EMD GP60
Encyclopedia
An EMD GP60 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1994. The GP60 was EMD's first diesel that was classified as a third-generation locomotive. Hidden behind the electrical cabinet doors on the rear wall of the cab, the GP60 concealed a trio of microprocessors that monitored and managed a host of engine, cooling system and control functions. A hallmark of the 60 series and the defining detail of third-generation locomotives, on-board microprocessors replaced hundreds of wiring circuits, dozens of relays and all but one module card in what many observers consider to be one of the most significant technological advances since the dawn of dieseldom.
Power was provided by a 16-cylinder
710G3A
diesel engine, which could produce 3800 hp. This locomotive was 59 feet 9 inches long and featured a 3700 gallons (14,006 l) fuel tank. The GP60 series shared the same frame as the GP59
. Cabless units
of this locomotive model were also built; they were known as GP60B models, purchased exclusively by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
. Units built with a comfort/safety cab and a wide nose were designated GP60M and all purchased by the Santa Fe. A total of 294 GP60, 23 GP60B and 63 GP60M units were built by EMD. Due to the mainstream focus of railroads on big powerful six-axle units, the GP60 will most likely be the last new EMD "Geep".
Santa Fe followed its 40 standard-cab GP60s with an order for 63 custom GP60Ms. The first new units delivered in the road's revived "Super Fleet" Warbonnet Paint Scheme, and the only 60 series B-Bs built with North American cabs, Santa Fe GP60Ms 100-162 were delivered between May and September 1990.
23 GP60Bs were built, all for Santa Fe. Taking advantage of the cabless configuration, the dynamic brake equipment on the GP60B was moved forward and away from the prime mover. Santa Fe 325-347 were the only GP60Bs. Some of these remain in service with BNSF.
Rio Grande's first (and last) 60 series units were GP60s 3154-3156, built to SP specs in May 1990.
Southern Pacific purchased the first, last, and largest fleet of GP60s, ordering 195 units between December 1987 and Feb. 1994. Nearly half of the SP Fleet was lettered for subsidiary Cotton Belt, but an even 100 were pure Southern Pacific.
Two units built for the Texas Mexican Railway were returned to lessor Helm Financial after Kansas City Southern acquired the Tex Mex. The pair operated for a while in lease service on CSX, then were briefly on the roster of the Vermont Railway System as its 381-382 before that carrier deemed them unsuitable for its operations. The 381 was even repainted into VRS red and white before being returned to Helm in 2004.
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1994. The GP60 was EMD's first diesel that was classified as a third-generation locomotive. Hidden behind the electrical cabinet doors on the rear wall of the cab, the GP60 concealed a trio of microprocessors that monitored and managed a host of engine, cooling system and control functions. A hallmark of the 60 series and the defining detail of third-generation locomotives, on-board microprocessors replaced hundreds of wiring circuits, dozens of relays and all but one module card in what many observers consider to be one of the most significant technological advances since the dawn of dieseldom.
Power was provided by a 16-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
710G3A
EMD 710
The EMD 710 is a line of diesel engines built by Electro-Motive Diesel . The 710 series largely replaced the earlier EMD 645 series. The EMD 710 is a large two-stroke diesel engine that has a displacement per cylinder. Since its introduction, EMD has continually upgraded the 710G diesel engine...
diesel engine, which could produce 3800 hp. This locomotive was 59 feet 9 inches long and featured a 3700 gallons (14,006 l) fuel tank. The GP60 series shared the same frame as the GP59
EMD GP59
An EMD GP59 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive model built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1989. Power was provided by a 12-cylinder EMD 710G3A diesel engine, which could produce . This locomotive shared the same common frame with the EMD GP60, giving it an overall length of...
. Cabless units
B unit
A "B" unit, in railroad terminology, is a locomotive unit which does not have a driving cab, or crew compartment, and must therefore be controlled from another, coupled locomotive with a driving cab . The term booster unit is also used. The concept was largely confined to North America...
of this locomotive model were also built; they were known as GP60B models, purchased exclusively by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859...
. Units built with a comfort/safety cab and a wide nose were designated GP60M and all purchased by the Santa Fe. A total of 294 GP60, 23 GP60B and 63 GP60M units were built by EMD. Due to the mainstream focus of railroads on big powerful six-axle units, the GP60 will most likely be the last new EMD "Geep".
Railroads and Models
23 GP60Bs were built, all for Santa Fe. Taking advantage of the cabless configuration, the dynamic brake equipment on the GP60B was moved forward and away from the prime mover. Santa Fe 325-347 were the only GP60Bs. Some of these remain in service with BNSF.
Rio Grande's first (and last) 60 series units were GP60s 3154-3156, built to SP specs in May 1990.
Southern Pacific purchased the first, last, and largest fleet of GP60s, ordering 195 units between December 1987 and Feb. 1994. Nearly half of the SP Fleet was lettered for subsidiary Cotton Belt, but an even 100 were pure Southern Pacific.
Two units built for the Texas Mexican Railway were returned to lessor Helm Financial after Kansas City Southern acquired the Tex Mex. The pair operated for a while in lease service on CSX, then were briefly on the roster of the Vermont Railway System as its 381-382 before that carrier deemed them unsuitable for its operations. The 381 was even repainted into VRS red and white before being returned to Helm in 2004.
Original owners
| EMD GP60 orders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... |
40 | 4000-4039 | Now owned by BNSF Railway BNSF Railway The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary... & numbered BNSF 8700-8730, 8732-8739 (ATSF 4031 wrecked & retired) |
| U.S. Department of Energy United States Department of Energy The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material... (SROX Savannah River Site The Savannah River Site is a nuclear reservation in the United States in the state of South Carolina, located on land in Aiken, Allendale and Barnwell Counties adjacent to the Savannah River, southeast of Augusta, Georgia. The site was built during the 1950s to refine nuclear materials for... ) |
1 | 106 | Used at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina. |
| Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to Rio Grande or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, is a defunct U.S. railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870; however, served mainly as a transcontinental... |
3 | 3154-3156 | Now owned by Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... and renumbered UP 1900-1902 |
| EMDX | 3 | EMD 5-7 | GP60 Demonstrators. Now owned by CSX Transportation CSX Transportation CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles... and numbered CSXT 6897-6899. |
| Norfolk Southern | 50 | 7100-7150 | 7100 was originally 7117. The unit was involved in a fatal accident in which the conductor was killed, and after being repaired in July-1998, at the request of the victim's family that NS no longer use that number, was renumbered NS 7100. Units 7137, 7138, & 7143 were damaged when NS train 226 rear-ended another NS train. 7137 was destroyed. 7138 & 7143 suffered significant damage, but were sent to the NS Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA for possible repair. |
| Southern Pacific Railroad Southern Pacific Railroad The Southern Pacific Transportation Company , earlier Southern Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Company, and usually simply called the Southern Pacific or Espee, was an American railroad.... |
100 | 9600-9619, 9715-9794 | Now with Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... and renumbered UP 1902-1921, 2015-2097. |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway St. Louis Southwestern Railway The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern... |
95 | 9620-9714 | Now with Union Pacific Railroad Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... and renumbered UP 1984-1987, 1990-1993, 1997-2000, 2003-2014 |
| Texas Mexican Railway Texas Mexican Railway The Texas Mexican Railway is a class 1 railroad that operates as a subsidiary of Kansas City Southern Railway in Texas. It is often referred to as the Tex-Mex, or TexMex Railway.... |
2 | 869-870 | Now Helm Financial and renumbered HLCX 7700-7701. BNSF has bought HLCX 7700 and 7701 both have been renumbered HLCX 7700 is now BNSF 168 and HLCX 7701 is now BNSF 169. |
| EMD GP60B orders | |||
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... |
23 | 325-347 | Now with BNSF Railway BNSF Railway The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary... as BNSF 325-347 |
| EMD GP60M orders | |||
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... |
63 | 100-162 | Now with BNSF Railway BNSF Railway The BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary... as BNSF 100-162 (142, 144, 148, 152 wrecked & retired) |
External links
- Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD GP60, GP60M, GP60B, and GP59 Original Owners