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The last of the 4 versions is the mid-to-late '50s E6 AB set. Turns out, I did not get to photograph an AB set, but an AA
set instead. As an extra added bonus, the two A Units were paired up with an E8m B Unit from the last run of late E Units
by Key, making an ABA set. This was not fictional. The Rebuilt E1's, which became E8m's, were often seen in the company of
E6's. This ABA set was supposed to be Dave Devita's display and personal set. However, as usually happens, one of his good
buddies cried on Dave's shoulder until he agreed to part with it. It does make a striking looking set. There are 8 photos
attached.
The E6 AB set numbered 15 was modeled as a mid-to-late '50s engine. This was before the radio
antennas, grabirons up over the nose, and twin sealed beam headlight; none of which did much for the look of the units in
my opinion. Here are the additions since the E6's were first built:
1. One of the most obvious changes is the headlight
being moved farther down on the nose to make room for a Mars light in the original headlight housing. This was still a standard
single beam headlight.
2. The pilot steps were removed, the sides of the pilot changed, and new strap type
steps installed on the new sides.
3. The coupler doors were removed and the buffer and coupler permanently
fixed in the extended position. (The couplers on the models are in the retracted positions to avoid damage during shipping.)
4. The
air hoses and cut levers were permanently mounted on the outside of the pilot.
5. The louvers over the roof top radiators were removed
and replaced by screenwire.
6. Baffles were added on either end of the radiator openings to create more turbulence
for better cooling.
7. The smaller of the two original air horns was replaced by a second Leslie Tyfon larger air
horn that faced to the rear. By the way, these Leslie Tyfon air horn castings are the best ever made. Mike Mangini has an
actual one. He photographed and measured it for this project so we could have really realistic air horns. The Koreans did
a good job reproducing it in 1:48 scale.
8. Three windows on each side of the body were replaced with steel vents.
9. New
intake vents were cut into the upper rear portion of the bodies as shown in the photos. (Think maybe they had some cooling
issues inside the engine compartment?)
10. Both windscreens and mirrors were added just ahead of the cab side windows.
11.
The small number board over the windshields was added.
12. The nose number boards were painted over and
no longer used.
13. The speed recorder cable was moved to the left side of the front truck.
Note that number 15 has two MU
doors on the nose, one on either side of the headlight housing (now Mars light housing). Number 12 only has the one on the
right side of the housing. For some reason, 15 got the two MU doors right from the get go, while none of the others did.
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