There has been much recent discussion about some various E units, so I thought I would post a question about a particular Amtrak unit. I have recently seen photos of a former Amtrak E-8A or E-9A numbered 672. Penn Central lettering is visible under the Amtrak paint. What is interesting about this unit is that the cab windows have been plated. No glass remains. Also, it does not appear to have any cooling fans or exhaust stacks on top of the unit. The exhaust stack for a steam generator is still present, however, as are the "winterization hatches".

What is the heritage of this unit, and did Amtrak turn some Es into pseudo-EBs or steam generator cars in the years before HEP?

Thanks,
Stephen

syfrettinc@bellsouth.net

Not sure about this unit, but some Amtrak E8 and E9a's were converted into 5000 gallon fuel tenders in the late '70s utilizing tanks from retired SDP40F's. I believe the idea was to extend the range of the then-new F40PHs on long-distance trains.

> There has been much recent discussion about
> some various E units, so I thought I would
> post a question about a particular Amtrak
> unit. I have recently seen photos of a
> former Amtrak E-8A or E-9A numbered 672.
> Penn Central lettering is visible under the
> Amtrak paint. What is interesting about this
> unit is that the cab windows have been
> plated. No glass remains. Also, it does not
> appear to have any cooling fans or exhaust
> stacks on top of the unit. The exhaust stack
> for a steam generator is still present,
> however, as are the "winterization
> hatches".

> What is the heritage of this unit, and did
> Amtrak turn some Es into pseudo-EBs or steam
> generator cars in the years before HEP?

> Thanks,
> Stephen


davew833@yahoo.com

Second Diesel Spotter's Guide Update confirms six ex-UP E9B's, originally #1916-1921, later 666-671, and five E9A's, 1922-1926/672-676, converted by ICG Paducah and Amtrak Hialeah, Fla. respectively into steam generator units to be handled behind HEP-only F40PH's when handling steam-equipped passenger stock. This was when steam-equipped SDP40F's were being banned from service and F40PH's had to fill in.

Only one E9A fuel tender was ever built, Amtrak 400 in 1978.

lner4472@bcpl.net

> Second Diesel Spotter's Guide Update
> confirms six ex-UP E9B's, originally
> #1916-1921, later 666-671, and five E9A's,
> 1922-1926/672-676, converted by ICG Paducah
> and Amtrak Hialeah, Fla. respectively into
> steam generator units to be handled behind
> HEP-only F40PH's when handling
> steam-equipped passenger stock. This was
> when steam-equipped SDP40F's were being
> banned from service and F40PH's had to fill
> in.

> Only one E9A fuel tender was ever built,
> Amtrak 400 in 1978.

Did the conversion include removal of the prime mover, generator , etc. and traction motors, or was all that left in place as ballast? Or did Amtrak replace all the mechanicals with concrete or steel ballast?

I guess the E-9A units came from various sources, not just UP. With the Penn Central lettering showing through, I would think the unit was of NYC or PRR heritage. Can anyone trace Amtrak #1922 back to its original owner?

Stephen


syfrettinc@bellsouth.net

>Can anyone trace Amtrak #1922 back to its original
owner?

Yes:

The unit is currently on the Waccamaw Coast Line (WCLR), and is stored at Waccamaw, SC It was built by EMD in 10/52 as an E8 with the builders number of 16781. It is ex AMT 672, ex AMT 318, ex PC 4312, nee PRR 5712A, and was rebuilt by Amtrak in 1977.

This information is from:

EMD E-unit Survivors
Revised 30 January 2002
Version 1.47

Compiled by: Andrew Toppan
Maintained by: James Kolanowski

If you have a photo of the unit in its current state, please post a link to it.



EMD E-unit Survivors
rrhistorian@hotmail.com