamlined profile. The engine in these first two shots is Ex-Illinois Central E8 #4023, which led the last IL-Central "City of New Orleans" from its namesake city to Chicago in April, 1971. After some time in New Jersey, it was painted blue, renumbered as MARC #60 and had a brief run here in Maryland. Above, #60 leads a special Orioles train away from Camden Station in Baltimore in 1992.

MARC #60 (and F-unit #84) rolling into Rockville, MD in 1992.

Ex-Burlington Northern E9 #9911 awaits some minor repainting and a new number at Riverside Shops in Baltimore in 1993.

Ex-BN E9, now MARC #64, completely surrounded by CSX power at Riverside Shops - 1993.

MARC #68 blows by a whistle-stop at Dickerson, MD in 1993. I kept that plain grey little Chevy in frame because that is the first car I ever bought, and she chased many trains with me and took a lot of abuse in stride.

MARC #65 at Germantown, MD in 1994. In a move that showed just how short-term a solution these E-units were for MARC, only the "Burlington Northern" and the numbers and flags were changed. New engines had already been ordered.

MARC #60 (E8) and #84 (F7) lead an eastbound commuter train across the Monacacy River near Dickerson, MD in 1992. This shot provides a good look at the size difference between these two old GM Electro Motive Division relics.

THANKS FOR RIDING WITH ME.
In the interest of keeping you non-railfans from wandering off and getting into trouble, let's head back to the beach, next. Then, maybe some critters and cats and dogs and whatnot. If you're patiently waiting for lighthouses, they're coming. I swear. No, really. We'll get to them. Honest. We will! OK bye...