F3B Units

[George Lortz]

Around 1964, the Monon renumbered their "B" units as follows:

#61C to #301
#62C to #302
#63C to #303
#64C to #304 (second #64C)
#65C to #305

I have one photo of #301, but none of #302, #303, #304, and #305.

Anyone know where photos of these units exist or are willing to post photos of them?

George L.

[David Longest]

George, Why are these so scarce?  I have none of the 300's.   I was just viewing a CD that i had put together, but nothing above #210.   David

[Steve Dolzall]

The Monon F-3 "B"-units were all renumbered into the 300 series in October, 1962 and the entire group was retired in August, 1965 so, there was a very short window for photographs.

[Ron Marquardt]

In addition to what Steve said, even when one of the "B" units in the 300 series did show up in a photo, because there were no big number boards, we usually couldn't read the numbers anyway.  We have several in the archives that are just unidentified "B" units.  / Ron

[George Lortz]

Ron,

Your point about finding the road number on the F3B units is certainly valid.  Attached you will find the only 300-series unit photo I have.  It's not good quality because I believe I photocopied this from a magazine.  It's #301 coupled with #208.

The #301 is just barely visible near the lower part of left-side grab irons.

Steve, since these units were only around less than three years, that also explains the lack of photos.  Actually, there are very few photos of ANY of the Monon F3B units.

George L.

[William Gordon]

The so called   B units were actually identified as  "C" in the 60 series F3 Locos.  A 3 unit F3 would b ie 65A-65C-65B.    The "C" units were purchased at the same time as A-Bs. Mainline Freights ie 70-71, 72-73, were always 3 ynit lashups befor changeing to 3 digit unit numbers.

[Ron Marquardt]

Is this post from my friend Bill Gordon of Alabama?  If it is, Bill and I worked together many years on the Monon and Bill was an excellent locomotive man.  Welcome aboard Bill, glad you joined us.  / Ron

[George Lortz]

William,

You are correct.  The Monon lettered all if its 60-series F3B units with #xxC road numbers.  I'm not aware of any exception to this.

George L.

[Heath Matthias]

Why did the Monon not used B units?  No need based on power needs?

[Ron Marquardt]

They used B units all the time Keith.  They just weren't on the head end of the trains where they were easily photographed.  I think we probably saw them more often on the south end that on the north end because the power lashups routinely had more units in the consist.  Somewhere I saw a great picture awhile back of a FM MU'd with a B unit.  That sure looked strange.  / Ron

[Ken Weller]

A few more pics of F3B units up & down the Monon . . .

[Heath Matthias]

Ahh, OK, I see.  Odd that they would be on the head end like that.

[Ron Marquardt]

I mentioned earlier the photo of an H44-15 MU'd with a B unit.  I finally found it.  It was sent to me by George Lortz, and as I said, it surely looks strange.  Only photo I've ever seen of this lashup, but when you're short of power, I guess a locomotive is a locomotive.  This consist, obviously, was not intended for short turnaround service.  LOL,  / Ron

[Mike Albert]

That looks like Forrest Hill crossing in Crossing in Chicago.  I wonder if that's a H-15-44 unit on a transfer run taking a B unit in for scrap or trade?  It's a unusual picture, never the less.

[Ron Marquardt]

Mike, I have the feeling they were both in service when this photo was taken.  The #45 was the first H44-15 to give up the ghost (right in front of the Bedford jail one morning coming north on a FLT with double tonnage), and at that time I think all the B units were still in service.  / Ron