Locomotive Spotlight #2-2026 Baltimore & Ohio E8A #28*

 Greetings All,

Locomotive Spotlight #2-2026

Baltimore & Ohio RR E8A #28

Welcome to another entry in the long running locomotive Spotlight Series. Today the spotlight will shine on a B&O E8A #28.

A Thanksgiving, 2025 visit from our son the BINO man and his family had us in the train room going over his portion of the combined family fleet reigniting his interest for his model trains. For Christmas, 2025 I scored him a Proto 2000 B&O E8A #28. Lets take a look at the prototype and the model.

Prototype Information

The EMD E8 is a 2,250-horsepower, A1A-A1A passenger-train locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of La Grange, Illinois. A total of 449 cab versions, or E8As, were built from August 1949 to January 1954, 446 for the U.S. and 3 for Canada. 46 E8Bs were built from December 1949 to January 1954, all for the U.S. 

E8A Demo #952 leads a train out of East Bedford Station

The 2,250 hp came from two 12 cylinder model 567B engines, each driving a generator to power the two traction motors on one truck. The E8 was the ninth model in the line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units. Starting in September 1953, a total of 21 E8As were built which used either the 567BC or 567C engines.

"File:La Paz B&O Jul 1963 2-33.jpg" by Lawrence and David Barera is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Approximately thirty railroads purchased A units, B units, or both. The single largest buyer was the Pennsylvania Railroad, which purchased 75 A units. Other significant buyers included the New York Central Railroad (60 A units), Union Pacific Railroad (18 A units and 28 B units), and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (40 A units).

"Baltimore & Ohio EMD E8Am 53" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with CC0 1.0.

The B&O purchased a total of 20 A units and 6 B units that were delivered starting in 1950. Our subject locomotive, B&O #28 was delivered in 1953.

"File:La Paz B&O Jul 1963 2-31.jpg" by Lawrence and David Barera is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The B&O E8s would go on to receive simplified paint schemes such as the one below when shopped for overhaul.

"Baltimore & Ohio EMD E8 1444" by Digital Rail Artist is marked with CC0 1.0.

Model Information

The Proto 2000 E8A #28 is a pre Walthers DC model that came equipped with Kadee Knuckle couplers.

Sharp eyes will note the model is missing the ladder over the front truck. Other than that the engine is in fine cosmetic condition.

For reasons unknown the B&O chose an engine number on the side above the last axle that is extremely small.

The 28 is located on the engineers side at the rear of the engine. Typical of the P-2000 series the model comes with separately applied ladders and grab irons. Those little white spots are from the Styrofoam cradle in the train box. A toothbrush took care of this.

The number 28 is prominent on the nose door above the B&O herald. The headlight oscillates when the locomotive is running forward. The front of the engine features separately applied windshield wipers, grab irons and opening doors.  

The B&O E8A #28 Hauls The Varnish!

Final Thoughts and Comments

The B&O E8A is a welcome addition to the BINO and combined family fleet. Like the other P-2000 E units in the combined fleets this model is heavily weighted, smooth running and with the added on details looks very good at the head of the B&O varnish. The engine is capable of hauling heavy loads up the grades on the layout as demonstrated in the video

Additional Sources, Links & Photos

American Rails E8 Page.

Wikipedia E8 Page.

B&O E8A #1448 built as B&O #28.

Amtrak E8A #204, nee B&O #1448, #28

B&O E8A #31.

B&O E8A #1439 at Toledo, Ohio. 1966.

B&O E8A #1446 with an Amtrak Train in 1972

Thanks for reading and watching!!!

See you soon!!!