They’re not E-9s any more

(Photo by Steve Crise©.)

“They’re not E-9s any more.”
So says Union Pacific Heritage Steam-Locomotive Program Head-Honcho Steve Lee.
Lee was the manager of the Union Pacific Railroad Heritage Steam-Locomotive Program throughout the ‘90s.
What the units are, as far as I can see, is GP38s in the E-9 carbody.
“We gutted the inside; removed everything.
When you stood in the rear door, you could see clear through out the headlight up front.”
The Electromotive Division (EMD) E-unit, General Motors’ passenger locomotive, had two V12 engines. —An E-9 totaled 2,400 horsepower.
Of the six axles, only four were powered; that is, only the outside axles had traction motors. The center axles were unpowered.
The two V12s were removed, replaced by a single V16 of 2,000 horsepower.
That sounds like a GP38.
A Geep (GP) had only four axles, but all were powered; same as the rebuilt E-9s.
Even the control-stand is Geep. The original E-9 control-stand was replaced.
“This has the advantage of rendering a familiar control-stand. Crews were befuddled by the original E-9 control-stand.
Especially the brake controls. We replaced everything with current systems.
This also allows ease of repair. We’re not always scrounging for parts.”
To me this is cheating, but I don’t worry about it.


(Photo by BobbaLew.)

As far as I know, the Bennet and Eric Levin’s Juniata Terminal Co. E-units (pictured), actually ex-Conrail Executive Business Train E-8s, are actual E-units, although the two V12s were probably updated by Conrail.
UP’s E-units are like hot-rods. The original prime movers were replaced.
Of course, it’s a downgrading of horsepower; not an upgrade.
But in line with current technology.
The UP E-units could have been scrapped.
Instead, they were upgraded to current technology.

What this is, is I recently received a DVD from Pentrex train videos.
It was dirt cheap; a “Father’s Day Special.”
Only $9.95 plus shipping.
And it’s a combo video; two videos in one.
Two years ago I attended a car-show in Canandaigua.
There was a ’56 Ford pickup truck there, and it had a recent four-cam Ford V8.
What a fabulous concept; winch out that tired, worn-out boat-anchor of a motor, and replace with current technology.
Still an antique, but winding out leaving was a fabulous sound.
Same principle as putting current technology in an E-unit.
Except there the guiding principle was not mind-blowing performance.
I was preserving the E-unit.

• I’m a railfan, and have been since age-two. —I’m currently 66.
• “Canandaigua” (“cannon-DAY-gwuh”) is a small city nearby where we live in Western NY. The city is also within a rural town called “Canandaigua.” The name is Indian, and means “Chosen Spot.” —It’s about 15 miles away.