EMD GP15
This article includes a list of generalreferences,butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations.(March 2017) |
EMD GP15 (-1/T/AC) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
TheEMD GP15is a 4-axlediesel-electric locomotivebuilt byGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Divisionbetween June 1976 and April 1983. Intended to provide an alternative to the rebuilding programs that many railroads were applying to their early road switchers, it is generally employed as ayardswitcheror lightroad switcher.There were 3 variants made: the GP15-1, the GP15T, and the GP15AC. The GP15-1 and GP15AC are powered by a 12-cylinderEMD 645Eengine, which generates 1,500 hp (1,119 kW). The GP15T differs in that it uses aturbo charged8-cylinder instead of theroots blown12-cylinder to generate the same horsepower. The GP15AC differs from the others as it uses an AC alternator connected to the engine instead of a DC generator to drive the traction motors. The radiator section is similar to those found on theEMD SD40T-2andEMD SD45T-2"tunnel motors," leading some observers to incorrectly identify the units as such or as GP15Ts, and giving them the nickname "baby tunnel motors".[1]A number of GP15-1s remain in service today for yard work and light road duty.
History and variants
[edit]GP15-1
[edit]The GP15-1 was the most popular variant as it did not contain either of the newer technologies of the other two variants (turbocharging or AC control). EMD built a total of 310 units forAmericanrailroads in this variant between June 1976 and March 1982.
TheMissouri Pacific Railroadpurchased more units than the other three buyers combined. For spotting purposes, the MP models have a number of visually distinguishing features, though not all were applied consistently to the MP units:
- The MP units have a grab iron ladder mounted on both sides of the long hood end;
- MP's initial order of GP15-1s rode onBlomberg Mtrucks rather than the more commonBlomberg B(all subsequent units were delivered with Blomberg B trucks) — and, while the standard Blomberg B truck carries two brake shoes per wheel, many MP units were equipped with only a single brake shoe per wheel;
- #1555–#1574 were outfitted with the standard 81 "nose, while the remaining units (all built in December 1976 or later) came with an 88" nose;
Railroad[2][3] | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Chicago and North Western Railway | 25 | Most in service withUnion Pacific Railroad |
Conrail | 100 | #1600–1699 all retired byCSX Transportationand sold to GMTX. All retired byNorfolk Southern Railwayand sold to LTEX. |
Missouri Pacific Railroad | 160 | Most in service with Union Pacific Railroad |
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway | 25 | #100–124 All have been retired byBNSF Railway.Some traded to GMTX for GP38-2's |
Totals | 310 |
GP15T
[edit]EMD built 28 examples of a variant, theGP15T,between October 1982 and April 1983. It was a very close cousin to the GP15-1, but used a turbocharger in order to generate more power from a smaller engine. Power was provided by an 8-cylinderdiesel engine that generated 1,500hp(1.12 MW), the same as the GP15-1, but with four fewer cylinders.[1]
28 examples of this locomotive model were built forAmericanrailroads. TheChessie Systemreceived the majority of them as C&O 1500–1524 (25 units),[3]while the rest went to theApalachicola Northern Railroadin Florida as AN 720–722 (3 units).[2]
Railroad[2][3] | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Chessie System | 25 | 1500-1524 |
Apalachicola Northern Railroad | 3 | 720-722 |
Totals | 28 |
GP15AC
[edit]TheGP15ACis a variant built between November and December 1982. This model differs from the GP15-1 due to Missouri Pacific specifying new AR10 AC alternators instead of rebuilt D32 DC generators. The only external difference between the GP15AC and the GP15-1 is a straight side sill (shared with theEMD GP15T) not related to the transmission difference.
34 examples of this locomotive model were built in total: 30 forMissouri Pacific Railroad,and four for Venezuela'sIFE.[2]
Railroad[2][3] | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Missouri Pacific Railroad | 30 | |
State Railways Institution | 4 | |
Totals | 34 |
Rebuilds
[edit]Union Pacific has rebuilt 22 of their GP15-1's intoGP15N's at their Jenk's shop. These units received a microprocessor control system to increase adhesion, control options, and extend the life of the locomotive.[4]
Preservation
[edit]In 2021,CSXdonated GP15T #1507 (built 1982 as C&O #1507) to theB&O Railroad MuseuminBaltimore, Maryland.[5]It is the first GP15 class locomotive to be preserved.
References
[edit]- ^abFoster, Gerald L. (1996).A field guide to trains of North America.Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 30.ISBN0-395-70112-0.
- ^abcdeSarberenyi, Robert."GP15-1, GP15AC, and GP15T Roster".TrainWeb.Archivedfrom the original on 14 July 2023.Retrieved3 August2021.
- ^abcdScott, Robert (1 December 2022)."GP15-1 locomotives: EMD workhorses".Trains.Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2023.Retrieved2024-03-05.
- ^Craig, R."Union Pacific Motive Power".The Diesel Shop.Archivedfrom the original on 28 December 2023.Retrieved2024-03-15.
- ^"CSXT 1507".B&O RR Museum Archives.Archivedfrom the original on 15 March 2024.Retrieved2024-03-15.
- "GP15-1 specification page".GATX Rail Locomotive Group.Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2005.RetrievedJune 25,2005.
- "The History of EMD Diesel Engines".Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.Archived fromthe originalon July 22, 2014.RetrievedDecember 14,2005.
- Marre, Louis A. & Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1989).The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide.Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Books.ISBN0-89024-088-4.LCCN88083625.OCLC19959644.
Further reading
[edit]- Sperandeo, Andy. "The EMD GP15-1: EMD's down-sized road switcher."Model Railroader,January 1990, 110–115.
External links
[edit]- EMD GP15T Operator's Manual
- Sarberenyi, Robert.EMD GP15-1, GP15AC, and GP15T Original Owners