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EMD E-unit Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: EMD E-Units: Diesel Locomotive History

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EMD E-Units: Diesel Locomotive History Study Guide

EMD E-Units: Overview and Purpose

EMD E-units were exclusively manufactured for freight train service.

Answer: False

Explanation: EMD E-units were specifically designed and manufactured for passenger streamliner trains, not freight service.

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The caption 'Southern Pacific EMD E7s on the Shasta Daylight in 1949' refers to a freight train.

Answer: False

Explanation: The caption explicitly mentions the 'Shasta Daylight,' which was a passenger train service, indicating the EMD E7s were operating in passenger service at that time.

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What was the primary function of the EMD E-units?

Answer: Pulling passenger streamliner trains.

Explanation: EMD E-units were specifically designed and manufactured to serve as the primary motive power for passenger streamliner trains, marking a significant transition in rail transportation.

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Evolution of E-Unit Models and Production

EMC B-B locomotives built in 1935 were direct predecessors to the EMD E-units.

Answer: True

Explanation: The EMC 1800 hp B-B locomotives constructed in 1935, featuring similar power configurations but distinct carbody styles and trucks, are considered direct predecessors to the EMD E-unit series.

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The EMD E7 model was the best-selling E-unit, with 428 A units and 82 B units produced.

Answer: True

Explanation: The EMD E7, introduced in 1945, achieved the highest production numbers within the E-unit series, with 428 A units and 82 B units manufactured, making it the best-selling model.

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The 'Notes' section in the EMD E-unit table provides details on engine specifications.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Notes' section typically details specific railroad orders and delivery configurations for E-unit models, rather than providing technical engine specifications.

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EMD E-units were produced continuously from 1937 until 1963.

Answer: True

Explanation: The production run for EMD E-units spanned a significant period, commencing in May 1937 and concluding in December 1963, representing a continuous manufacturing effort over 26 years.

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A total of 1,171 EMD E-unit A units were produced.

Answer: True

Explanation: Across all EMD E-unit models, a total of 1,171 cab-equipped 'A units' were manufactured.

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Which EMD E-unit model became the best seller in the series?

Answer: E7

Explanation: The EMD E7 model, introduced in 1945, achieved the highest production figures and became the most successful and best-selling unit in the E-unit series.

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What information is typically found in the 'Notes' section related to the EMD E-unit models table?

Answer: Specific railroads that ordered the models and delivery configurations.

Explanation: The 'Notes' section typically provides context on customer orders, specifying which railroads purchased particular E-unit models and in what configurations (e.g., number of A/B units).

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What was the total number of EMD E-units produced, including both A and B units?

Answer: 1,425

Explanation: Across all models, EMD manufactured a total of 1,425 E-units, comprising 1,171 'A units' and 254 'B units'.

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Which EMD E-unit model was the most produced?

Answer: E7

Explanation: The EMD E7 model holds the distinction of being the most produced E-unit, with 428 A units and 82 B units manufactured.

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Propulsion Systems: Engines and Horsepower

The 'E' designation in EMD E-units originally referred to the locomotive's engine type.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'E' designation originally signified the locomotive's nominal horsepower rating, specifically eighteen hundred horsepower (1800 hp), not the engine type.

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The earliest EMD E-unit models (EA/EB through E2) used the EMD 567 series engine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The earliest EMD E-unit models, such as the EA/EB, E1, and E2, were powered by twin Winton 201-A V-12 engines, not the later EMD 567 series.

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The Winton 201-A engine was perfectly suited for the sustained full-throttle demands of railroad service.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Winton 201-A engine, while innovative, was not ideally suited for the sustained full-throttle operation characteristic of railroad service, leading to reliability issues. The EMD 567 series was developed to address these limitations.

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The EMD 567 series engine, introduced with the E3 model, was specifically designed for locomotive applications.

Answer: True

Explanation: The EMD 567 series engine, first utilized in the E3 model, represented a significant advancement as it was purpose-built by EMD for locomotive applications, offering superior reliability and performance compared to earlier engines like the Winton 201-A.

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The EMD 567 engine was named after its total displacement in cubic inches.

Answer: False

Explanation: The EMD 567 engine was named after its displacement per cylinder, which was 567 cubic inches, not its total displacement.

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The 12V-567 engine used in E3-E6 models produced 1,800 horsepower per engine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 12V-567 engine used in the E3 through E6 models was rated at 1,000 horsepower per engine, not 1,800.

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The EMD E8 models featured an engine that produced 1,125 horsepower per engine.

Answer: True

Explanation: The EMD E8 models utilized the 12V-567B engine, which was rated at 1,125 horsepower per engine.

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The EMD E9 models had a lower horsepower output than the E8 models.

Answer: False

Explanation: The EMD E9 models featured an upgraded engine (12V-567C) producing 1,200 horsepower per engine, resulting in a total of 2,400 horsepower per unit, which was higher than the 2,250 horsepower of the E8 models.

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The EMD 567 engine was a four-stroke diesel engine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The EMD 567 engine series was a two-stroke diesel engine, characterized by its V-type configuration and mechanical aspiration.

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What did the 'E' in the EMD E-unit designation originally signify?

Answer: Eighteen hundred horsepower (1800 hp)

Explanation: The 'E' designation in EMD E-units historically represented the nominal horsepower rating of the earliest models, which was 1,800 horsepower (1800 hp).

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Which of the following was a key mechanical difference between the EMC TA model and the EMD E-units?

Answer: The TA was single-engined producing 1,200 hp, while E-units were twin-engined.

Explanation: A significant mechanical distinction was that the EMC TA was a single-engined locomotive producing 1,200 hp, whereas the EMD E-units featured a twin-engine setup for greater power and redundancy.

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Which engines powered the earliest EMD E-unit models like the EA/EB and E1?

Answer: Winton 201-A V-12 engines

Explanation: The initial EMD E-unit models, including the EA/EB and E1, were powered by twin Winton 201-A V-12 engines, each producing 900 horsepower.

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What was a major drawback of the Winton 201-A engine in railroad applications?

Answer: It was not well-suited for sustained full-throttle operation.

Explanation: A significant limitation of the Winton 201-A engine was its unsuitability for the continuous, high-load demands of railroad service, which often required sustained full-throttle operation.

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The EMD 567 engine series, introduced in the E3 model, was significant because it:

Answer: Was specifically designed for locomotives and offered improved reliability.

Explanation: The EMD 567 engine series marked a pivotal development as it was purpose-built for locomotive applications, providing substantially improved reliability and durability over its predecessors.

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How was the EMD 567 engine named?

Answer: According to its displacement of 567 cubic inches per cylinder

Explanation: The EMD 567 engine received its designation from the displacement of 567 cubic inches per cylinder.

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What was the horsepower rating per engine for the 12V-567B used in the EMD E8 models?

Answer: 1,125 hp

Explanation: The 12V-567B engine, employed in the EMD E8 locomotives, was rated at 1,125 horsepower per engine.

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What was the total horsepower output of an EMD E8 locomotive unit?

Answer: 2,250 hp

Explanation: Each EMD E8 locomotive unit, powered by two 12V-567B engines, had a total output of 2,250 horsepower (1,125 hp per engine).

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Which of the following EMD E-unit models had the highest horsepower rating per unit?

Answer: E9 (1,200 hp per engine)

Explanation: The EMD E9 models, equipped with the 12V-567C engine rated at 1,200 hp per engine, possessed the highest horsepower output per unit among the listed E-unit models.

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Locomotive Configuration and Operation

The twin-engine configuration in EMD E-units was primarily intended to increase maximum speed.

Answer: False

Explanation: While twin engines contributed to overall power, their primary operational advantage was ensuring reliability through redundancy. If one engine failed, the other could maintain motive power, preventing a complete service interruption, rather than solely increasing maximum speed.

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An 'A unit' in the EMD E-unit series was a cabless booster unit.

Answer: False

Explanation: An 'A unit' in the EMD E-unit series was the lead unit, equipped with a cab for the crew. 'B units' were the cabless booster units designed for remote operation.

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Multiple EMD E-unit locomotives in a consist were controlled independently by separate crews.

Answer: False

Explanation: Multiple EMD E-unit locomotives operating together in a consist were controlled synchronously by the crew in the lead 'A unit' via connecting cables, not independently.

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Railroads commonly purchased EMD E-units in 'AA' configurations, meaning two A units coupled together.

Answer: False

Explanation: While 'AA' configurations existed, railroads more commonly purchased EMD E-units in 'ABA' (two A units with a B unit between) or 'ABB' (one A unit with two B units) configurations to provide flexibility and operational efficiency.

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The ABA configuration allowed trains to reverse direction without needing to turn the locomotive consist.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'ABA' configuration, featuring a cab-equipped 'A unit' at each end of a cabless 'B unit', provided operational flexibility by allowing the train to reverse direction without the logistical challenge of turning the entire locomotive consist.

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All EMD E-units were equipped with standard B-B trucks.

Answer: False

Explanation: EMD E-units were equipped with specialized Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks, not standard B-B trucks. This configuration featured two powered outer axles and an unpowered center axle for load distribution.

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The center axle on Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks was equipped with traction motors.

Answer: False

Explanation: The center axle on the Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks was unpowered and served primarily a load-bearing and stability function, while traction motors were located on the outer axles.

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Dynamic braking was a standard feature on all EMD E-unit models.

Answer: False

Explanation: Dynamic braking was introduced as an optional feature on later EMD E-unit models, such as the E8, rather than being a standard feature across all models.

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The center axle on the Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks was primarily for load-bearing and stability.

Answer: True

Explanation: The unpowered center axle on the Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks served a crucial role in distributing the locomotive's weight and enhancing stability, without being equipped with traction motors.

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What was the primary advantage of the twin-engine setup in EMD E-units?

Answer: It ensured redundancy; one engine could fail without stopping the train.

Explanation: The twin-engine configuration provided crucial operational redundancy, ensuring that the train could continue service, albeit at reduced speed, even if one engine experienced a failure.

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In an EMD E-unit consist, what distinguished an 'A unit' from a 'B unit'?

Answer: A units were lead units with a cab; B units were cabless booster units.

Explanation: 'A units' served as the lead locomotives and were equipped with a crew cab for operation, while 'B units' were cabless booster units designed to be controlled remotely.

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How did the crew in the lead 'A unit' control multiple EMD E-units operating together in a train consist?

Answer: Using cables linking the units for synchronized operation.

Explanation: Multiple EMD E-units within a consist were operated in unison through a system of cables that transmitted control signals from the lead 'A unit' to the trailing locomotives.

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What was a significant operational benefit of the 'ABA' configuration for EMD E-units?

Answer: It eliminated the need to turn the locomotive consist to change direction.

Explanation: The 'ABA' configuration, with a cab-equipped 'A unit' at each end, provided the operational advantage of reversing direction without requiring the locomotive consist to be turned.

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What type of truck arrangement was standard on EMD E-units?

Answer: A1A-A1A

Explanation: EMD E-units were consistently equipped with the Blomberg A1A-A1A truck configuration, designed specifically for passenger locomotive service.

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What was the primary purpose of the unpowered center axle on the Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks?

Answer: To help support the locomotive's weight and improve stability.

Explanation: The unpowered center axle on the Blomberg A1A-A1A trucks was integral to distributing the locomotive's weight and enhancing its stability on the rails.

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Design and Aesthetics

The EMC TA model is considered part of the EMD E-unit series due to its similar carbody styling.

Answer: False

Explanation: Although the EMC TA shared carbody styling elements with the E-units, it was mechanically distinct, being a single-engined 1,200 hp unit with B-B trucks, unlike the twin-engined E-units with A1A-A1A trucks. Therefore, it is not classified as part of the E-unit series.

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The EMD E5 units were clad in stainless steel to match the Burlington Zephyr trains.

Answer: True

Explanation: The EMD E5 models were uniquely clad in stainless steel with fluted sides, specifically designed to complement the aesthetic of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad's Zephyr streamliner trains.

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The side windows on EMD E7 units were typically round portholes.

Answer: False

Explanation: While later E-units (E8-E9) featured rounded porthole-style windows, the EMD E7 units typically had square side windows.

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Which EMD E-unit model featured a distinctive stainless steel carbody designed to match the Burlington Zephyr trains?

Answer: E5

Explanation: The EMD E5 model was uniquely constructed with a stainless steel carbody, featuring fluted sides, to aesthetically complement the Burlington Railroad's iconic Zephyr streamliner trains.

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The 'bulldog nose' headlight style was first introduced on which EMD E-unit model?

Answer: E2

Explanation: The distinctive 'bulldog nose' headlight configuration, characterized by its bulbous shape, was first implemented on the EMD E2 model.

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The EMD E5 units were specifically built for which railroad?

Answer: Chicago, Burlington and Quincy

Explanation: The EMD E5 locomotives, notable for their stainless steel construction, were exclusively built for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

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How did the side window design evolve on EMD E-units from the E1 to the E9 models?

Answer: They evolved from square (E1) to round (E2), then square again (E3-E7), and finally rounded portholes (E8-E9).

Explanation: The side window design underwent several changes: square on E1, round on E2, square on E3-E7, and rounded portholes on E8-E9, reflecting evolving aesthetic and functional considerations.

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Historical Impact and Preservation

The 'More Footnotes Needed' template suggests the article lacks sufficient inline citations.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'More Footnotes Needed' template is a standard indicator that an article requires additional inline citations to substantiate its factual claims and improve its overall reliability.

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The EMD E5 locomotive number 9911A is preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy (CB&Q) EMD E5 locomotive, number 9911A, is indeed preserved and operational at the Illinois Railway Museum.

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EMD E-units helped establish diesel power's viability for large passenger services.

Answer: True

Explanation: Through their standardized production and demonstrated reliability in hauling passenger streamliners, EMD E-units were instrumental in proving the viability and superiority of diesel power over steam for large-scale passenger operations.

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The image caption 'CB&Q 9911A, an EMD E5...' indicates that this locomotive is:

Answer: Operational and preserved at a museum.

Explanation: The caption specifies that CB&Q 9911A, an EMD E5, was operating at the Illinois Railway Museum, indicating it is preserved and maintained in operational condition.

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What does the 'navbox' template usually provide in a Wikipedia article about locomotives?

Answer: Links to related articles, such as other locomotive models or categories.

Explanation: A 'navbox' template serves as a navigational aid, consolidating links to related articles, categories, and other relevant content within the same subject area, facilitating further exploration.

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How did the EMD E-units contribute to the shift from steam to diesel power in passenger service?

Answer: Their standardized production proved diesel power was reliable and capable for large passenger trains.

Explanation: The consistent performance and widespread adoption of standardized EMD E-units demonstrated the reliability and capability of diesel power for heavy passenger service, significantly accelerating the transition away from steam locomotives.

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What does the presence of the 'More Footnotes Needed' template signify?

Answer: The article needs more inline citations to verify specific claims.

Explanation: The 'More Footnotes Needed' template indicates a deficiency in inline citations, signaling that specific assertions within the article require verifiable sources to support their accuracy.

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