The E series locomotive in the photo is the most traveled E series locomotive in US history–over 6 million miles (9.66 million kilometers.) To get a grasp of how far that is, it’s approximately:
- 240 times around the Earth’s equator;
- 12.5 times to Earth’s moon and back; or
- 21 times around the equator of the largest planet in the Solar System, Jupiter.
It’s fair to say, a very long distance!
Atlantic Coast Line (ACL) #501 — This locomotive was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in November 1939. Beginning in the late 1930s, EMD developed a passenger diesel locomotive known as the E series. This E3 was one of the first high production models. The ACL ordered two, numbered 500 and 501, for service on The Champion between New York City and Miami, Florida. Each locomotive produces 2,000 horsepower from two 567-A 12-cylinder prime movers. The ACL chose purple and silver to decorate these locomotives, partly due to the long-time use of purple on ACL timetables. The 501 remained in service until 1970, operating over 6 million miles. This distinction made the 501 the most traveled E unit in US history! The NC DOT Rail Division purchased the 501 in 1998, and placed the locomotive on long term loan to the museum.
This completes this series of railway history photographs. On to something new. 
My special thanks to the North Carolina Museum of Transportation.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Earl, Your recent series of posts on the history of train engines has been outstanding! Thanks for all the good work.
Oh, that was a beauty in a very cool colour!
The sleekness of this is amazing. It looks as though it could fly. I’m not certain how you got that satin finish, but it’s very pleasing.
Thank you everyone for the comments and for following through this series of photos.