EMD SD60
The EMD SD60 is a 3,800 horsepower (2.8 MW) 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. Intended for heavy-duty drag freight or medium-speed freight service, it was introduced in 1984, and production of SD60 variants ran until 1995.
History and development
The development of the SD50 and SD60 series in the late 1970s and early 1980s was spurred by the introduction of 3,600 hp (2.7 MW) GE B36-7 and GE C36-7 locomotives by EMD's main competitor General Electric. In 1980, the SD50 model was added to the EMD Catalog. However, the SD50 quickly became a 'dud' in terms of sales due to poor mechanical reliability and an overly complex electrical distribution and control system that was unique to the EMD 50-Series Locomotives. EMD therefore quickly commenced development of the SD60 series, which would improve upon the weaknesses of the SD50. Although the carbody and frame are nearly indistinguishable from the earlier SD50, the SD60 featured the new 16 cylinder EMD 710-G3A engine, AR-11 main alternator, D-87 traction motors and a microprocessor-based control system that governed various systems within the locomotive (e.g. wheelslip & transition). Mechanically, the SD60 proved to be more reliable and fuel-efficient than the SD50, but it was not a resounding success in terms of regaining the market share that was lost due to the electrical & mechanical issues that plagued the earlier SD50 model. EMD claimed that three SD60 units could replace four SD40-2s.
Variants
Several variants of the SD60 were built, including:
- The standard SD60, which had a conventional hood unit configuration.
- The SD60F, ordered and operated by Canadian National, had a full-width cowl body and four piece windshield.
- The SD60I "WhisperCab" variant featured a cab (with a full-width short hood) that was isolated from sound and vibration using a system of rubber gaskets. The same cab was later used on the SD70I, the SD75I, the SD80MAC and the SD90MAC. Only Conrail ordered this engine. All of these locomotives now belong to Norfolk Southern and CSX.
- The SD60M, first ordered by the Union Pacific featured a "North American safety cab" design with a full-width short hood. Early models featured a three-window design with vertical windows (nicknamed "triclops"); later production used two windshield panes that were sloped back, and a somewhat shorter nose. The F59PHs were based on the SD60M
- The SD60MAC was a variant of the SD60M with AC powered traction motors. Although four demonstrator SD60MAC units tested on the Burlington Northern proved the viability of EMD's AC traction system, all subsequent orders were for the SD70MAC.
Original owners
Railroad |
Qty. |
Road Numbers |
Notes |
EMD SD60 orders |
Burlington Northern |
3 |
8300-8302 |
Demonstrators owned by EMD but painted for BN; Now with CSX |
Chicago & North Western |
55 |
8001-8055 |
Built to SOO Line specifications; SOO was unable to take delivery due to financial conditions & the order was passed to C&NW |
Conrail |
25 |
6843-6867 |
After the 1999 Conrail split; 12 units went to CSX and were renumbered CSXT 8710-8721, 8790; 15 units went to NS and were renumbered NS 6702-6716 |
CSX Transportation |
10 |
8700-8709 |
|
EMDX |
4 |
1-4 |
Demonstrators; EMD 1,2,4 to CR 6840-6842; EMD 3 leased to BNSF as replacement for EMD 9041 (used at DOT, Pueblo, CO) |
Kansas City Southern |
46 |
714-759 |
|
Norfolk Southern |
151 |
|
Oakway |
100 |
9000-9099 |
Now owned by GMTX. Leased to Norfolk Southern and BNSF |
Soo Line |
58 |
6000-6057 |
SOO 6000-6020 returned to leaser, Capital Finance (CIT Group) |
Union Pacific |
85 |
6000-6084 |
Renumbered UP 2155-2239 (except UP 6014, wrecked & scrapped) |
EMD SD60F orders |
Canadian National |
64 |
5500-5563 |
5500-5503 are pre-production SD60F's, originally classified as SD50AF & built as CN 9900-9903. They look like SD50F's, but internally are SD60F's. |
EMD SD60I orders |
Conrail |
81 |
5544, 5575-5654 |
After the 1999 Conrail split; 35 units went to CSX and were renumbered CSXT 8722-8755, 8774; 46 units went to NS and were renumbered NS 6717-6762 |
EMD SD60M orders |
Burlington Northern |
100 |
1991, 9200-9298 |
Renumbered BNSF 9200-9299, then renumbered BNSF 8100-8199 in 2007-2008 |
Conrail |
74 |
5500-5543, 5545 - 5574 |
After the 1999 Conrail split; 30 units went to CSX and were renumbered CSXT 8756-8773, 8775 - 8786; 44 units went to NS and were renumbered NS 6763-6806 |
Soo Line |
5 |
6058-6062 |
|
Union Pacific |
281 |
6085-6365 |
Renumbered to 2240-2520 except 6106, 6165, 6300, 6341 |
References
- Diesel Era (unknown year). EMD's SD60 Series – Steppingstone to the 21st Century. Diesel Era. ISBN 1-881411-08-7.
- Union Pacific Railroad Locomotive Department (1994). Locomotive Diagram Book. Union Pacific Railroad Company.
- The Diesel Shop Locomotive Rosters
See also
External links
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Six-axle road power |
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Eight-axle road power |
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Diesel cab and cowl locomotives built by GM-EMD
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Cab units
(F- & E-units) |
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Cowl units |
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