Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Work has begun to rewire Milwaukee Road 33C, our 1956 EMD E9A passenger locomotive. Existing wiring has been deteriorating and the insulation is extremely brittle in many places. It would be better to replace it now and have a reliable system in place rather than constantly having to repair areas of it. Below are some photo of the progress along the way.

This example of the wiring in the raceway that runs the length of the engine room show how brittle the insulation can get. This is to the engine room lights after the other wire was removed.

Photo: An example of the wire insulation.

Here all the wire has been removed from the engine room and pulled back to the steam generator room. The covers will be taken off the raceway in this room and that wire removed as well.

Photo: Wire removed from the raceway from the engine room to the no. 2 cabinet.

Both start stations will be rewired as well. This photo of the number 2 start station shows the extension that was added to the box for the switches added for the constant speed Head-End-Power. We will reuse the space for the interlock relays and switches for the prelube pump that will be added.

Photo: The no. 2 start station.

Here's a view sighting down the length of the raceway towards the number 1 cabinet and front of the locomotive. The lower section of trough was used for the heavy gauge wire for Dynamic Brake cabling and battery cable. The shelf in the trough was for the smaller low voltage and control cabling. The DB cabling was all removed during the HEP days. We will be reinstalling the DB hatch and cabling, and all the gear required to make DB function again.

Photo: The raceway to the no. 1 cabinet with wire removed.

There is space in both the number 1 and number 2 cabinets for the Dynamic Brake transfer switches. We acquired those transfer switches years ago from some whole electrical cabinets we bought from scrapped SD's out in Oregon. The bracket is still in place on the number 1 cabinet. The number 2 cabinet will need a little extra work since some equipment and brackets were moved and removed to make room for the drive shaft through the number 3 cabinet to the HEP alternator.

Photo: No. 1 cabinet with space for the DB transfer switch.

In the rear generator room, Jim is seen cutting the heads off the screws that hold some covers in place. This is part of getting access to the wiring to the rear terminal board and MU receptacle.

Photo: Jim cutting screw heads off to open a panel.

There is always extra work as seen here from years of critters making nests wherever they can get access into.

Photo: A lot of cleaning is needed.

Here's another round of wire to recycle in a fairly large crate.

Photo: A crate full of vintage E unit wiring.

Stay tuned for more updates on the rewire and restoration of 33C. If you would like to contribute to this restoration, you can do so here at Diesel Department Locomotive Restoration Fund.