Both units were constructed for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and once served in commuter service between Chicago and Aurora. No. 100 was built in December 1949 as Burlington E8A No. 9938A. It was renumbered 9938 by Burlington Northern following the 1970 BN merger. In 1973, Morrison-Knudsen began an extensive rebuild program on BNs E-unit fleet, which had been sold to the West Suburban Mass Transit District in 1972. Following rebuilding they were leased back to BN for operation.
No. 9938, along with five BN E8As and 16 E9As, had their original 567B and 567C engines replaced with new 645EC engines. All the rebuilt locomotives were rated at 2,400 horsepower and designated E9s or E9Ms. Rebuilding included replacement of steam generators with Detroit Diesel HEP generators for the bi-level cars. In 1978, four more E8As were similarly rebuilt.
No. 9938 was rebuilt in 1973 and renumbered BN 9901. After retirement from commuter operation in 1992 it was sold to IC and numbered 100.
No. 101 was built by EMD in September 1953 as Burlington E8 N. 9977, and became Burlington Northern No. 9977 in 1970. Following rebuilding for commuter service in 1973 it was renumbered BN 9904, and was sold to the IC following retirement in 1992.
These are not the first former CB&Q/BN E units to join Iowa Pacific’s roster. The company also owns ex-BN Nos. 9906, 9915, 9921, and 9925. Other E units acquired by Iowa Pacific include five former Chicago & North Western E8s, an original Illinois Central E9B, and two ex-Pennsylvania Railroad E8s.
Beautiful looking locomotives.
Talk about the Mona Lisa, aren't they just gorgeous ? Hurray for Ed Ellis and the Iowa Pacific !
It is both wonderful and scary that Iowa Pacific has so much history in steel under one person's guidance.
Should Iowa Pacific go under or be sold or Mr. Ellis take up flying or fly fishing. a lot of passenger treasure could be scrapped, Just go back to the Burlington railroad's steam excursion star being cut up per the whim of a judge. Mr. Ellis lose some weight and get in shape ; we can't afford to lose you.
As far as CN goes after the Hurst trains slaughter the company as always shows it is just a wall street heartless bunch of business school tools. Don't even ask what I think of CN's former savior Mr. Hunter.] It is easy for a company to slash cost to make a short term gain. Something about babies with the bath water I think.
Mr. Geigner, CN still has a pair; if they didn't, they would just use freight units like BNSF does.
Why does IPH want them? Simple: Ed Ellis is a foamer at heart. I expect these to come out of whatever paint shop they go to in some version of Ed's beloved IC colors (but not what they are now).
These units are in good hands.
Amazing Iowa Pacific, can buy, but CN says surplus. ???
They are looking good. CN's loss is a gain for our US rail journeys, I hope.
The BAR units were actually E7s.
What's CN going to use now?
Maybe for passenger service between Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Actually, it would be kind of cool to see them restored to their CB&Q livery.
So happy to see iowa pacific was top bidder! Hope they keep I.C. Inspired paint , preferably brown and orange.
Mr. Canova, the NYSW E9s are former BN 9921 and 9915.
Beautiful engines. I hope IP takes good care of them.
what are they planning to do with these locos? I'm very curious!
Look. I'm shocked. Look at the shock on my face.
Great!
the bangor and Aroostook railroad which I worked on for 45 years had two of them which after the passenger trains stopped they turned them into freight locomotives.
I wonder what plans they have for them?
They also own two ex nysw e9 locomotives.
Great to see IP has the sense to acquire good power that also happens to be historically significant…makes me think back to WC buying all of those SD45 units as well as (my cowl unit favorites) the F45 and FP45 units and put them all to work hauling freight. Way to go IP!!!