Conrail EL-C

History

The GE E33 was originally built for the Virginian Railway in 1955 as the Virginian EL-C. After the Virginia Railway merged with the Norfolk & Western, the locomotives were reclassified as EF-4s. The New Haven Railroad then purchased several of them.

Technology

The GE E33 was the first successful production locomotive to use Ignitron (mercury arc) rectifier technology.

Production

Due to the limited number of electrified railroads and the development of improved electric locomotive technology, no more EL-Cs were built.

Model trains

Lionel produced model trains of the GE E33, including the O gauge No. 153.

Features

A model train version of the GE E33 may include features like:

ABS body

Metal body side grilles

Lighted cab interior

Illuminated number boards

Mechanically operating pantographs

Catenary/track power selector switch

Onboard DCC receiver

Virginian EL-C