Progress Rail PR43C
Encyclopedia
The Progress Rail PR43C is a 4300 hp C-C genset diesel-electric locomotive built by Progress Rail Services Corporation
. It is the result of a conversion of existing EMD SD50
locomotives. This involves replacing the original EMD 645
prime mover
with a pair of Caterpillar
engines, a 3600 hp C175 engine and a 700 hp C18 engine. The locomotive was jointly designed by Progress Rail and Norfolk Southern Railway
. Development began in 2008.
Three locomotives have been built: two are operating in revenue freight service on Norfolk Southern, while a third is operating as a demonstrator unit for Progress Rail. Norfolk Southern has four more PR43Cs on order. The locomotives operating for Norfolk Southern work on freight trains in central Illinois, leading to speculation that they are being tested, as Caterpillar's headquarters are located in Peoria, Illinois
.
All three locomotives were manufactured at Progress Rail's Mayfield, Kentucky
factory.
The process of converting an SD50 to a PR43C alters the external appearance of the locomotive; the original radiator section is replaced with a larger one that is similar in appearance to that of an EMD SD70ACe or SD70M-2.
Progress Rail Services Corporation
Progress Rail Services Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. since 2006, is a supplier of railroad and transit system products and services headquartered in Albertville, Alabama, United States...
. It is the result of a conversion of existing EMD SD50
EMD SD50
The EMD SD50 was a diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It was introduced in May 1981 as part of EMD's "50 Series", but prototype SD50S locomotives were built from 1980; production ceased in January 1986...
locomotives. This involves replacing the original EMD 645
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
prime mover
Prime mover (locomotive)
In engineering, a prime mover is an engine that converts fuel to useful work. In locomotives, the prime mover is thus the source of power for its propulsion. The term is generally used when discussing any locomotive powered by an internal combustion engine...
with a pair of 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...
engines, a 3600 hp C175 engine and a 700 hp C18 engine. The locomotive was jointly designed by Progress Rail and Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk Southern Railway
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada...
. Development began in 2008.
Three locomotives have been built: two are operating in revenue freight service on Norfolk Southern, while a third is operating as a demonstrator unit for Progress Rail. Norfolk Southern has four more PR43Cs on order. The locomotives operating for Norfolk Southern work on freight trains in central Illinois, leading to speculation that they are being tested, as Caterpillar's headquarters are located in Peoria, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
.
All three locomotives were manufactured at Progress Rail's Mayfield, Kentucky
Mayfield, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,349 people, 4,358 households, and 2,667 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,549.8 people per square mile . There were 4,907 housing units at an average density of 734.8 per square mile...
factory.
The process of converting an SD50 to a PR43C alters the external appearance of the locomotive; the original radiator section is replaced with a larger one that is similar in appearance to that of an EMD SD70ACe or SD70M-2.