Description

Following the success of the EMD E7, the E8 and E9 locomotives gained equal popularity among many Class 1 railroads. The E8 and E9 marked the culmination of the “E-Unit” series of passenger locomotives produced by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division in La Grange, Illinois. The E8 was capable of producing 2,250 horsepower, thanks to its two 12-cylinder model 567B engines, each driving a generator to power the two traction motors on one truck. From August 1949 to January 1954, a total of 450 cab versions, or E8As, were manufactured, with 447 for the U.S. and 3 for Canada. Additionally, 46 E8Bs were built exclusively for the U.S. from December 1949 to January 1954.

The E9 followed the success of the E8. These locomotives produced slightly more horsepower than their predecessors, the E8s (2,400 compared to 2,250), and featured a different, flusher-fitting mounting for the headlight glass as the only visible difference. E9s powered American passenger and mail trains from the 1950s through the late 1970s. E9s were frequently seen pulling some of America’s most iconic trains, including Union Pacific Railroad’s “City” fleet, Burlington’s “Zephyr” fleet, and Southern Pacific Railroad’s Coast Daylight and Sunset Limited. Between April 1954 and January 1964, 100 cab-equipped A units and 44 cabless booster B units were produced, all for service in the United States.

E9s, along with their E7 and E8 predecessors, traversed the country on lesser-known passenger trains, Chicago’s commuter train network, and various mail and express trains. As America’s passenger train network diminished due to declining ridership, Union Pacific, Rock Island, and Illinois Central repurposed E9s for freight trains. Burlington Northern and Chicago and North Western upgraded their fleets of E9s with Head-end power and EMD 645 power assemblies for commuter operations in the Chicago metropolitan area, a practice that continued into the early 1990s.

Numerous examples of E8s and E9s are preserved across the country. Many are still operational at museums and tourist railroads nationwide. Union Pacific, in particular, maintains a fleet of three E9s, occasionally deploying them for excursion services or for transporting railroad executives across the Union Pacific system.

In this production, BLI is modeling A and B-units from 8 railroads with prototypically accurate road numbers and paint schemes. BLI is offering A-B sets with Powered A-units (w/ Paragon4 Sound) and unpowered B-units, and also separate single A and B-units (where appropriate) with our full Paragon4 DC/DCC/Sound system. All of our models have road-specific details and lighting.

Road-specific detail options in this production, prototypically accurate for each road name:

Pilot prototypical per prototype
Operating Mars Light where prototypical (with decoder installed)
Large 45-degree number boards where prototypically accurate
Prototypical horn detail and location on model
Accurate air intake behind cab side doors
Prototypical porthole locations
Dynamic Brake Hatch location per the prototype
Dual or Single Steam Generator per the prototype
Cooling fans and exhaust hatch accurate per each prototype
Rotary Beacon where appropriate
Accurate position of lift lugs per the prototype
Accurate headlight positioning per the prototype
Multiple MU door options on front of model
Prototypically accurate truck sideframes
Ladder rest grab irons present where prototypically accurate
Eyebrow grab irons present where prototypically accurate
Grab irons above cab side windows where prototypically accurate
Roof antenna present and correct where prototypically accurate
Front and Rear lift lug present where accurate
Nose door number plate present where accurate
Trainphone antenna present where accurate
Cab Window wind deflector where accurate
Equipped with Rubber Traction Tires for Increased Pulling Power

Industry-leading Model Features:

Paragon4 Sound & Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER
Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for Superb Slow Speed Operation in DC and DCC
Precision Drive Mechanism Engineered for Heavy Towing and Smooth Slow Speed Operation
All Wheel Electrical Pick-up
ABS Body with Die Cast Chassis for Maximum Tractive Effort
Premium Caliber Painting
Prototypically Accurate Paint Schemes and Road Numbers
Many Separately Applied Details such as Grab Irons, Horns, and Bell
Prototypical Light Operation
Prototypically Accurate Sounds for the EMD E8/E9 Diesel Locomotive
MicroTrains-compatible Couplers (2)
Will Operate on Code 55, Code 70 and Code 80 Rail
Minimum Operating Radius: 9 inches

Paragon4 Sound & Control System Features:

Operates in DC & DCC with improved DC speed control (use DCMaster for DC Sound)
Built-In extra capacitance to navigate imperfect track
Pro Lighting Mode offers individual control of all lights on model
Switcher Mode for precise low speed control
Record & Play Operation – Records and plays back sounds and movements once or repeatedly for automatic operation
High Resolution Audio
Quillable Horn for various whistle lengths and patterns
Choice of 3 selectable Horns
Alternate Whistle / Horn where applicable for locomotive with air horn and steam whistle – both the main whistle and alternate can be easily played
Adjustable bell ringing interval for faster or slower bell
Numerous user-mappable functions with available keys
Multiple realistic passenger and crew sounds play on command
Grade Crossing Automatic Signal
Automatic Forward / Reverse Signal
Prime Mover sound intensity varies with load
Individually adjustable sound volumes for each effect
EZ Reset Button for quick return to factory default settings

**Specifications on this page are subject to change.