The EMD SD9 is a model of diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1954 and June 1959. An EMD 567C 16-cylinder engine generated 1,750 horsepower (1.30 MW). Externally similar to its predecessor, the SD7, the SD9 was built with the improved and much more maintainable 567C engine.
Four hundred and seventy-one SD9s were built for American railroads, while a further 44 were produced for export.
Many SD9s, both high and short hood, can still be found in service today on shortline railroads and industrial operators. Although most Class 1 roads stopped using these locomotives by the 1970s and 1980s, some remain in rebuilt form on some major Class I railroads as switcher locomotives.
The SD9 was the second model of EMD's SD (special duty) line of locomotives, following the SD7. Just as the SD7 was a lengthened GP7 with two additional axles, the SD9 was a corresponding modification of the GP9. The additional axles in SD series locomotives provide more tractive effort and more even distribution of locomotive weight compared to the four axle GP series locomotives.[2]
SD9s can be distinguished from the similar looking SD7s by observing the position of the classification lights on the ends of the locomotive, above the number board. The SD9's classification lights are on a small pod, canted outward, while the SD7's classification lights are closer to the centerline and flush with the hood.[3]
The last phase of construction had a carbody similar to the SD18 and SD24, and used two 48-inch (1,219 mm) cooling fans instead of four 36-inch (914 mm) cooling fans.
EMD ended SD9 production in June 1959. It was succeeded by the SD18 which began production in 1960.
Accidents and incidents
On September 4, 1967, Great Northern SD9 #576 was involved in a fire at Superior, Wisconsin, but was rebuilt after the accident.[4]
On April 26, 1972, Denver and Rio Grande SD9 #5305 was involved in a wreck at Pueblo, but was rebuilt in September 1972 with a short low hood.[5]
Variants
SD9s
EMD produced a lightweight variant of the SD9, named the SD9s. This locomotive had its weight reduced for service on lighter tracks with modifications such as a smaller fuel tank.[3]
Between August 1970 and March 1980, the Southern Pacific Transportation Company had rebuilt 144 of their units into EMD SD9Ediesel locomotives under their own rebuild program known as the General Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (G.R.I.P) and renumbered 142 of their rebuilt units as 4300-4441 and two additional rebuilt units being renumbered as 4450 and 4451, as well as reclassifying their 142 units as EF618E-1 and classified their two units #4450 and #4451 as EF618E-2, which had left six other SD9 locomotives un-rebuilt.[6]
SD9m
N&W SD9m #2349
The SD9m was a rebuild from SD7s and SD9s mostly by Norfolk Southern Railway (NS). NS rebuilt a total of ten SD9 units and used them in revenue service between 1989 and 2010.[7]
Only two SD9m units are in preservation:
NS #52 which was restored into its Norfolk and Western (N&W) colors and N&W number #2349.
NS #57, which was restored to its original Nickel Plate (NKP) colors and original number #358 by Progress Rail.[8][9][10]
Southern Pacific SD9E #4451 is currently stored in derelict condition at Schellville, California where its future remains undetermined.
Southern Pacific SD9E #4433 was used on the Portland and Western Railroad (P&W) as PNWR #1854 for switching and industry service, however it is still in service specifically for being assigned to the rock train. The unit was retired in February 2024 and was stored at Albany, Oregon for the time being.
Currently preserved
Some SD9 locomotives can be found in museums and on tourist lines, and at least two are in service on a working railroad.
BNSF #1552 is stored on the now-defunct Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad in Oklahoma, intended for preservation. It is classified as an SD9-3.
BNSF #6125 (ex-GN #598) is preserved at the Inland Northwest Rail Museum at Reardan, Washington, having been donated in 2020. It is being restored into its original Great Northern appearance.[13]
Great Northern #599 is preserved by the Inland Northwest Rail Museum in Reardan, Washington. It will undergo a cosmetic restoration, with mechanical parts used for the restoration of #598. [14]
Norfolk and Western SD9m #2349 (ex-NKP #349) is preserved at the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum. It was donated to the museum in December 2010 by Norfolk Southern.
Southern Pacific SD9E locomotive #4303 is currently under ownership of the Dieselmotive Company Inc. (BUGX) as BUGX #4303.
Southern Pacific SD9E locomotive #4304 is currently under ownership of the Dieselmotive Company Inc. (BUGX) as BUGX #4304.
Southern Pacific SD9E locomotive #4427 is currently being used in revenue freight service on the Dakota Southern Railway.[16]
Formerly preserved, scrapped during preservation
Southern Pacific SD9E #4368 was used on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB)[17] until being scrapped in October 2010 after POTB had went defunct in 2007.
Southern Pacific SD9E #4381 (that still had the Southern Pacific's "Kodachrome" livery of the proposed and failed merger between Southern Pacific and Santa Fe) was used on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB)[17] until being scrapped in January 1999 after being involved in an accident when its brakes had failed which it had derailed and rolled down a hill.
Southern Pacific SD9E #4414 was used on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB)[17] until being scrapped in October 2010 after POTB had went defunct in 2007
Southern Pacific SD9E #4432 was used on the Port of Tillamook Bay Railroad (POTB)[17] until being scrapped in October 2010 after POTB had went defunct in 2007
Southern Pacific SD9E #4450 "Huff" was used on the Golden Gate Railroad Museum[18] before being donated to Western Pacific Railroad Museum alongside Southern Pacific SD9E #4404 until being scrapped in August 2013 due to its poor condition and lack of alignment control couplers.[19]
References
↑Bachand, Jean-Denis. "EMD SD9". The Diesel Shop. Archived from the original on 2022-03-31. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
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Media related to EMD SD9 locomotives at Wikimedia Commons
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