EMD E8

Infobox Locomotive
name=EMD E8
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg

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caption=Rock Island E8 #652, operated by Midland Railway of Baldwin City, Kansas.
poweroutput=convert|2250|hp|abbr=on|lk=on
aarwheels=A1A-A1A
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
buildmodel=E8
builddate=August 1949 – January 1954
totalproduction=449 A units, 46 B units
enginetype= EMD 567B, 2 off
enginetype= Two-stroke diesel
cylindercount=V12
disposition=most scrapped, several preservedThe EMD E8 was a convert|2250|hp|sing=on, A1A-A1A passenger train locomotive manufactured by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of La Grange, Illinois. The cab version, or E8A, was manufactured from August, 1949 to December, 1953, and 449 were produced – 446 for U.S., and 3 for Canada. The booster version, or E8B, was manufactured from December, 1949 to January, 1954, and 46 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.

The noses of the E8 cab units had the appearance of a bulldog's snout when viewed from the side. Therefore, the E7, E8, and E9 units (as well as their four axle cousins, the F-unit series) have been nicknamed “bulldog nose” units. Earlier E-unit locomotives had a more slanted nose and were nicknamed “shovel nose” units or “slant nose” units.

It is estimated that 58 E8s have survived into preservation. [cite web| url=http://membrane.com/bigtoys/rail/units/e_units.html |title=Surviving E Units List |accessdate=2007-08-05 |publisher=Andrew Toppan] A notable example is the former NYC 4085, preserved at the New York Central Railroad Museum, which has the distinction of having being the lead locomotive on the final eastbound 20th Century Limited. [cite web| url=http://www.nycrrmuseum.org/tour.html |title=National New York Central Railroad Museum - Tour |publisher = nycrrmuseum.org |accessdate=2007-08-05] Another surviving E8 is operated by the Midland Railway, in Baldwin City, Kansas. Privately owned, this unit is ex-Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad E8A #652. It is used for special events. There is also NYC 4096. It is just restored from scrap in the past and is on display.

This locomotive also appeared in Chris Sawyer's Locomotion, introduced in 1956 and obsolete by 1980.

Original owners

References

* Marre, Louis A. (1982). "Rock Island Diesel Locomotives - 1930-1980". Railfax, Inc. ISBN 0-942192-00-1.
*
* Reich, Sy (1973). "Diesel Locomotive Rosters – The Railroad Magazine Series". Wayner Publications. No Library of Congress or ISBN.

pecific

External links

* [http://www.midland-ry.org/midland/mrr_eqp.html Midland Railway roster]
* [http://membrane.com/bigtoys/rail/units/e_units.html Andrew Toppan's list]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/galt-stn/cproster/topindex.htm CPR Diesel Locomotive Roster]