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Florida East Coast
Diesels
Passenger Units
In 1939 Florida East Coast went joint with the Atlantic Coast Line in creating the new reserved seat all coach streamline East Coast Champion between New York and Miami. ACL purchased 2 sets of the seven-car train and FEC ordered 2. While it took 3 sets to complete the daily service, FEC used its second set as Jacksonville-Miami Henry M. Flagler. In the early years the Locomotives ran with the complete sets from Washington to Miami. As more diesels were purchased the FEC units could be found as far as Washington along with ACL units in Miami on the FEC rails. As more units arrived in the late 40’s ACL units came off in Jacksonville and FEC took control on their home rails.
EMC delivered FEC’s first diesel locomotives, 2 E3A’s in 1939. Number 1001 was placed on the Henry M. Flagler, and the 1002 in East Coast Champion Service.
In 1940 FEC took order for its first E6A built by EMD. Number 1003, and 2 more in 1942 numbered 1004 & 1005 arrived along with E6B number 1051.
In 1945 FEC received the E7A. These units were numbered-1006 thru 1022 along with E7B units 1052-1054.
In 1955 FEC received the Queen of the fleet. E9A’s numbered 1031 thru 1035.
The strike of 1963 placed all passenger units out of service until the re-instatement of the local Jax-Miami three and later two car consist using a single E9 from August 1965 until the last run on July 31st 1968.
The first unit to be retired was E3A #1001 in 1960 at Miller Shop for parts. The 1003 & 1004 were dismantled for parts in 1962. All remaining units sold between 1966 and 1968. The five E9A’s and E7A 1011 were in service when retired in 1968. FEC did try using E units in freight service but found to be “slippery” and overheating due to high gear ratio.Our examples of the E3/E6 are out of the box Proto 2000.
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