EMD F9

The EMD F9 is a 1,750 horsepower (1,300 kW) Diesel-electric locomotive produced between February 1953 and May 1960 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors (EMD) and General Motors Diesel (GMD). It succeeded the F7 model in GM-EMD's F-unit sequence. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant. The F9 was also built in Canada by General Motors Diesel at their London, Ontario plant. A total of 92 cab-equipped lead A units and 156 cabless booster B units were built. The F9 was the fifth model in GM-EMD's highly successful "F" series of cab unit diesel locomotives.

EMD F9
D&RGW F9 #5771 in 2009. Note the carbody filter grille ahead of the front porthole, the only reliable distinguishing feature of an F9.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Diesel (GMD, Canada) Model F9 Build date February 1953 – May 1960 Total produced 92 A units, 156 B units
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Trucks Blomberg B Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Minimum curve 23° (250.79 ft or 76.44 m radius) Wheelbase 39 ft (11.89 m) Length A unit, 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m) B unit, 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m) Width 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m) Height 15 ft (4.57 m) Prime mover EMD 16-567C RPM range 275-835 Engine type V16 Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Displacement 9,072 cu in (148.66 L; 32.70 imp gal) Cylinders 16 Cylinder size 8+1⁄2 in × 10 in (216 mm × 254 mm)
Performance figures Maximum speed 65–105 mph (105–169 km/h) Power output 1,750 hp (1.30 MW)
Career Locale North America

By the time cab units such as the F9 were built, railroads were turning to the road switcher-style of locomotive, as they had much better visibility from the cab without the need to lean out the window. The F9 was succeeded in most part by the EMD GP9.

Engine and powertrain

The F9 used a 16-cylinder 567C series Diesel engine developing 1,750 hp (1.30 MW) at 800 rpm. The 567 was designed specifically for locomotive applications, being a 45 degree V-type two-stroke design, with 567 cu in (9.29 L) displacement per cylinder, for a total of 9,072 cu in (148.66 L). A D.C. generator powered four D37 traction motors, two on each Blomberg B truck. EMD has built all of its major components since 1939. ^{[1] [2]}

Identification

An F9 can be distinguished reliably from a late F7 only by the addition of an extra filter grille ahead of the front porthole on the side panels on A units. Internally, the use of an 567C prime mover increased power to 1,750 hp (1.30 MW) from the F7's 1,500 hp (1.12 MW).

Original owners

EMD built 248 E9 locomotives: 92 A units and 156 B units. Nine railroads purchased A units; all but one of these purchased B units. Six railroads purchased B units only. The most significant buyer was the Northern Pacific Railway, which purchased 38 A units and 32 B units. Other significant buyers included the Canadian National Railway (38 B units) and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (18 of each).^[3] Locomotives intended for use in Canada were built by General Motors Diesel, EMD's Canadian subsidiary. These included the Canadian National's order,^[4] and eight B units for the Canadian Pacific Railway.^[5]

See also

• Trains portal

• EMD FP9
• EMD FL9
• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives