The Milwaukee Road, whose formal name was the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, connected Chicago and Milwaukee with the northwester tier states extending to Seattle, Washington. The line had electrified sections over the Rockies and the Cascades in 1914 using 3,000 volt DC overhead power to offset the difficulties of operating steam locomotives in areas where winter temperatures could reach forty below zero. Here we see two of the locomotives used through the mountains, the box cab and the famous GE bi-polar.
Five General Electric EP-2 bi-polar locomotives were built for the railroad in 1919. Among the most powerful electric locomotives ever made, their pulling power was created by the electric motor armatures being the wheel axles as well creating a completely gearless, silent locomotive.
This postcard was issued by General Electric to commemorate the introduction of the EP-2 electric.
Power to the electric catenary was 3000 volts DC supplied through sub-stations such as this one.
The Milwaukee Road's deluxe passenger train was 'The Olympian', providing fine dining and accommodations as well as some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world.
A slower running train that was no less than first-class itself was 'The Columbian' seen here passing over the summit of the Rockies..
For more information on The Milwaukee Road, click here:
For more information on 'The Olympain,' click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympian_HiawathaFor more information on the GE bi-polar locomotive, click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milwaukee_Road_class_EP-2
