While Union Pacific's E-9 passenger locomotives are no longer active, they are a proud part of our heritage.
Union Pacific restored three E-9 passenger locomotives: No. 951, 949 and 963B. The first of the set, 951, was returned to the roster in 1984 after having been retired in 1980.
The sleek units are considered to be among the most graceful looking locomotives in American railroading, having evolved from the first Union Pacific streamlined locomotives back in 1934. The "E" series was started by EMD in the late 1930s. Delivery of the E-8s (virtually identical in appearance to the E-9s) in the 1950s completed dieselization of the Union Pacific's passenger service. E-9 production began in 1954 and the last E-9 unit was delivered to Union Pacific in 1964.
No. 951 was one of 69 E-9 locomotives once owned by Union Pacific. Built in 1955, it pulled such famous trains as the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of St. Louis and the Challenger. When Amtrak took over most of the nation's rail passenger service in 1971, No. 951 was one of eight units retained by UP for special service. The rest of the E units were sold or transferred to Amtrak.
In 1974 No. 951 was loaned to the sponsors of the American Freedom Train to promote the AFT's bicentennial tour. The locomotive was repainted with a red, white and blue bicentennial paint scheme and toured much of the nation pulling the "Preamble Express" in advance of the widely publicized steam-powered Freedom Train tours in 1975 and 1976. The locomotive was returned to Union Pacific after the tour and repainted to its traditional yellow in 1978.
No. 951, along with 949 and 963B, which were reacquired by UP in order to handle bigger trains, was rebuilt with modern components in 1993, although its outward appearance continued to retain the look of the 1955 era.
| Vital Statistics for Nos. 949, 951 and 963B | |
|---|---|
| Builder: | Electro-Motive Division General Motors (EMD) |
| Year Built: | 1955 |
| Model: | E-9 |
| Horsepower: | 2,000 |
| Engines: | 1 EMD 16-645E |
| Traction Motors: | 4 EMD D78 |
| Tractive Start Effort: | 56,480 lbs. |
| Tractive Effort, 98 mph: | 8,000 lbs. |
| Gear Ratio: | 55/22 |
| Top Speed: | 98 mph |
| Headlights: | Mars Twin-sealed beam, 600,000 candlepower |
| Bearings: | Hyatt Roller |
| Fuel: | 2,400 gallons |
| Lube Oil: | 330 gallons |
| Engine Cooling Water: | 436 gallons |
| Sand: | 18 cubic ft. |
| Weight: | 335,770 lbs. or 167.8 tons |
| Length: | 70 ft. 3 in. over pulling faces |
| Width: | 10 ft. 7-1/2 in. |
| Height: | 16 ft. |
| Max. Track Curvature: | 21 degrees |
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