EMD GP20D
Encyclopedia
The GP20D is a four-axle B-B switcher
built by MotivePower Industries and Electro-Motive Diesel. It is supplied with a Caterpillar
3516 (called a 16-170B20-T2 by EMD) V16
prime mover which develops a total power output of 2000 hp. To date, only 40 units have been produced by EMD, all of which were manufactured during June of 2000. The GP20D is also a hood unit
with lowered long and short hoods based on MotivePower Industries' earlier MP2000D locomotives. The changes between the MK2000D and the GP20D are primarily in the control electronics, making them easier to use than the older model.
Although the GP20D is marketed as a switcher, it has a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h), and is usually fitted with dynamic brakes
, making it suitable for road switcher
duties as well. The similar appearing EMD GP15D
does not have dynamic brakes.
Switcher
A switcher or shunter is a small railroad locomotive intended not for moving trains over long distances but rather for assembling trains ready for a road locomotive to take over, disassembling a train that has been...
built by MotivePower Industries and Electro-Motive Diesel. It is supplied with a Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
3516 (called a 16-170B20-T2 by EMD) V16
V16 engine
A V16 engine is a V engine with 16 cylinders. Engines of this number of cylinders are uncommon in automotive use.A V16 engine is perfectly balanced regardless of the V angle without requiring counter-rotating balancing shafts which are necessary to balance Straight-4 and odd number of cylinder...
prime mover which develops a total power output of 2000 hp. To date, only 40 units have been produced by EMD, all of which were manufactured during June of 2000. The GP20D is also a hood unit
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
with lowered long and short hoods based on MotivePower Industries' earlier MP2000D locomotives. The changes between the MK2000D and the GP20D are primarily in the control electronics, making them easier to use than the older model.
Although the GP20D is marketed as a switcher, it has a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h), and is usually fitted with dynamic brakes
Regenerative brake
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed...
, making it suitable for road switcher
Road switcher
A road switcher is a type of railroad locomotive used for delivering or picking up cars outside of a railroad yard. Since the road switcher must work some distance away from a yard, it needs to be able to operate at road speeds, it must also have high-visibility while it is switching, and it must...
duties as well. The similar appearing EMD GP15D
EMD GP15D
The GP15D is a four-axle B-B switcher built by MotivePower Industries and Electro-Motive Diesel. It is supplied with a Caterpillar 3512 V12 prime mover which develops a total power output of . To date, only 10 units have been produced by EMD, all of which were manufactured during June of 2000...
does not have dynamic brakes.
Original Buyers
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIT Group/Capital Finance | |
|
|
| Total | 40 | ||