Nostalgia & History > EMD 75th Anniversary Open House: September 21, 1997

One report I read of the open house at the La Grange, IL plant said that over 50,000 people attended. I didn't see anywhere near that many, but then I was only there a couple of hours and did not go on the inside plant tour. Still, there were lots of folks exploring the locomotives and other equipment on display.

The new 6000 HP SD90MAC was the star of the show.

B&OBill

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I don't think I've ever seen so many people in so many places on a locomotive.

B&OB

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People who wanted pristine "equipment only" shots were bound to be disappointed. However, I did get two quick shots of the Nebraska Zephyr.

B&OB

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I was there! Thanks for posting those cool photos!!

Yes, thanks for posting. I think I see my father in one of the scenes.

Thanks for posting. I had a great time, and retired from EMD the following year, October, 1998.

My father and I made the trip out from California to attend. He technically worked for EMD at the time (GM had the defense business as part of EMD for awhile). Ironically, I now live only a couple of miles from the plant site. Thanks for posting.

-Eric

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what RR owned the BL2?? Paint looks like GN

Bangor and Aroostook

A great set of most interesting photos.
Thanks for posting.
ALLEN

kpcmcpkva Wrote:
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> what RR owned the BL2?? Paint looks like GN

It was used on Wisconsin & Calumet but lettered for Janesville & Southeastern. It may have been owned by Glenn Monhart...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/17 22:17 by ghemr.

ghemr Wrote:
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> kpcmcpkva Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
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> > what RR owned the BL2?? Paint looks like GN
>
> It was used on Wisconsin & Calumet but lettered
> for Janesville & Southeastern. It may have been
> owned by Glenn Monhart...

Correct. Glenn purchase two BL2 units from the Bangor & Aroostock, the 52 was the best so he "finished" that one first. Glenn also owned the ACL #501 at the 75th open house.

The best part is, not a safety vest to be seen!

RayH Wrote:
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> The best part is, not a safety vest to be seen!

Never needed within the EMD McCook complex. Safety shoes and above all else safety glasses! Not even hard hats were worn in the various manufacturing areas, which always elicited comments from visiting railroad personnel. More than once I had to explain to visitors that "Considering the size and weight of any component moving overhead by crane, a simple hard had would offer absolutely NO PROTECTION.". Only the ground men for the two massive overhead cranes in the main erecting bay of the locomotive division, wore brightly colored hard hats, so that the crane operators could see them easily on the crowded shop floor.

RayH Wrote:
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> The best part is, not a safety vest to be seen!

Never mind the vests the fact that there appears to be NO steps to help folks into the cabs or off and on to the locomotives. I mean climbing the ladder into an E unit.........

I doubt that this could happen today!

bandob Wrote:
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> People who wanted pristine "equipment only" shots
> were bound to be disappointed.

I was also there and it was a great experience.

At the start of the day, EMD enforced a "clean" photo line for all the engines. We got there
just before it expired, and were able to get some "pristine equipment only" shots. We also took the tours and
went through the 9911A, where I managed to hit my head on the door. No damage to solid granite
however. LOL

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

I thought the EMD 103 was there for that?

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> I thought the EMD 103 was there for that?


Nope. The 103 had already been returned to the museum in St Louis by that time. The 50th anniversary of the FT demonstrator was in 1989 (fall 1939 to fall 1989). For this 75th anniversary of EMC/EMD (1922 to 1997), didn't have near as many locomotives on display as was done in 1989, for the FT 103 event.

I was there and really enjoyed the tour. Lots to see both inside and outside. EMD through a great party.

No picture of the brand new DE30AC on display other than its nose in the fifth picture. I and many others worked hard to make sure that loco was finished in time to be at the open house.

Dave