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EMD's "E5": Burlington's Stainless-Steel Beauties

Last revised: August 27, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The E5 was a variant of Electro-Motive's passenger line produced specifically for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy or its subsidiaries.

Internally, it was virtually identical to every other E model save for its relatively new GM prime mover. Externally, the only significant change from previous designs then cataloged was the addition of fluted stainless steel, a trademark of both the Burlington's passenger trains and the Budd Company. 

Photos

60923942847365u1y8206289082709.jpgChicago, Burlington & Quincy (Colorado & Southern) E5A #9950-A, named the "Silver Racer" and one of the lead units for the "Texas Zephyr," is seen here at Dallas Union Station during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

Internally, the E5 was virtually identical to its future cousin, the E6.  It carried two 567 prime movers capable of a combined 2,000 horsepower and A1A-A1A trucks. 

It featured a few ornamental differences, most notably fluted stainless steel to match the Budd Company equipment.  Today, #9911A (the Silver Pilot) is preserved and operable at the Illinois Railway Museum, using an original consist of equipment.

The E5 began production in early 1940. It was ordered by the CB&Q to power the railroad's new Zephyr passenger train fleet which included names like the Afternoon Zephyr, Morning Zephyr, Nebraska Zephyr, Ak-Sar-Ben Zephyr, and the American Royal Zephyr

Per Electro-Motive's common practice for passenger models, the E5 used an A1A-A1A truck setup (meaning the center axle was unpowered) and featured two GM model 567 prime movers; combined these could produce 2,000 horsepower. 

Additionally, using four of GM's standard model D7 traction motors the E5 offered 56,500 pounds of starting tractive effort and 31,000 pounds continuous.

Once again, EMC gave the E5 a "slant nose" design, commonly used on the E3 and E4, which disappeared entirely following the E6 as both E and F models used the classic "bulldog" design.

Fort Worth & Denver (Burlington) E5B #9980-B, named the "Silver Warrior." American-Rails.com collection.

Production of the EMC E5 ran through mid-1941 and although the design was manufactured for over a year only 11 E5As and 5 E5Bs were built.

The CB&Q first began receiving its locomotives in February and March of 1940 when E5A's 9910A-9912A, 9909, and Fort Worth & Denver City 9980A arrived along with E5Bs 9910B-9912B, Colorado & Southern 9950B, and Fort Worth & Denver City 9980B.

87000123716241g461h28951002889.jpgBurlington (Colorado & Southern) E5A #9954 (built as CB&Q #9913, named the "Silver Wings"), and other power, layover at Colorado Springs, Colorado, circa 1960. American-Rails.com collection.

That concluded its order of B units but another A arrived in October of that year, CB&Q 9913. Finally, in June of 1941 just months before the United State entered World War II A units 9914A, 9914B, 9915A, and 9915B arrived completing the order.

The Burlington apparently really liked their E5s as they remained in service all of the way through the 1960s although some units were retired prior to that time.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Entered Production2/1940 (Chicago, Burlington & Quincy #9910-A)
Years Produced2/1940 - 6/1941
Engine567 (2)
Engine BuilderGM
Horsepower2000
RPM800
Cylinders12
Length71' 1 ¼"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)13' 11"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Roof Horn)14' 0"
Width10' 7"
Weight315,000 Lbs (A Units): 290,000 Lbs (B Units)
Fuel Capacity1,200 Gallons
Air CompressorGardner-Denver
Air Compressor ModelWBO
Air Brake ManufacturerWestinghouse
Air Brake ScheduleHSC
TrucksA1A
Truck TypeBlomberg
Truck Wheelbase14' 1"
Wheel Size36"
Steam Generator ManufacturerVapor-Clarkson
Steam Generator Capacity1200 Lbs/Hr
Traction MotorsD7 (4), GM
Primary GeneratorD4 (2), GM
Auxiliary GeneratorDelco
MU (Multiple-Unit)Yes
Dynamic BrakesNo
Gear Ratio52:15
Tractive Effort (Starting)56,500 Lbs at 25%
Tractive Effort (Continuous)31,000 Lbs at 11 mph
Top Speed116 mph

Production Roster

E5A

Total Built = 11

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date Quantity
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy9910A-9912A, 9909967-970E2782/1940-3/19404
Colorado & Southern9950A1035E2783/19401
Fort Worth & Denver City9980A1036E2783/19401
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy99131133E33110/19401
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy9914A-9915A, 9914B-9915B1301-1304E3776/19414

E5B

Total Built = 5

Owner Road Number Serial Number Order Number Completion Date Quantity
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy9910B-9912B971-973E2792/1940-3/19403
Colorado & Southern9950B1037E2793/19401
Fort Worth & Denver City9980B1038E2793/19401

In many ways, the E5 was simply a variant design as the company had already began production on the E6 in 1939 that coincided with the release of its publicly successful FT model used in freight service.

The E6 sold more than 100 A an B units and the following E7 and E8 designs outshopped more than 1,000 altogether.

Locomotive Names

"A" Units

(Cabs)

Road Number Name Date Built Disposition
9909 (CB&Q)Silver Bullet3/1940Colorado & Southern 9953 (11/9/1955), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9910-A (CB&Q)Silver Speed2/1940Colorado & Southern 9951-A (7/14/1955), EMD Trade-In (10/31/1967)
9911-A (CB&Q)Silver Pilot2/1940Fort Worth & Denver #9982-A (6/1/1955), Colorado & Southern 9952-A (10/1/1955), Illinois Railway Museum
9912-A (CB&Q)Silver Meteor3/1940GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9913 (CB&Q)Silver Wings10/1940Colorado & Southern 9954 (4/25/1957), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9914-A (CB&Q)Silver Arrow6/1941Colorado & Southern 9955 (9/20/1961), EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9914-B (CB&Q)Silver Swift6/1941Wrecked (8/22/1960)
9915-A (CB&Q)Silver Carrier6/1941Wrecked (4/22/1963), GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9915-B (CB&Q)Silver Clipper6/1941GE Trade-In (3/1965)
9950-A (C&S)Silver Racer3/1940EMD Trade-In (3/15/1968)
9980-A (FW&D)Silver Chief3/1940Scrapped

"B" Units

(Cabless)

Road Number Name Date Built Disposition
9910-B (CB&Q)Silver Power2/1940Scrapped
9911-B (CB&Q)Silver Mate3/1940Scrapped
9912-B (CB&Q)Silver Comet3/1940Scrapped
9914-B (CB&Q)Silver Swift3/1940Scrapped
9950-B (C&S)Silver Steed3/1940Trade-In (10/1967)
9980-B (FW&D)Silver Warrior3/1940Scrapped

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy E5A #9980-A, named the "Silver Chief," has the "Texas Zephyr" in Fort Worth, Texas during the 1950s. American-Rails.com collection.

By the time the war had ended EMD was fully entrenched as the leader of the diesel locomotive market pulling away from the American Locomotive Company whose beautiful but mechanically trouble-prone PA fell behind the E series in sales and interest.

General Motors' subsidiary would soon begin to dominate the industry by the 1950s releasing models like the GP7 and GP9. 

In any event, as mentioned above one of these beautiful locomotives was preserved, #9911A, which resides at the Illinois Railway Museum. It is occasionally operates and has even been featured in movies (notably "A League of Their Own" and "Flags of Our Fathers").

Sources

  • Hayden, Bob. Diesel Locomotives: Cyclopedia, Volume 2 (Model Railroader). Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1980.
  • Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.
  • Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.
  • Solomon, Brian.  EMD Locomotives.  Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.
  • Solomon, Brian.  Electro-Motive E-Units and F-Units: The Illustrated History of North America's Favorite Locomotives.  Minneapolis:  Voyageur Press, 2011.

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