GE 45-ton switcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 GE 45 Tonner |
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | GE Transportation Systems |
| Model | 45-ton switcher |
| Build date | 1940 – 1956 |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Total weight | 45 ton |
| Prime mover | 2 × 150 HP Cummins diesel engines ) |
| Cylinders | 4 × 7/8 inches cylinders, with a 6 inch stroke |
| Power output | 150 hp |
| Locale | North America |
The GE 45-ton switcher is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Electric between 1940 and 1956. The locomotive is unusual in that although it is a diesel electric, it still has side rods connecting the driving wheels. It was designed for industrial and light switching duties, often replacing steam locomotives that had previously been assigned these chores. This locomotive's specific 45-ton weight was directly related to one of the efficiencies the new diesel locomotives offered compared to their steam counterparts, reduced labour intensity. In the 1940s, the steam to diesel transition was in its infancy in North America, and railroad unions were trying to protect the locomotive fireman jobs that were redundant with diesel units. One measure taken to this end was a stipulation that locomotives weighing 44 tons or more required a fireman in addition to an engineer. The 45-ton is still used today by private industries, shortline railroads, and museums.
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| Diesel locomotives built by GE | |
|---|---|
| Industrial and switch engines | 60-ton boxcab, 100-ton boxcab, 600-hp centercab, 1000-hp centercab, DEY-2, EN-6, 25-ton, 35-ton, 43-ton, 44-ton, 45-ton, 50-ton, 60-ton, 65-ton, 70-ton, 80-ton, 95-ton, 100-ton, 110-ton, 125-ton, 126-ton, 128-ton, 1800-hp transfer, 2000-hp transfer, U6B |
| Universal Series: | UD18, U18B, U23B, U25B, U28B, U30B, U33B, U36B, U23C, U25C, U26C, U28C, U30C, U33C, U36C, U50, U50C |
| Passenger locomotives: | U28CG, U30CG, U34CH, P30CH, Genesis series (P40DC, P32AC-DM, P42DC) |
| Dash-7 series: | B23-7, BQ23-7, B30-7, B30-7A, B36-7, C30-7, C30-7A, C36-7 |
| Dash-8 series: | B32-8, B32-8WH, B39-8, B40-8, B40-8P, B40-8W, C32-8, C39-8, C40-8, C40-8M, C40-8W, C44-8W |
| Dash-9 series: | C40-9, C40-9W, C44-9W |
| AC series: | AC4400CW, AC6000CW |
| Evolution Series: | ES40DC, ES44DC, ES44AC |
