‘mainly’ used for back in the '50s and 60s. Switcher service? Mainline work?
Jarrell
I might be wrong, but I though GP was general purpose. I think a little bit of everything. Switcher, Road Switcher, Way Freight–Therese one around here that teams up with a pair of SW1500s for coal drag duty.
Both. GP = General Purpose.
Bob Boudreau
GP - General Purpose. The GP9 is a 1750 hp locomotive built from 1954 - 1958. These were used in mainline road service(both freight & passenger). In later years they also were used as ‘lead’ or ‘trimmer’ engines in yards(freight cars got heavier).
Many of these ‘first generation’ GP’s became fodder for the many ‘rebuild’ programs of the 70’s. Very few are still in service by ‘Class 1’ operators, but they are still operating on regionals, shortlines, and industrial/switching operations.
Jim Bernier
Up here in Canada, GP9’s were built until 1963, with the last unit built going to Algoma Central in 1963 and both Class 1’s (CN and CP) still use them (On CN, the GP9rm’s have outlasted many of their replacements). Of course, Canada also has the last original F unit owner still using F’s in revenue service (Ontario Northland)
They were originally intended as branchline road/switcher locomotives (As opposed to the F units, which were intended as mainline road locomotives, but GP9’s saw a fair bit of mainline service early in their careers and are typically now used as originally intended (For switching and branchline use).
I have talked to some people here in Alabama and there is still one in use in Gasden. After a good wash job it turned up SP.
C&O Used em’ for everything and usually ran them until the wheels fell off.
[:)]
Anything from a fas freight to a switch run.
Stick a small boiler in the tall short hood for steam heat and you have a passenger ugly duckling. A true General Purpose loco motive that switched the yard, pushed cars over the hump, switched industries and branch lines plus hauled commuters and varni***hat nailed the coffin shut on staem locomotives.
The PRR had app.365 GP-9’s and used them as mainline freight road engines. A GP-9 was the equivalent inside of an F-9 so they were interchangeable. They used the GP-7’s for local work and never mixed them. The GP-7 & 9 will probably be around for ever. They are rugged, simple and cheap to maintain and troubleshoot. GP stnads for General Purpose so anything goes with them including passenger trains if equipped with a boiler in the short hood. There are pictures of 6 and larger consists of PRR GP-9’s pulling coal on the N&W.
The NYC had 175 GP-9s and used them for everything. Several were fitted with steam generators for passenger service together with similarly equipped GP-7s.
GP Verison 9. Used them for everything, wouldn’t be Uncommon to see a GP7/9 pulling an Exec train, My Freelance uses GP7s for the Exec train.
One ugly locomotive.
[:)]
The chop-noses were cool, but they weren’t factory.
GP9’s… what can i say, they are some of the best locomotives built, use them for everything, freights, yard york, local runs, passenger runs. And the parts suply is for them is still high, making them available to run on todays, shortlines, and up here in Canada even on the Class 1’s.
Jim, what is a ‘lead’ or ‘trimmer’ engine?
Jarrell
Thanks for the answer and here’s another question. What is ‘revenue’ service?
Jarrell
Can you tell from the outside if a GP9 was fitted with a boiler?
Jarrell
Boy, it’s depressing. I read a thread title like this and I just feel ancient ![swg]
Usually if they have a steam boiler for passenger service. The water tanks will sit where the brake tanks were. This is called torpedo tube, because the brake tanks have to be moved to the roof.
Also you can tell by the little round stack and safety popoff sticking above the roof line on the short hood. When going full blast ( back in the olden days when [passenger cars were steam heated - yes pup, before HEP!) you could often see a wisp of steam there.