GP50/50L

From RailroadfanWiki

GP50

The Electromotive Division GP50 is a 4 axle, 3,500 (or 3,600) HP diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD from 1980 to 1985. Like it's SD50 sibling, the GP50 used a 16 cylinder 645F3B prime mover rated between 3,500 and 3,600 HP. The GP50 uses the same frame as the GP38, GP38-2, GP39, GP39-2, GP40 and GP40-2.

The GP50 was introduced in a time of economic recession, when railroads were storing excess motive power in response to low traffic levels. The GP50 was also part of EMD's less than reliable 50 Series, which was known for mechanical and electrical problems. On top of all that, at the time the GP50 was being built, there was less of a market for high horsepower 4 axle locomotives; 6 axles were now the locomotive of choice for most railroads. Because of all this, only 278 GP50's were built. Those remaining in service today have either been rebuilt or derated to 3,000 HP, essentially making them GP40-2's and solving most of the problems.

Roster of GP50's

	Railroad Quantity Road Numbers Notes Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 45 3810-3854 Now with BNSF Burlington Northern 63 3100-3162 Now with BNSF Chicago & North Western 50 5050-5099 Most now with UP, some sold off Missouri Pacific 30 3500-3529 Most now with UP St. Louis San Francisco 9 790-799 To BN, now BNSF Southern 90 7003-7092 Built with high short hoods, now with NS

GP50L

The GP50L was a varient of the GP50 built by EMD for Burlington Northern. 5 were built, and were essentially GP50's with elongated cabs to accomodate 5 man crews in anticipation of the abolishment of cabooses. However, it soon came to pass that most trains ran with 2 or 3 man crews, and the larger cab wasn't needed. The 5 GP50L's are still in service with BNSF today.

Continue on to the GP60 Series

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