EMD SD60

EMD SD60 series
Soo Line 6022 pulls a train through Wisconsin Dells, WI, 20 June 2004
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder GM Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
General Motors Diesel (GMD)
Build date 1984 – 1995
Total produced 1,138
AAR wheel arr. C-C
Gauge 4 ft 8 12 in (1,435 mm)
Prime mover EMD 16-710-G3A
Alternator main : AR-11
Traction motors D-87
Power output 3,800 hp (2.8 MW)
Disposition most still in service as of 2010

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.

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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:

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

See also

External links