EMD E9

Infobox Locomotive
name=EMD E9
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg|lk=on

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caption=BN 9918, one of the last E9AM locomotives used on Metra's line to Aurora, Illinois, seen here in September 1992.
poweroutput=convert|2400|hp|abbr=on|lk=on
aarwheels=A1A-A1A
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
builddate=April 1954 – January 1964
buildmodel=E9
totalproduction=100 A units, 44 B units
locale=United States
cylindercount=V12
primemover=EMD 567C, 2 off
enginetype=Two stroke diesel
disposition=most scrapped, several preserved, none in revenue serviceThe EMD E9 was a convert|2400|hp|sing=on, 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 lead A units were produced, along with 44 cabless booster B units. All were for service within the United States. The E9 was the tenth and final model of EMD E-unit produced, 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 externally visible difference. Since some E8s were fitted with this, it is not a reliable way to distinguish between the two.

The convert|2400|hp|abbr=on was achieved with two convert|1200|hp|abbr=on, V12 model 567C engines, each engine driving its own generator to power the traction motors.

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.

Operation

The E9's best-known role was in powering American passenger and mail trains from the 1950s well 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 commute trains and many mail and express trains covering vast distances. As America's passenger train service began to shrink due to unprofitablity, Union Pacific, Rock Island and Illinois Central Railroad began using E9s on their fast freight trains.

Amtrak, founded in 1971, bought scores of E9s from the Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, Seaboard Coast Line, and Penn Central. Amtrak used the E9s throughout their nationwide network until the late 1970s, and converted large numbers of the cab-less E9-B units for dedicated service as steam generator and head end power cars. [http://hebners.net/amtrak/amtE9B.html Amtrak E9-B steam generator car pictures]

Original owners

References

*
* Reich, Sy (1973). "Diesel Locomotive Rosters – The Railroad Magazine Series". Wayner Publications. No Library of Congress or ISBN.

External links

* [http://www.irm.org/roster/index.html Illinois Railway Museum's Equipment roster] (type "E9" and search the collection)
* [http://membrane.com/bigtoys/rail/units/e_units.html Andrew Toppan's list]
* [http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/excurs/stream.shtml The Union Pacific's trio of re-engined E9s]