The EMD GP9, An American Icon

The General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP9 series, like its sister GP7 model, would find enormous success and even eclipse the GP7 in terms of sales to become one of the most successful diesel locomotives ever built. Following the tremendous sales performance of the GP7, the series affectionately became known as “Geeps,” and the GP9 simply followed in that success. Until the release of the GP7 EMD was lagging far behind the other locomotive builders, particularly the American Locomotive Company (Alco) and its early RS models. However, the model instantly propelled EMD as the industry leader of road switchers (along with virtually every other model type) and it only reaffirmed its dominance with the GP9. In just five years of production the model amazingly sold more than 3,500 examples (including B units), nearly a 32% net increase in sales! Together the two models, aside from the SD40 series, are likely the best selling of all time, combining for over 6,000 units built when production ended on the GP9 in 1959. Today, hundreds of GP9s remain either in operation on shortlines or in use aboard a tourist railroad. Others remain preserved at various museums and historical societies.

Its locomotives were reliable, easy to maintain, and efficient. Once again, it was EMD's chief engineer Richard "Dick" Dilworth who laid out the general design of the GP7, and the company's styling department headed by John Markestein put the finishing touches on the new model. As for the GP9 it carried the standard carbody appearance of the former but offered new features. First was the latest version of the company's prime mover, the 567C. This engine offered a slight increase in horsepower of 1,750 (250 more than the GP7). It also offered a new traction motor, the model D37 although tractive effort ratings remained the same; 65,000 pounds starting and 40,000 pounds continuous. The GP9 also weighed slightly less at just 120 tons while increasing its length to just over 56 feet.

Not surprisingly, with the success of the GP9 and GP7 series the units could be found on all types of railroads (both large and small) and in all types of service (main lines, spurs, branch lines, yards, etc.). Of course, the 3,400+ units listed above includes only those U.S. companies that bought the GP9. Since 1949 EMD had established its Canadian division, General Motors Diesel (GMD) that saw a few hundred sales of the GP7 just after opened although sales really took off for the GP9. Ten different Canadian lines purchased 646 examples of the locomotive including; Algoma Central Railway (2), Canadian National (349), Canadian Pacific (200), Quebec Cartier Mining (9), Midland Railway Company of Manitoba (1), New York Central for its Canadian operations (12), Northern Alberta Railways (10), Ontario Northland Railway (6), Quebec North Shore & Labrador Railway (54), and Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway (3).

It should also be noted that there were buyers for the GP9B although it sold very like like with the GP7B; the Pennsylvania Railroad bought 40 while Union Pacific purchased 125. The units’ extreme versatility is, of course, what made them so successful, and many continue to be found today in freight service on both shortlines and regionals (as well as museums and tourist lines). Spotting them, however, can be a bit tough, as most have been rebuilt at some point in the last 50 years, sometimes altering their looks a bit. Be on the lookout, however, and you can find them! The GP7 and GP9 models were only the beginning of the series and later four-axle, as well as six-axle, models would follow. For complete serial numbers of the GP9s/Bs sold please click here. Also, for technical data regarding the EMD GP9 please click here. Also, for information about EMD's GP series please refer to the chart below.

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Electro-Motive Division's "General Purpose" Road Switchers

You might want to also consider the book EMD Locomotives from author Brian Solomon. Solomon's book highlights the history of EMD from its earliest beginnings in the 1920s, to its phenomenal successes in the mid-20th century, and finally its decline into second spot behind General Electric in the late 20th century and eventual sale by General Motors in 2005. The book features 176 pages of EMD history and is filled with excellent photography and illustrations. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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