Post by markm on Feb 26, 2021 14:26:01 GMT -5
The question has come up before about uses for the E8/9 locomotives other than passenger trains. Let me share a bit of recent reading. Despite mechanical limitations, UP used them both for fast mail and and freight in the 1960s. Generally speaking UP used them in these capacities in lower altitudes flat terrain operations.
Mail trains consisted of Mail storage and baggage cars (MTL 55300075,AZL 73604, 73608, 73628, 71604, 71628), RPO (AZL 73905, 73908), Express Boxcars (MTL 500581/2, 50000621/2, and other MTL cars they have identified as express) and a coach or two 53708). These trains were pulled an E9A and multiple B units or GP9s. After the post office ended their contracts with the railroads, these trains were reduced to a single E9 consisting of a couple of coaches and maybe a baggage car or a couple of express boxcars.
Freight trains were pulled by a 4-6 unit consist of an E9A, multiple B units and possibly ending in a reversed A unit.
The winter issue of the UPHS magazine, has lots more details than I can put here.
An interesting image is a UP RPO that substituted Harbor Grey for the Armour Yellow except for the letter board.
Mark
Mail trains consisted of Mail storage and baggage cars (MTL 55300075,AZL 73604, 73608, 73628, 71604, 71628), RPO (AZL 73905, 73908), Express Boxcars (MTL 500581/2, 50000621/2, and other MTL cars they have identified as express) and a coach or two 53708). These trains were pulled an E9A and multiple B units or GP9s. After the post office ended their contracts with the railroads, these trains were reduced to a single E9 consisting of a couple of coaches and maybe a baggage car or a couple of express boxcars.
Freight trains were pulled by a 4-6 unit consist of an E9A, multiple B units and possibly ending in a reversed A unit.
The winter issue of the UPHS magazine, has lots more details than I can put here.
An interesting image is a UP RPO that substituted Harbor Grey for the Armour Yellow except for the letter board.
Mark
