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Having seen quite early the promising future of the diesel—electric locomotive, Alco decided to get free of the Alco—GE-IR triumvirate and get on its own except for electrical equipment.  Consequently they bought McIntosh & Seymour in 1929, designed their own 600—hp switcher using a M&S engine, and delivered the first unit in July 1931. This was the "high hood" model and the New Haven's first diesel, old 0900, was among the first of these to be bought. Baldwin lagged far behind, being "aloyal to bunny" until it was almost too late to get in--but they did get in, only to have a most lackluster career in the diesel business. Lima, of course, never did get in and had an early demise as a locomotive builder as a result. I mention these things because the Alco move drove us even closer to Ingersoll—Rand although we continued to do business with Alco as an electrical supplier and Rudy Krape took over this account. I believe that Alco bought a few Westinghouse equipments also but W bought themselves an engine, the British Beardmore, and made motions toward getting into the business in a big way and hence weren't overly popular with Alco. Unfortunately, however, the business was deteriorating rapidly for everybody as the railroads retrenched in the face of the depression which, in 1931, was coming on toward depths no one had dreamed could develop. We did a little business through I—R however. We built one 800—hp switcher for the Erie, picture included, which went to work in Akron where I once rode it in service switching the rubber plants in particular. This was delivered in April and in the fall we shipped seven 300-hp units to the Bush Terminal Company in Brooklyn, picture also included. But as far as I can determine, this represented the total output of GE—IR locomotives in 1931. But this was opulent compared to what was coming. 

[[image - black and white photograph of a train engine with "Erie 25" on the side]]

[[caption]] "THE HUMP in Erie 25's roof alongside the ten intake air filters covered the upper portion of the 800 h.p. engine of type B8-1.  Note the rear louvers and the extra-large radiator cores.]]

Transcription Notes:
Changed Alec to Alco; changed pic to picture.