Probably because by that time you couldn't buy a new GP7. The 7's were discontinued in the middle of 1954. GP9's were made available in January of the same year. The Erie was completely dieselized in 1953 so they had to buy what diesels were available at the time.
Todd K Stearns
Railroad Forums
Erie's GP-9's
- Discussion relating to the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Erie, and the resulting 1960 merger creating the Erie Lackawanna. Visit the Erie Lackawanna Historical Society at http://www.erielackhs.org/.
Moderator: blockline4180
Please visit the Central NY Forum at Railfan.Net at:
http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=CNY
I help moderate it and there is no flaming, belittling or overbearing moderating. It's also VERY easy to post photos there.
http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=CNY
I help moderate it and there is no flaming, belittling or overbearing moderating. It's also VERY easy to post photos there.
Possibly there was a need for suitable mainline power to relieve tired F units going in for major shopping. The Erie's GP9s were equipped with dynamic brakes, so would be compatible with F units in mainline service.
Ed in Kentucky
Ed in Kentucky
COTTON BELT: RUNS LIKE A BLUE STREAK
Erie GP9 1263 made it to Conrail - here it shares Bison Yard switching duties with ex-NKP RS11 #2565 a few weeks after C-Day.