EMD E8
Rock_Island_locomotive_652.jpg
The EMD E8 was an 2,250 hp, A1A-A1A passenger train locomotive manufactured by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois. The cab version, or E8A, was manufactured from August, 1949 to December, 1953, and 421 were produced – 418 for the U.S., and 3 for Canada. The booster version, or E8B, was manufactured from December, 1949 to May, 1953, and 39 were produced – all for the U.S. The 2,250 hp was achieved by putting two 1,125 hp, 12 cylinder, model 567B engines in the engine compartment. Each engine drove its own generator to power the traction motors. The E8 was the ninth model in a long line of passenger diesels of similar design known as EMD E-units.
Compared with other passenger locomotives made earlier by EMD, the noses of the E7 cab units had the appearance of a bulldog’s snout when viewed from the side. Therefore, the E7, E8, and E9 units have been nicknamed “bulldog nose” units. Some units made before these models were called “shovel nose” units or “slant nose” units because of their appearance.
Many E8’s survive today. According to Andrew Toppan’s list of March 5, 1997, 58 survive. See his external link below. One E8 is operated by the Midland Railway, in Baldwin City, Kansas. It is privately owned. It is ex-Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad E8A #652. It is used occasionally, mainly for special events.
Partial list of new locomotive deliveries
- Chicago and Northwestern - E8A 5021A,B-5030A,B, 5031A
- Burlington Route - E8A 9937B, 9938A-9949A, 9938B-9948B, 9964-9977
- Rock Island Railroad - E8A 643-656
References
- Marre, Louis A. (1982). Rock Island Diesel Locomotives - 1930-1980. Railfax, Inc. ISBN 0-942192-00-1.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Kalmbach Books, Waukesha, WI. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. p.EMD-124.
- Reich, Sy (1973). Diesel Locomotive Rosters – The Railroad Magazine Series. Wayner Publications. No Library of Congress or ISBN number.
External Links
| Diesel cab and cowl locomotives built by GM-EMD (See also: List of GM-EMD locomotives) | |
| Cab units (F- & E-units) | FT, F2, F3, F7, FP7, F9, FP9, FL9, TA, EA/EB, E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, AB6 |
| Cowl units: | F45, FP45, F40C, F40PH, F40PH-2, F40PH-2C, F40PH-2M, SDP40F, SD40-2F, SD50F, F59PH, F59PHI, SD60F |