The Train Built To Break Down — Why GM Crammed Two V12s Into The E8

The EMD E8 was the undisputed king of American passenger rail, but its iconic exterior hid severe mechanical compromises. To reach 2,250 horsepower in 1949, engineers crammed two separate V12 engines into a single carbody, creating a heavy and hyper-complex machine. This video examines the brute-force engineering behind the E8, from its A1A trucks and severe adhesion deficits to the temperamental steam generators that made it a logistical headache for maintenance crews.