EMD "E5" Locomotives: Data, Specs, Roster

Last revised: December 19, 2024

The E5 was a variant of Electro-Motive's passenger line produced specifically for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy or its subsidiaries.

Internally, it was virtually identical to every other E model save for its relatively new GM prime mover. Externally, the only significant change from previous designs then cataloged was the addition of fluted stainless steel, a trademark of both the Burlington's passenger trains and the Budd Company.

Photos

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (Colorado & Southern) E5A #9950-A, named the "Silver Racer" and one of the lead units for the "Texas Zephyr," is seen here at Dallas Union Station during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

Internally, the E5 was virtually identical to its future cousin, the E6. It carried two 567 prime movers capable of a combined 2,000 horsepower and A1A-A1A trucks.

It featured a few ornamental differences, most notably fluted stainless steel to match the Budd Company equipment. Today, #9911A (the Silver Pilot) is preserved and operable at the Illinois Railway Museum, using an original consist of equipment.

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy E5A #9913, named the "Silver Wings" (built October, 1940), and a 1941 Pontiac Torpedo. Photo colorized by Patty Allison.

The E5 began production in early 1940. It was ordered by the CB&Q to power the railroad's new Zephyr passenger train fleet which included names like the Afternoon Zephyr, Morning Zephyr, Nebraska Zephyr, Ak-Sar-Ben Zephyr, and the American Royal Zephyr.

Per Electro-Motive's common practice for passenger models, the E5 used an A1A-A1A truck setup (meaning the center axle was unpowered) and featured two GM model 567 prime movers; combined these could produce 2,000 horsepower.

Additionally, using four of GM's standard model D7 traction motors the E5 offered 56,500 pounds of starting tractive effort and 31,000 pounds continuous.

Once again, EMC gave the E5 a "slant nose" design, commonly used on the E3 and E4, which disappeared entirely following the E6 as both E and F models used the classic "bulldog" design.

Fort Worth & Denver (Burlington) E5B #9980-B, named the "Silver Warrior." American-Rails.com collection.

Production of the EMC E5 ran through mid-1941 and although the design was manufactured for over a year only 11 E5As and 5 E5Bs were built.

The CB&Q first began receiving its locomotives in February and March of 1940 when E5A's 9910A-9912A, 9909, and Fort Worth & Denver City 9980A arrived along with E5Bs 9910B-9912B, Colorado & Southern 9950B, and Fort Worth & Denver City 9980B.

Burlington (Colorado & Southern) E5A #9954 (built as CB&Q #9913, named the "Silver Wings"), and other power, layover at Colorado Springs, Colorado, circa 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

That concluded its order of B units but another A arrived in October of that year, CB&Q 9913. Finally, in June of 1941 just months before the United State entered World War II A units 9914A, 9914B, 9915A, and 9915B arrived completing the order.

The Burlington apparently really liked their E5s as they remained in service all of the way through the 1960s although some units were retired prior to that time.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Entered Production	2/1940 (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #9910-A)
Years Produced	2/1940 - 6/1941
Engine	567 (2)
Engine Builder	GM
Horsepower	2000
RPM	800
Cylinders	12
Length	71' 1 ¼"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)	13' 11"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Roof Horn)	14' 0"
Width	10' 7"
Weight	315,000 Lbs (A Units): 290,000 Lbs (B Units)
Fuel Capacity	1,200 Gallons
Air Compressor	Gardner-Denver
Air Compressor Model	WBO
Air Brake Manufacturer	Westinghouse
Air Brake Schedule	HSC
Trucks	A1A
Truck Type	Blomberg
Truck Wheelbase	14' 1"
Wheel Size	36"
Steam Generator Manufacturer	Vapor-Clarkson
Steam Generator Capacity	1200 Lbs/Hr
Traction Motors	D7 (4), GM
Primary Generator	D4 (2), GM
Auxiliary Generator	Delco
MU (Multiple-Unit)	Yes
Dynamic Brakes	No
Gear Ratio	52:15
Tractive Effort (Starting)	56,500 Lbs at 25%
Tractive Effort (Continuous)	31,000 Lbs at 11 mph
Top Speed	116 mph

Production Roster

E5A

Total Built = 11

Owner	Road Number	Serial Number	Order Number	Completion Date	Quantity
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9910A-9912A, 9909	967-970	E278	2/1940-3/1940	4
Colorado & Southern	9950A	1035	E278	3/1940	1
Fort Worth & Denver City	9980A	1036	E278	3/1940	1
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9913	1133	E331	10/1940	1
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9914A-9915A, 9914B-9915B	1301-1304	E377	6/1941	4

E5B

Total Built = 5

Owner	Road Number	Serial Number	Order Number	Completion Date	Quantity
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	9910B-9912B	971-973	E279	2/1940-3/1940	3
Colorado & Southern	9950B	1037	E279	3/1940	1
Fort Worth & Denver City	9980B	1038	E279	3/1940	1

A Burlington E5A has a Boy Scout Jamboree Special returning from Colorado east of Main Street Station in Downers Grove, Illinois in August, 1960. Rick Burn photo.

In many ways, the E5 was simply a variant design as the company had already began production on the E6 in 1939 that coincided with the release of its publicly successful FT model used in freight service.

The E6 sold more than 100 A an B units and the following E7 and E8 designs outshopped more than 1,000 altogether.

Locomotive Names

"A" Units

(Cabs)

Road Number	Name	Date Built	Disposition
9909 (CB&Q)	Silver Bullet	3/1940	Colorado & Southern 9953 (11/9/1955), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9910-A (CB&Q)	Silver Speed	2/1940	Colorado & Southern 9951-A (7/14/1955), EMD Trade-In (10/31/1967)
9911-A (CB&Q)	Silver Pilot	2/1940	Fort Worth & Denver #9982-A (6/1/1955), Colorado & Southern 9952-A (10/1/1955), Illinois Railway Museum
9912-A (CB&Q)	Silver Meteor	3/1940	GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9913 (CB&Q)	Silver Wings	10/1940	Colorado & Southern 9954 (4/25/1957), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9914-A (CB&Q)	Silver Arrow	6/1941	Colorado & Southern 9955 (9/20/1961), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9914-B (CB&Q)	Silver Swift	6/1941	Wrecked (8/22/1960)
9915-A (CB&Q)	Silver Carrier	6/1941	Wrecked (4/22/1963), GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9915-B (CB&Q)	Silver Clipper	6/1941	GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9950-A (C&S)	Silver Racer	3/1940	EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9980-A (FW&D)	Silver Chief	3/1940	Scrapped

"B" Units

(Cabless)

Road Number	Name	Date Built	Disposition
9910-B (CB&Q)	Silver Power	2/1940	Scrapped
9911-B (CB&Q)	Silver Mate	3/1940	Scrapped
9912-B (CB&Q)	Silver Comet	3/1940	Scrapped
9914-B (CB&Q)	Silver Swift	3/1940	Scrapped
9950-B (C&S)	Silver Steed	3/1940	Trade-In (10/1967)
9980-B (FW&D)	Silver Warrior	3/1940	Scrapped

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy E5A #9980-A, named the "Silver Chief," has the "Texas Zephyr" in Fort Worth, Texas during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

By the time the war had ended EMD was fully entrenched as the leader of the diesel locomotive market pulling away from the American Locomotive Company whose beautiful but mechanically trouble-prone PA fell behind the E series in sales and interest.

General Motors' subsidiary would soon begin to dominate the industry by the 1950s releasing models like the GP7 and GP9.

In any event, as mentioned above one of these beautiful locomotives was preserved, #9911A, which resides at the Illinois Railway Museum. It is occasionally operates and has even been featured in movies (notably "A League of Their Own" and "Flags of Our Fathers").

Sources

Hayden, Bob. Diesel Locomotives: Cyclopedia, Volume 2 (Model Railroader). Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1980.

Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.

Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

Solomon, Brian. EMD Locomotives. Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.

Solomon, Brian. Electro-Motive E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2011.

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