The Q had 3 "B-units" among the shovel-nosed EAs and three E5Bs, according to
Holck's Burlington Route Color Pictorial, Vol 1. All other E units were As.
The E5A/B sets were built in early 1940, and the remaining E5s, including two
E5A/A sets built in 1941, were all A units. The vast majority of Q cab unit
purchases included A units on each end, including FTs, F3s, and F7s, all of
which were bought in A/B/B/A or A/B/A sets. EMD had advertised that the sets
with A units on each end did not require turning for return trips, and the Q
bought that pitch. The F2s were purchased as A units only and were run with
FTA/B sets. As only two E units were needed to pull most Q passenger trains,
buying Es as A/A sets completed the capability of running motive power both
directions without turning. The fact that E5s 9914 and 9915 were numbered A
and B but were all A units reinforces this idea.
- John Manion
Denver, CO
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