| EMD GP60 | |
|---|---|
| SSW (SP-owned) 9673 in Caliente, California | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) |
| Model | GP60, GP60M, GP60B |
| Build date | 1985 – 1994 |
| Total produced | 294 GP60; 63 GP60M; 23 GP60B |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Length | 59 ft 9 in (18.21 m) |
| Fuel capacity | 3,700 US gal (14,000 l; 3,100 imp gal) |
| Prime mover | EMD 16-710G3A |
| Cylinders | 16 |
| Power output | 3,800 hp (2,800 kW) |
An EMD GP60 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1994. The GP60 was EMD's first diesel that was classified as a third-generation locomotive. Hidden behind the electrical cabinet doors on the rear wall of the cab, the GP60 concealed a trio of microprocessors that monitored and managed a host of engine, cooling system and control functions. A hallmark of the 60 series and the defining detail of third-generation locomotives, on-board microprocessors replaced hundreds of wiring circuits, dozens of relays and all but one module card in what many observers consider to be one of the most significant technological advances since the dawn of dieseldom.
Power was provided by a 16-cylinder 710G3A diesel engine, which could produce 3,800 horsepower (2,800 kW). This locomotive was 59 feet 9 inches long and featured a 3,700-US-gallon (14,000 L) fuel tank. The GP60 series shared the same frame as the GP59. Cabless units of this locomotive model were also built; they were known as GP60B models, purchased exclusively by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Units built with a comfort/safety cab and a wide nose were designated GP60M and all purchased by the Santa Fe. A total of 294 GP60, 23 GP60B and 63 GP60M units were built by EMD. Due to the mainstream focus of railroads on big powerful six-axle units, the GP60 will most likely be the last new EMD "Geep".
Santa Fe followed its 40 standard-cab GP60s with an order for 63 custom GP60Ms. The first new units delivered in the road's revived "Super Fleet" Warbonnet Paint Scheme, and the only 60 series B-Bs built with North American cabs, Santa Fe GP60Ms 100-162 were delivered between May and September 1990.
23 GP60Bs were built, all for Santa Fe. Taking advantage of the cabless configuration, the dynamic brake equipment on the GP60B was moved forward and away from the prime mover. Santa Fe 325-347 were the only GP60Bs. Some of these remain in service with BNSF.
Rio Grande's first (and last) 60 series units were GP60s 3154-3156, built to SP specs in May 1990.
Southern Pacific purchased the first, last, and largest fleet of GP60s, ordering 195 units between December 1987 and Feb. 1994. Nearly half of the SP Fleet was lettered for subsidiary Cotton Belt, but an even 100 were pure Southern Pacific.
Two units built for the Texas Mexican Railway were returned to lessor Helm Financial after Kansas City Southern acquired the Tex Mex. The pair operated for a while in lease service on CSX, then were briefly on the roster of the Vermont Railway System as its 381-382 before that carrier deemed them unsuitable for its operations. The 381 was even repainted into VRS red and white before being returned to Helm in 2004.
| EMD GP60 orders | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | 40 | 4000-4039 | Now owned by BNSF Railway & numbered BNSF 8700-8730, 8732-8739 (ATSF 4031 wrecked & retired) |
| U.S. Department of Energy (SROX) | 1 | 106 | Used at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina. |
| Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad | 3 | 3154-3156 | Now owned by Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1900-1902 |
| EMDX | 3 | EMD 5-7 | GP60 Demonstrators. Now owned by CSX Transportation and numbered CSXT 6897-6899. |
| Norfolk Southern | 50 | 7100-7150 | 7100 was originally 7117. The unit was involved in a fatal accident in which the conductor was killed, and after being repaired in July-1998, at the request of the victim's family that NS no longer use that number, was renumbered NS 7100. Units 7137, 7138, & 7143 were damaged when NS train 226 rear-ended another NS train. 7137 was destroyed. 7138 & 7143 suffered significant damage, but were sent to the NS Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA for possible repair. |
| Southern Pacific Railroad | 100 | 9600-9619, 9715-9794 | Now with Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1902-1921, 2015-2097. |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway | 95 | 9620-9714 | Now with Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1984-1987, 1990-1993, 1997-2000, 2003-2014 |
| Texas Mexican Railway | 2 | 869-870 | Now Helm Financial and renumbered HLCX 7700-7701 |
| EMD GP60B orders | |||
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | 23 | 325-347 | Now with BNSF Railway as BNSF 325-347 |
| EMD GP60M orders | |||
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | 63 | 100-162 | Now with BNSF Railway as BNSF 100-162 (142, 144, 148, 152 wrecked & retired) |
| External images | |
|---|---|
| RailPictures.Net – EMD GP60 photographs from RailPictures.Net. | |
| Railroad Picture Archives – Photographs of the EMD GP60 at Railroad Picture Archives. | |
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