EMD built 4247 GP 9'S between 1954 and 1963. (Production ceased in 1959

in the US and in 1963 in Canada)  The Southern Pacific  Railroad Operated

over 300 of these versatile locomotives.  When the year 1999 ended all

GP 9's were off the roster of the Union Pacific Railroad, the purchaser of

the Southern Pacific  Railroad,  During the last decade of SP  operations

 on the Exeter Branch Line, GP 9's were the motive power of choice.