EMD E9
| EMD E9 | |
|---|---|
 BN 9918, one of the last E9AM locomotives used on Metra's line to Aurora, Illinois, seen here in September 1992. | |
| Specifications | |
| Power type | Diesel |
| Builder | General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) |
| Model | E9 |
| Build date | April 1954 – January 1964 |
| Total produced | 100 A units, 44 B units |
| AAR wheel arr. | A1A-A1A |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | 36 in (910 mm) |
| Minimum curve | 57° |
| Length | 70 ft 3 in (21.41 m) |
| Width | 10 ft 7 1⁄2 in (3.239 m) |
| Height | 14 ft 7 in (4.45 m) |
| Locomotive weight | A unit: 315,000 lb (143,000 kg), B unit: 290,000 lb (130,000 kg) |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Prime mover | (2) EMD 567C |
| Engine type | Two stroke diesel |
| Traction motors | (4) GM D37 |
| Cylinders | V12 |
| Top speed | 117 mph (188 km/h) |
| Power output | 2,400 hp (1,790 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 56,500 lb (25,600 kg) starting, 31,000 lb (14,000 kg) continuous |
| Career | |
| Locale | United States |
| Disposition | most scrapped, several preserved, none in revenue service though some used on special trains |
The E9 was a 2,400-horsepower (1,790 kW), A1A-A1A passenger train-hauling diesel locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois between April 1954 and January 1964. 100 cab-equipped A units were produced and 44 cabless booster B units, all for service in the United States. The E9 was the tenth and last model of EMD E-unit and differed from the earlier E8 as built only by the newer engines and a different, flusher-fitting mounting for the headlight glass, the latter being the only visible difference. Since some E8s were fitted with this, it is not a reliable way to distinguish the two.
The E9 had two 1,200 hp (895 kW), V12 model 567C engines, each engine driving one generator to power two traction motors.
Engine and powertrain
The E9 used twin 12 cylinder 567C engines developing a total of 2,400 hp at 800 r.p.m. Designed specifically for railroad locomotives, this supercharged 2 stroke 45 degree V type, with an 8 1/2" bore by 10" stroke giving 567 cubic inches displacement per cylinder, remained in production until 1966. Two D.C. generators, one per engine, provide power to four motors, two on each truck, in an A1A-A1A arrangement. This truck design was used on all E units and on MP 7100 and CB&Q 9908 power cars. EMD has built all of its major components since 1939.[1][2]
Operation
The E9 powered American passenger and mail trains from the 1950s into the late 1970s. Many of America's finest trains — such as Union Pacific Railroad's "City" fleet, Burlington's "Zephyr" fleet and Southern Pacific Railroad's Coast Daylight and Sunset Limited — had E9s pulling them. E9s and their E7 and E8 kin ran throughout the country on lesser-known passenger trains, Chicago's network of commuter trains and many mail and express trains. As America's passenger train network shrank due to unprofitibility, Union Pacific, Rock Island and Illinois Central Railroad began using E9s on freight trains.
Amtrak, founded in 1971, bought 36 E9As and 23 E9Bs from the Union Pacific, Milwaukee Road, B&O and SCL. Amtrak used the E9s until the late 1970s and converted some E9B units to steam generator and head end power cars.[3][4]
Original owners
| Railroad | Quantity A units | Quantity B units | Road numbers A units | Road numbers B units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore and Ohio Railroad | | | | | all bought by Amtrak |
| Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad | | | 9990–9995 | | Renumbered into 9900-9924 series (with 9 E8As). Rebuilt with 645 power assemblies and HEP.[5] Used in Chicago suburban service into the 1990s. |
| Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad | | | | | to Missouri Pacific Railroad |
| Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad | | | | | Built to Union Pacific specifications for City train service. Renumbered 30ABC–35ABC |
| | | | Built with Head end power for commuter service | ||
| Florida East Coast Railway | | | | | to Illinois Central 2036-2040 in 1969 via Precision National |
| Illinois Central Railroad | | | | | |
| Kansas City Southern Railway | | | | | Model E9m |
| Seaboard Air Line Railroad | | | | | bought by Amtrak |
| Southern Pacific Railroad | | | | | 6051 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | | | 943–962 | 950B–974B | |
| Totals | 100 | 44 |
Surviving examples
Many E9s survive today. According to Andrew Toppan's list of March 5, 1997, 42 survive. Four E9s are owned by the Illinois Railway Museum, in Union, Illinois. A number of railroads keep a small number in service for hauling inspection specials, charter passenger trains, investor tours, and the like. The Union Pacific Railroad rosters three, (951, 949, and 963B), which have been re-engined with single EMD 16-645E engines for commonality with other UP power and thus ease of maintenance.
See also
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Lamb, J. Parker (2007). Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive. Railroads Past and Present. Bloomington, IN, USA: Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253348630.
- Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series (Book 10). Waukesha, WI, USA: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890242585.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. p. 124. ISBN 0-89024-026-4.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A.; Marre, Louis A. (1979). Diesel Spotters Guide Update. Kalmbach Books. ISBN 0-89024-029-9.
- Reich, Sy (1973). Diesel Locomotive Rosters – The Railroad Magazine Series. Wayner Publications. No Library of Congress or ISBN.
- Ross, David, ed. (2003). The Encyclopedia of Trains and Locomotives. Barnes and Noble. ISBN 9780760796795.
- Schafer, Mike (1998). Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Enthusiast Color Series. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760305072.
- Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760306664.
- Solomon, Brian (2006). EMD Locomotives. St. Paul, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760323960.
- Solomon, Brian (2010). Vintage Diesel Power. Minneapolis, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 9780760337950.
- Solomon, Brian (2011). Electro-Motive E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760340073.
- Solomon, Brian (2012). North American Locomotives: A Railroad-by-Railroad Photohistory. Minneapolis, MN, USA: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760343708.
- Wilson, Jeff (2002). E Units: Electro-Motive's Classic Streamliners. Classic Trains / Golden Years of Railroading series. Waukesha, WI, USA: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890246068.
- Extra 2200 South #43 November December 1973 Amtrak Roster by Dick Will p.13
- Extra 2200 South #43 November December 1973 E8/E9 Roster and article by Dan Dover and Win Cuisinier (Preston Cook) pp. 14-24
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD E9 locomotives. |
- Bachand, Jean-Denis. "EMC E9 Data Sheet". Retrieved 27 January 2013.
- Illinois Railway Museum's Equipment roster (type "E9" and search the collection)
- Andrew Toppan's list
- The Union Pacific's trio of re-engined E9s
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