Max Ephraim Jr
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Max Ephraim, Jr. (1918-2001) was an American railroad mechanical engineer who played a significant role in the transition from steam-powered to diesel-electric locomotives during the 1950s.
Early life
Max Ephraim was born to Max and Margaret at Washington Park Hospital on October 15, 1918 and raised on the
Early career
Ephraim started his career at the
During
Career
Ephraim returned to EMD where he was assigned as project manager for the NW5. The NW5 was an early concept road-switcher, and was used to switch passenger cars at major passenger stations such as Chicago's Union Station. After the NW5, he headed development of the Branch Line locomotives – BL1 and BL2. The BL models were intended to address the shortcomings of a car body style locomotive. They provided superior visibility to their car body styled counterparts, while also eliminating the requirement to be turned around for a return trip on the same rail. Electro-Motive subsequently mothballed the BL2 and replaced it with the GP7.
In 1955, Ephraim became the locomotive section engineer. In 1959, he led a team in the development of
After his retirement from EMD, Ephraim became chairman of the board of Modern Process Equipment, Inc. (MPE) of Chicago, Illinois, a family owned firm managed by his sons.
Death
In 1989, Ephraim's wife suffered a stroke. She recovered and he became her primary caregiver. She died in 1999. Ephraim died on September 16, 2001, of kidney failure at the age of 82.
Honors
Ephraim was elected a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from the Illinois Institute of Technology. The Max Ephraim, Jr. Conference Room at the McCormick Tribune Campus Center on The Illinois Institute of Technology campus is named in his honor. Endowed Max Ephraim scholarships have been established at IIT and Evangel University.
References
External links
- Keeping His Career on Track, Chicago Tribune, Aug 27, 1995 http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-08-27/features/9508270044_1_locomotive-general-motors-electro-motive-diesel
- In His Track, Illinois Institute of Technology Magazine, Fall 2004, http://www.iit.edu/magazine/fall_2004/article3.shtml
- Musings with Max: A Family Collection of Experiences and Short Stories http://theephraims.com/files/musings_with_max.pdf