Built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between January 1954 and August 1963, the GP9 general purpose road switcher is powered by the EMD 567C series 16 cylinder, two-stroke diesel prime mover unit producing 1,750hp. This series of prime movers has proven extremely reliable and withstood the rigors of time. Today, a large number of the engines are still in service with short line railroads and industrial operators as well as several in preservation.