General Electric GE-800 Railway Motor, 1893-1900

THF374365 / General Electric GE-800 Railway Motor, 1893-1900
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Artifact Overview

General Electric was a major supplier of electrical equipment for streetcar builders and operators. Its 800-series motor was the first truly successful production railway motor, with more than 21,500 made from 1893 to 1900. The 25-horsepower unit weighed 1,455 pounds -- an impressive power-to-weight ratio at the time. This example was used in Pittsburgh -- coincidentally home to GE's chief rival, Westinghouse.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Motor

Date Made

1893-1900

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

29.1333.346

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company.

Material

Metal

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 24 in
Width: 30 in
Length: 27 in

Inscriptions

on dataplate: WESTINGHOUSE / W / HISTORICAL / COLLECTION / NO 346 on dataplate: GENERAL ELECTRIC / 800 / NO 17411 FORM A / PATENTED JAN. 13 '80 OCT. 5 '80 AUG 2 '81 / (...) / MAR 8 '92 / PATENTS APPLIED FOR
General Electric GE-800 Railway Motor, 1893-1900