Before Erie
In 1953, a partnership between Alco and General Electric was ended and GE began the development of their first independent diesel locomotives. The partnership had produced some memorable products like the Alco PA and FA as well as a number of the famous Alco road switchers. The builder's plate on one of the first 'independent' GE products shows the build location of Erie, PA. The U25B plate represents just one of thousands of locomotives manufactured within the Erie facility, destined for service at locations around the world. Before these plates read "Erie," however, they read "Schenectady." Such is the case with the last electric locomotive to operate on Milwaukee rails. This is boxcab electric, E57B. She rests in a small lot by US 12 on the way through Harlowton, MT. She isn't styled like the famous GG1s that ran for years in the Northeast and she lacks the streamlining of the Milwaukee's own Little Joes. By contrast, rivets a...