GP16
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 Seaboard System Railroad #1786, a GP16 rebuild in its original paint scheme -- Mulberry, Florida. |
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD); rebuilt by the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad |
| Model | GP16 |
| Build date | June 1979 — November 1982 |
| Total production | 156 |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Length | 56 ft 0 in (17.07 m) |
| Total weight | 258,000 lb (117,000 kg) |
| Prime mover | EMD 645 |
| Engine type | 2-stroke diesel |
| Transmission | DC generator, DC traction motors |
| Top speed | 65 mph (105 km/h) |
| Power output | 1,600 hp (1,194 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 64,500 lbf (287 kN) |
| Locomotive brakes | straight air |
| Train brakes | 26L air |
| Locale | North America |
The Uceta GP16 was the result of a Seaboard Coast Line effort to spare the cost of purchasing new motive power in the late 1970s by rebuilding their aging fleet of 156 EMD GP7, GP9, and GP18 road switchers (many of which were over 20 years old).
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[edit] The Program
The required modifications, which took nine weeks per unit on average to complete. The program resulted in a cost savings of almost 50% over buying new locomotives.
Included in the program:
- Rebuilding the underframe assembly;
- Remanufacturing the Blomberg B two-axle trucks, generators, and traction motors (all GP16s were configured with a B-B wheel arrangement);
- Replacing the existing 567 prime mover with a new EMD 645 series diesel engine, which boosted the horsepower rating to 1,600 in the case of the former GP7 locomotives. This gave rise to the 16 designation.
- Removal of the dynamic brakes, and installation of a new type 26L air brake system.
- Installation of a new high-voltage cabinet.
- Lowering the front nose of the carbody to improve visibility, and retrofitting with a new cab and standard AAR control stand.
Ancillary benefits included a lowered engine idling speed and increased fuel efficiency. SCL committed over 100 of its personnel to the conversion program. The first GP16 emerged from SCL's Uceta (Tampa) shop in June, 1979 while the last was placed into service during November, 1982.
[edit] In service
The rebuilt locomotives saw service throughout the system, engaging in a variety of duties from local switching to main-line freight hauling. Though SCL became part of the CSX Transportation system in the 1980s, the majority of the units remained active until 1992, when the bulk of the roster was retired and sold-off. Many GP16s remain in active service today on short line railroads around the country, far exceeding their 15-year projected lifespan.
In 1993 the U. S. Army bought many GP16's from CSX which lead some people to think the Army built it. The Army sent the GP16's to Conrail's Junita Locomotive shops to be 'remanufactured'. When they were done Conrail put a GP9M plate on them.
 Former Seaboard Coast Line Railroad #1821, a GP16 conversion, wears CSX colors after the 1986 merger. |
 CSX sold many GP16's to the U. S. Army (AAR reporting mark USAX) and today #4635 serves at Fort Eustis, VA. |
 Rail Link, Inc. #444, a GP16 rebuild, works on the Commonwealth Railway in Suffolk, Virginia. |
 Buckingham Branch Railroad #2, a GP16 rebuild, rests at Dillwyn, Virginia. |
[edit] Footnote
In the late 1960s through the early 1970s, the Missouri Pacific Railroad repowered their entire roster of high-hood ALCO RS-11s with EMD 567 series diesel engines. These converted units were designated by the MP as "GP16s" presumably to reflect their new horsepower rating.
[edit] References
- The GP16 Rebuild Program. Locomotive Rebuilding Programs. Retrieved on January 3, 2006.
- The History of EMD Diesel Engines. Pacific Southwest Railway Museum. Retrieved on December 14, 2005.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-89024-026-4.
