Air Force #1673, also known as "Little Blue," is an 80-ton center cab switcher
(Model R5-4-T) built in 1952 by General Electric. The two ends are mirror images of each
other. Each end has a headlight. There is an exhaust stack just in front of the cab on both
ends. The bell is mounted under the walkway near the front left side. The engines, Caterpillar
models D 379, have 12 cylinders with 8" stroke that generate 500 horsepower. Westinghouse
traction motors (Model 974-A) operate on 640v dc. Tractive effort is 48,000 pounds starting,
dropping to 20,720 continuous. Maximum allowable speed is 51 mph. She will take 76 degree curves.
Little Blue was purchased by the Museum from the Federal Government in 1994
and moved from Barksdale AFB to Galveston. She is operable. She is painted Air Force blue
and has white markings.
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