| In 1946, the Soviet Union ordered twenty Little Joe Electric locomotives from the General Electric Company. The locomotives got their nickname “Little Joe” after Joseph Stallin. The specifications called for one cab on each end of the locomotive, and a 2+D+D+2 wheel arrangement for operation on the 5’ gauge track in the Soviet Union. In October 1948, the US Department of State banned strategic shipments to the Soviet Union, and the order was cancelled. This order, series number 29913-29932, sat at the General Electric plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, while the company looked for another possible sales outlet for these locomotives. Five of the Locomotives were purchased by the Paulista Railway of Brazil, and three were purchased by the South Shore Line. The other railroad to purchase the remaining locomotives was the Milwaukee Road. Twelve of these locomotives were shipped on flat cars and modified from the 5’ gauge to the standard 4’ 8-1/2” gauge. All twelve locomotives were sold on an “as is” basis, with all modifications performed by the Milwaukee Road. The 12 locomotives served for 24 years on the Milwaukee Road when the electricity was turned off. Eleven of the twelve locomotives were scrapped, with Little Joe E70 now on display in Deer Lodge, Montana. |
