EMD BL20-2

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The EMD BL20-2 was the diesel-electric unit that was introduced in order for EMD to gain entry to the rebuild market for the second time. Nearly a decade after the GP15-1 program ceased, EMD revived the "BL" series in an attempt to crack the rebuild marketand compete with General Electric's Super 7 series. All three BL20-2 demonstrators, road numbers 120-122, were built on the 56 foot, 2 inch frames of ex-Burlington Northern GP9's of Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Northern Pacific and Spokane, Portland & Seattle heritage. All three demonstrators were outshopped from La Grange in mid-1992, they bore no resemblance to the pre-Geep EMD BL1 and BL2 models of the late 1940s. Neither did they resemble GP9's, at least not from the frame up. On the inside, the unit married the technology of 2 generations, with a rebuild 16-567 engine (turbo-charged to boost the output from 1750 to 2000 horsepower) mated to an AR10 alternator and Dash 2 electrical system. Although the GP9 frame, trucks tration motors fans and prime mover were rebuilt and reused, the locomotive received an all-new cab and carbody, basically that of a standard second-generation Geep. Still the unit had an unmistakable appearance, due to the absence of inertial air intakes behind the cab and the use of squared-off dynamic brake assenbly similar to that of a GP60. Competing in one of the toughest fields in the locomotive business, the three BL20-2 demonstrated for 2 years, but won no orders. Redeployed to EMD's lease fleet in 1994, they are now in the employ of Locomotive Leasing Partners, AAR reporting marks LLPX, a joint venture by GATX Capital and EMD Leasing.