In 1952 the Pennsylvania Railroad took delivery of eight experimental locomotives, four from General Electric and four from Westinghouse. While GE's were all of the same class (E2b), the Westinghouse locomotives were split into two classes. Two locomotives had three two-axle trucks (E3b).[2]
The significant technical difference between the locomotives was that those from General Electric used traditional AC traction motors. Those by Westinghouse had mercury arc rectifiers to convert the AC traction power to DC. In consequence they were able to use ordinary DC traction motors, identical to those on contemporary diesel-electric locomotives.[3]
The locomotives were scrapped in 1964. However, the rectifier principle they pioneered soon became the standard for new AC electric locomotives,
^Carleton, Paul. Under Pennsy Wires. D. Carleton Railbooks, 1982, p. 153
^ abStaufer, Alvin F.; Pennypacker, Bert (1962). Pennsy Power: Steam and Electric Locomotives of the Pennsylvania Railroad, 1900-1957. Research by Martin Flattley. Carollton, Ohio: Alvin F. Staufer. pp. 300–301. ISBN978-0-9445-1304-0.
^Bezilla, Michael (Autumn 1977). "The Pennsylvania's Pioneer Rectifiers". Railroad History. 137 (137). Railway and Locomotive Historical Society: 64–79. JSTOR43520656.
