GE U26C
Encyclopedia
The GE U26C diesel locomotive
model was introduced by GE Transportation Systems
in 1971. All examples of this model are six axle units, and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification
) or Co'Co' (UIC classification
).
The U26C locomotives were built for metre gauge
networks in Brazil and Kenya, and Cape gauge
networks in New Zealand and South Africa. All had a power output of 2050 kW as built, except the locomotives delivered new to Kenya, which were derated to 1950 kW. Some of the New Zealand units were later uprated in power output, and four of the Brazilian units were later regauged to broad gauge
.
Another more powerful version, license-built by Krupp, and referred to as a GE U30C model, was delivered to the Cape gauge TAZARA Railway, which links Tanzania with Zambia.
configuration of North American diesel locomotives, and a road switcher
design.
The turbocharged
V12 four-stroke diesel engine
, generator and auxiliary equipment are easily accessible under a long hood equally as high as, but narrower than, the single cab
, which is mounted at one end. This arrangement allows the driver to see in both directions. However, in line service the leading locomotive is usually operated with the cab end ahead.
The six electric traction motors are mounted in the two bogies; each drives one axle. Between the bogies is the fuel tank. The U26Cs are capable of multiple-unit train control
operation. In New Zealand and South Africa, trains operated by four or more locomotives are not uncommon.
Other technical data of the locomotives varies depending on the build year and construction, but the type of motor fitted is always the GE 7FDL-12.
Four of these locomotives (Nos. 401, 402, 404 and 406) were taken over in 1998 by Ferronorte and regauged to broad gauge (1600 mm).
Since 2006 these locomotives have been owned by América Latina Logística (ALL).
In 1998, five of the class 93 locomotives were leased to Magadi Rail, a subsidiary of the Magadi Soda Company
. They were used to operate soda ash trains from Magadi
along the 150 km (93.2 mi) branch line to Konza
, which is also leased to Magadi Rail. In 2007, they were returned to their owner.
As at 2011, all members of class 93 and 94 formed part of the fleet of the Rift Valley Railways Consortium
, which currently manages the parastatal railways of Kenya and Uganda. They were all still serviceable and suitable for rehabilitation and upgrading.
Another group of U26Cs, known as class 95, consisted of eleven South African Class 34-400
units, converted to metre gauge. They were leased from Spoornet
for a number of years until April 2002, when they were returned to South Africa.
Over time, all locomotives in the DX class received minor modifications. These included the fitting of modified cabs
with one piece windshields. Other changes involved the electronics and the couplings
.
Some DXs have been further modified, to operate through the over 8.5 km (5.3 mi) long and steeply graded Otira Tunnel
on the South Island. The air intakes of these locomotives were remounted outside the locomotive body, and fitted with a downward heading intake scoop, to prevent them from drawing in exhaust gases accumulating at the tunnel's ceiling. The image at the top right of this article is of locomotives belonging to this variant, known as the DXC sub class.
One member of the DX class was much more substantially rebuilt in 1993, and another in 2006. The rebuilt locomotives were redesignated as the DXR class (with the R signifying rebuilt). Amongst other things, they were fitted with a new engine, and an enlarged, modernised cab. However, the rebuilding program was not pursued any further.
A single DX was retired in the 1970s following an accident; as at 2010, the remaining 48, including the two DXRs, were still in operation. All of them are now renumbered, and reclassified as DXB (North Island), DXC, or DXR.
(125 units, 1971–73), 34-400
(100 units, 1973) and 34-900
(30 units, 1979–80). As such, their subclassifications were mixed in with EMD GT26MC
model locomotives, which are of similar weight and performance, and were subclassified as 34-200
, 34-600
, 34-800
and 37-000
. The SAR U26C locomotives have been used to haul both goods and passenger trains, including the Blue Train
.
Another 44 units of the U26C model were delivered in 1971–73 to the ISCOR works (now Mittal Steel South Africa) as industrial locomotives. Thirty nine of these locomotives were later taken over by Spoornet, and incorporated into SAR class 34 as road numbers 34-501 to 34-539 (class 34-500
or "34-400 ex ISCOR"). Two additional U26Cs went to the Douglas Colliery in 1977. Except for the latter two locomotives, and the first three SAR units, all of the South African U26Cs were built under license at Dorbyl Transport Products.
One unusual operation regularly performed by South African U26Cs is the haulage of Orex trains on the Sishen-Saldanha Bay iron ore line. On this line, which has been electrified at 50kV since 1978, U26C locomotives, and especially the former ISCOR machines, daily work in multiple unit operation with electric locomotives of the much more powerful and heavier class 9E
or class 15E
, but should be replaced in late 2011 by new Class 43-000
diesel-electric locomotives. In some cases, trains on this line have also been hauled exclusively by diesel locomotives, as was the case before electrification.
In 1982, Krupp supplied 22 Cape gauge locomotives to the TAZARA. These units correspond with the U26C, but their power output was increased to about 2200 kW. They are therefore referred to as U30C models, although this designation had been assigned initially to a series of standard gauge locomotives built for US railroads between 1966 and 1976 (see GE U30C
).
The Tazara U30Cs were acquired to supplement the ageing and underpowered Chinese made locomotives that had been used on the Tazara Railway since its opening in 1976.
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...
model was introduced by GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
in 1971. All examples of this model are six axle units, and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification
AAR wheel arrangement
The AAR wheel arrangement system is a method of classifying locomotive wheel arrangements that was developed by the Association of American Railroads. It is essentially a simplification of the European UIC classification, and it is widely used in North America to describe diesel and electric...
) or Co'Co' (UIC classification
UIC classification
The UIC classification of locomotive axle arrangements describes the wheel arrangement of locomotives, multiple units and trams. It is set out in the International Union of Railways "Leaflet 650 - Standard designation of axle arrangement on locomotives and multiple-unit sets". It is used in much...
).
The U26C locomotives were built for metre gauge
Metre gauge
Metre gauge refers to narrow gauge railways and tramways with a track gauge of . In some African, American and Asian countries it is the main gauge. In Europe it has been used for local railways in France, Germany, and Belgium, most of which were closed down in mid 20th century. Only in Switzerland...
networks in Brazil and Kenya, and Cape gauge
Cape gauge
Cape gauge is a track gauge of between the inside of the rail heads and is classified as narrow gauge. It has installations of around .The gauge was first used by Norwegian engineer Carl Abraham Pihl and the first line was opened in 1862.- Nomenclature :...
networks in New Zealand and South Africa. All had a power output of 2050 kW as built, except the locomotives delivered new to Kenya, which were derated to 1950 kW. Some of the New Zealand units were later uprated in power output, and four of the Brazilian units were later regauged to broad gauge
Broad gauge
Broad-gauge railways use a track gauge greater than the standard gauge of .- List :For list see: List of broad gauges, by gauge and country- History :...
.
Another more powerful version, license-built by Krupp, and referred to as a GE U30C model, was delivered to the Cape gauge TAZARA Railway, which links Tanzania with Zambia.
Technical details
The U26Cs have the typical hood unitHood 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...
configuration of North American diesel locomotives, and a 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...
design.
The turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
V12 four-stroke diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, generator and auxiliary equipment are easily accessible under a long hood equally as high as, but narrower than, the single cab
Cab (locomotive)
The cab, crew compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive is the part of the locomotive housing the train driver or engineer, the fireman or driver's assistant , and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation....
, which is mounted at one end. This arrangement allows the driver to see in both directions. However, in line service the leading locomotive is usually operated with the cab end ahead.
The six electric traction motors are mounted in the two bogies; each drives one axle. Between the bogies is the fuel tank. The U26Cs are capable of multiple-unit train control
Multiple-unit train control
Multiple-unit train control, sometimes abbreviated to multiple-unit or MU, is a method of simultaneously controlling all the traction equipment in a train from a single location, whether it is a Multiple unit comprising a number of self-powered passenger cars or a set of locomotives.A set of...
operation. In New Zealand and South Africa, trains operated by four or more locomotives are not uncommon.
Other technical data of the locomotives varies depending on the build year and construction, but the type of motor fitted is always the GE 7FDL-12.
Brazil
Six U26Cs, built for metre gauge use, were delivered in 1981 to the Brazilian Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas (EFVM), where they were given road numbers 401-406. They were constructed by GE Brasil.Four of these locomotives (Nos. 401, 402, 404 and 406) were taken over in 1998 by Ferronorte and regauged to broad gauge (1600 mm).
Since 2006 these locomotives have been owned by América Latina Logística (ALL).
Kenya
The Kenya Railways (KR) U26C locomotives have been designated as class 93 (delivery in 1977, 26 units) and 94 (delivery in 1987, 10 units).In 1998, five of the class 93 locomotives were leased to Magadi Rail, a subsidiary of the Magadi Soda Company
Magadi Soda Company
The Madagi Soda Company manufactures soda ash at the Kenyan town of Magadi, which is in southwestern Kenya. It is the largest manufacturer of soda ash in Africa. The company was founded in 1911 and mines trona from Lake Magadi, in the Rift Valley. Lake Magadi has one of the purest surface deposits...
. They were used to operate soda ash trains from Magadi
Magadi
Magadi is a town in Ramanagaram district in the Indian state of Karnataka.Magadi was capital of Kempe Gowda who built Bangalore. It is alsothe setting of the true story "Old Munnusamy and the man-eater of Magadi" by Kenneth Anderson ....
along the 150 km (93.2 mi) branch line to Konza
Konza, Kenya
Konza is a small town in Machakos District, Eastern Province, Kenya. It is located 160 kilometres south of Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. Machakos town, the district capital, is located 35 kilometres northeast of Konza....
, which is also leased to Magadi Rail. In 2007, they were returned to their owner.
As at 2011, all members of class 93 and 94 formed part of the fleet of the Rift Valley Railways Consortium
Rift Valley Railways Consortium
The Rift Valley Railways Consortium is a consortium that was established to manage the parastatal railways of Kenya and Uganda. The consortium won the bid for private management of the century-old Kenya-Uganda railway in 2005.-History:...
, which currently manages the parastatal railways of Kenya and Uganda. They were all still serviceable and suitable for rehabilitation and upgrading.
Another group of U26Cs, known as class 95, consisted of eleven South African Class 34-400
South African Class 34-400
Between April 1973 and November 1974 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 34-400 GE U26C diesel-electric locomotives in service.- Manufacturer :...
units, converted to metre gauge. They were leased from Spoornet
Spoornet
Transnet Freight Rail is a South African rail transport company, formerly known as Spoornet. It was part of 'South African Railways and Harbours', a state-controlled organisation that employed hundreds of thousands of people for decades from the first half of the 20th century and was widely...
for a number of years until April 2002, when they were returned to South Africa.
New Zealand
A total of 49 units of the U26C model were built for the New Zealand Railways as the DX class, 15 of them in 1971, and a further 34 in 1975–76. The initial road numbers of these locomotives were 2600–2648.Over time, all locomotives in the DX class received minor modifications. These included the fitting of modified cabs
Cab (locomotive)
The cab, crew compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive is the part of the locomotive housing the train driver or engineer, the fireman or driver's assistant , and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation....
with one piece windshields. Other changes involved the electronics and the couplings
Coupling (railway)
A coupling is a mechanism for connecting rolling stock in a train. The design of the coupler is standard, and is almost as important as the railway gauge, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.The equipment that connects the couplings to the...
.
Some DXs have been further modified, to operate through the over 8.5 km (5.3 mi) long and steeply graded Otira Tunnel
Otira Tunnel
The Otira Tunnel is a railway tunnel on the Midland Line in the South Island of New Zealand between Otira and Arthur's Pass. It runs under the Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Otira - a length of over . The gradient is mainly 1 in 33, and the Otira end of the tunnel is over lower than the...
on the South Island. The air intakes of these locomotives were remounted outside the locomotive body, and fitted with a downward heading intake scoop, to prevent them from drawing in exhaust gases accumulating at the tunnel's ceiling. The image at the top right of this article is of locomotives belonging to this variant, known as the DXC sub class.
One member of the DX class was much more substantially rebuilt in 1993, and another in 2006. The rebuilt locomotives were redesignated as the DXR class (with the R signifying rebuilt). Amongst other things, they were fitted with a new engine, and an enlarged, modernised cab. However, the rebuilding program was not pursued any further.
A single DX was retired in the 1970s following an accident; as at 2010, the remaining 48, including the two DXRs, were still in operation. All of them are now renumbered, and reclassified as DXB (North Island), DXC, or DXR.
South Africa
The most numerous U26Cs were the 255 units built for the South African Railways (SAR) (later renamed Spoornet and then Transnet Freight Rail (TFR)), for which they were designated as part of class 34. The various production runs of the SAR locomotives were grouped into subclasses 34-000South African Class 34-000
Between July 1971 and March 1973 the South African Railways placed one hundred and twenty-five Class 34-000 GE U26C diesel-electric locomotives in service.- Manufacturer :...
(125 units, 1971–73), 34-400
South African Class 34-400
Between April 1973 and November 1974 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 34-400 GE U26C diesel-electric locomotives in service.- Manufacturer :...
(100 units, 1973) and 34-900
South African Class 34-900
Between October 1979 and February 1981 the South African Railways placed thirty Class 34-900 GE U26C diesel-electric locomotives in service.-Manufacturer:...
(30 units, 1979–80). As such, their subclassifications were mixed in with EMD GT26MC
South African Class 34-200
Between October 1971 and March 1972 the South African Railways placed fifty Class 34-200 EMD GT26MC diesel-electric locomotives in service.- Manufacturer :...
model locomotives, which are of similar weight and performance, and were subclassified as 34-200
South African Class 34-200
Between October 1971 and March 1972 the South African Railways placed fifty Class 34-200 EMD GT26MC diesel-electric locomotives in service.- Manufacturer :...
, 34-600
South African Class 34-600
Between December 1974 and July 1976 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 34-600 EMD GT26MC diesel-electric locomotives in service.-Manufacturer:...
, 34-800
South African Class 34-800
Between August 1978 and December 1979 the South African Railways placed fifty Class 34-800 EMD GT26MC diesel-electric locomotives in service. In 1979 one more of the same type was placed in service by Iscor in Newcastle, and between April and July 1980 a further eight of these locomotives were...
and 37-000
South African Class 37-000
Between May 1981 and 1982 the South African Railways placed one hundred Class 37-000 EMD GT26M2C diesel-electric locomotives in service. After these locomotives were commissioned, the national carrier was not to invest in new diesel-electric locomotives before 2009, nearly three decades later.-...
. The SAR U26C locomotives have been used to haul both goods and passenger trains, including the Blue Train
Blue Train (South Africa)
The Blue Train travels an approximately journey in South Africa between Pretoria and Cape Town. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world...
.
Another 44 units of the U26C model were delivered in 1971–73 to the ISCOR works (now Mittal Steel South Africa) as industrial locomotives. Thirty nine of these locomotives were later taken over by Spoornet, and incorporated into SAR class 34 as road numbers 34-501 to 34-539 (class 34-500
South African Class 34-500
Between 1974 and 1977 the state owned South African Iron and Steel Corporation, now Kumba Iron Ore, placed forty-four GE U26C diesel-electric locomotives in service on its 1974 built Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line and as heavy shunters at the Sishen mine. In 1977 another two locomotives were built...
or "34-400 ex ISCOR"). Two additional U26Cs went to the Douglas Colliery in 1977. Except for the latter two locomotives, and the first three SAR units, all of the South African U26Cs were built under license at Dorbyl Transport Products.
One unusual operation regularly performed by South African U26Cs is the haulage of Orex trains on the Sishen-Saldanha Bay iron ore line. On this line, which has been electrified at 50kV since 1978, U26C locomotives, and especially the former ISCOR machines, daily work in multiple unit operation with electric locomotives of the much more powerful and heavier class 9E
South African Class 9E, Series 1
In 1978 and 1979 the South African Railways placed twenty-five Class 9E, Series 1 electric locomotives with a Co-Co wheel arrangement in service on the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line.-Manufacturer:...
or class 15E
South African Class 15E
In 2010 Transnet Freight Rail placed the first of seventy-six Class 15E 50 kV AC heavy electric freight locomotives with a Co-Co wheel arrangement in service on the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line.-Manufacturers:...
, but should be replaced in late 2011 by new Class 43-000
South African Class 43-000
In January 2011 Transnet Rail Engineering took delivery of the first two of one hundred Class 43-000 type GE C30ACi diesel-electric locomotives for Transnet Freight Rail. A further eight were shipped from the United States of America in April 2011...
diesel-electric locomotives. In some cases, trains on this line have also been hauled exclusively by diesel locomotives, as was the case before electrification.
Tanzania / Zambia
GE U30C
The GE U30C was one of the earliest successes from General Electric in the diesel locomotive market. With 600 units sold, the U30C proved to be a choice for customers who weren't able to purchase SD40's or SD40-2's from EMD due to mass orders...
).
The Tazara U30Cs were acquired to supplement the ageing and underpowered Chinese made locomotives that had been used on the Tazara Railway since its opening in 1976.