EMD GP9

"GP9" redirects here. For the human gene, seeGlycoprotein IX.

EMD GP9
An EMD GP9 equipped withdynamic brakeson theShenandoah Valley RailroadinStaunton, Virginia.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division(EMD) General Motors Diesel(GMD) Model GP9 Build date 1954 – 1963 Total produced 4,272 (and 165B units)
Specifications Configuration: ​ •AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft8+1⁄2in(1,435 mm)standard gauge 5 ft 3 in(1,600 mm) (Brazil) Trucks EMD Blomberg B (Flexicoil on some CN units) Wheel diameter 40 in (1.016 m) Minimum curve 21°(273 ft (83.21 m) radius) Wheelbase 40 ft (12.19 m) Length 56 ft 2 in (17.12 m) Width 10 ft3+1⁄2in (3.14 m) Height 15 ft1⁄2in (4.58 m) Loco weight 259,500 lb (117,700 kg) Fuel capacity 1,100 US gal (4,200 L; 920 imp gal) Prime mover EMD16-567C RPMrange 835 max Engine type V16Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Displacement 9,072 cu in (148.66 L) Generator EMD D-12-B Traction motors (4) EMD D-37-B Cylinders 16 Cylinder size 8+1⁄2in × 10 in (216 mm × 254 mm)
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power output 1,750hp(1.30 MW) Tractive effort 64,750 lbf (288.0 kN)
Career Locale North America, South America

TheEMD GP9is a four-axlediesel-electric locomotivebuilt byGeneral Motors' Electro-Motive Divisionbetween 1954 and 1959. The GP9 succeeded theGP7as the second model of EMD's General Purpose (GP) line,incorporating a new sixteen-cylinderengine which generated 1,750horsepower(1.30 MW).This locomotive type was offered both with and without control cabs; locomotives built without control cabs were calledGP9Blocomotives.

EMD constructed 3,626 GP9s, including 165 GP9Bs.An additional 646 GP9s were built byGeneral Motors Diesel,EMD's Canadian subsidiary, for a total of 4,257 GP9s produced when Canadian production ended in 1963.The GP9 was succeeded by the similar but slightly more powerfulGP18.

Design and Production

EMD designed the GP9 as an improved version of the GP7, with an increase in power from 1,500 hp to 1,750 hp, and a change in prime mover to the latest version of the567 engine,the 567C.Externally, the GP9 strongly resembled its predecessor. Most were built with high short hoods, but theSouthern Pacificordered a number with low short hoods for improved crew visibility.

EMD built GP9s at its LaGrange, Illinois facility until 1959, when American production was ended in favor of the GP18.GMD production in Canada continued until August 1963, when the final GP9 was produced.

Rebuilds

Two GP15Cs with theRed River Valley and Western Railroad.

There were 40 GP9M units built that are included in the 3,441 units built for United States railroads. A GP9M was built with parts from another older EMD locomotive, either anF unitor a damaged GP7. The use of parts from these older locomotives caused the GP9Ms to have a lower power rating than a GP9. This would be either 1,350 horsepower (1.01 MW) if the donor locomotive was anFT/F2or 1,500 horsepower (1.12 MW) fromF3/F7/GP7locomotives.

Many rebuilt GP9s remain in service today with shortline railroads and industrial operators. Some remain in rebuilt form on some majorClass I railroads,as switcher locomotives although most Class 1 railroads stopped using these locomotives by the 1980s.Canadian Nationalstill had 29GP9RM locomotives in operation, as of 2022. Canadian Pacifichad many GP9u locomotives in operation; however, they were all retired in 2015.

EMD GP15C

Several GP9s were rebuilt with a 1,500 horsepower (1.12 MW)CAT3512 and re-classified asGP15C.

EMD GP10

Main article:EMD GP10

The Illinois Central Railroad rebuilt some of its GP9s with their front (short) hood reduced in height for improved crew visibility. The IC designated these rebuilt locomotivesGP10.

EMD GP20C-ECO

EMD has rebuilt and continues to rebuild GP9s into what it calls theGP20C-ECO,which is repowered with an EMD 8-710-G3A engine in place of the original 567 prime mover.

EMD GP9E and GP9R

Between April 1970 and March 1979, theSt. Louis Southwestern Railway(also known as the "Cotton Belt Route" ) and theSouthern Pacific Transportation Companyhad rebuilt the majority of their EMD GP9 locomotives intoEMD GP9E and GP9Rlocomotives.

A Canadian Pacific Railway EMD GP20C-ECO, the product of a GP9 rebuild.

Preservation

At least 23 GP9 locomotives have been preserved at various railroad museums, as "park engines", and as excursion engines according to The Diesel Shop:

• B&O 6607, originally numbered 3414, is at theB&O Railroad Museum,Baltimore, Maryland, in operating condition.
• Southern Pacific3194, a GP9R rebuild built asTexas and New Orleans281, is at the Golden Gate RR Museum, California. It is in operating condition.
• Northern Pacific 245 preserved at theLake Superior Railroad Museumin Duluth, currently painted as North Shore Scenic Railroad 245.

• 
  CNGP9 leads a train upYellowhead Pass.
• 
  AnMBTAGP9 locomotive making a non-revenue move intoSouth StationinBoston, Massachusetts.This locomotive was retired by the MBTA in 2004 and is now on static display at the Illinois Railway Museum as of September 2014.
• 
  A modified EMD GP9 of theSeminole Gulf Railway,Fort Myers, Florida.
• 
  This GTW rebuilt GP9 4619 is heading south on the Kalamazoo spur in Kalamazoo, MI.
• 
  Former BNSF 1685 high hood GP9 sitting in the Prairie Dog Central Yard. This was the last GP9 on the BNSF roster.
• 
  FormerNorthern Pacific245, operational on theNorth Shore Scenic RailroadinDuluth, Minnesota.

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives

References

Bibliography

• "The History of EMD Diesel Engines".Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2014.RetrievedDecember 14,2005.
• Dorin, Patrick C. (1972).Chicago and North Western Power.Burbank, California: Superior Publishing. pp. 108–110.ISBN0-87564-715-4.
• Pinkpank, Jerry A (1973).The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide.Kalmbach Books. pp. 12, 26, 52–56.ISBN0-89024-026-4.LCCN66-22894.
• Extra 2200 South,Issue no. 32, January–February 1972 Early Geep Tally- Part II
• Extra 2200 South,Issue no.48, Sep-Oct 1974
• Extra 2200 South,Issue no.49, Nov-Dec 1974