EMD SD60
Encyclopedia
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.
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
.
Several variants of the SD60 were built, including:
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(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
GE B36-7
The GE B36-7 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1980 and 1985. 222 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads and eight units were built for a Columbian coal mining operation. The units were designed as successors to GE's U36B's...
and GE C36-7
GE C36-7
The GE C36-7 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems and GE do Brasil between 1978 and 1989. 599 examples of this locomotive were built, 422 of which were exported to the People's Republic of China, which designated it ND5...
locomotives by EMD's main competitor General Electric
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
. In 1980, the SD50
EMD SD50
The EMD SD50 was a diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It was introduced in May 1981 as part of EMD's "50 Series", but prototype SD50S locomotives were built from 1980; production ceased in January 1986...
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
EMD 710
The EMD 710 is a line of diesel engines built by Electro-Motive Diesel . The 710 series largely replaced the earlier EMD 645 series. The EMD 710 is a large two-stroke diesel engine that has a displacement per cylinder. Since its introduction, EMD has continually upgraded the 710G diesel engine...
engine, AR-11 main alternator, D-87 traction motors and a microprocessor
Microprocessor
A microprocessor incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit on a single integrated circuit, or at most a few integrated circuits. It is a multipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and...
-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
Fuel efficiency
Fuel efficiency is a form of thermal efficiency, meaning the efficiency of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier fuel into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application, and this spectrum of variance is...
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
EMD SD50
The EMD SD50 was a diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It was introduced in May 1981 as part of EMD's "50 Series", but prototype SD50S locomotives were built from 1980; production ceased in January 1986...
model. EMD claimed that three SD60 units could replace four SD40-2s
EMD SD40-2
The EMD SD40-2 is a C-C locomotive produced by EMD from 1972 to 1989.The SD40-2 was first introduced in January 1972 as the mid-range offering in EMD's six-axle "Dash-2" series, competing against the GE U30C and the MLW M630...
.
Variants
- The standard SD60, which had a conventional hood unitHood unitA hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
configuration. - The SD60F, ordered and operated by Canadian NationalCanadian National RailwayThe Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
, had a full-width cowl bodyCowl unitA cowl unit is a body style of diesel locomotive. The terminology is a North American one, though similar locomotives exist elsewhere. A cowl unit is one with full-width enclosing bodywork, similar to the cab unit style of earlier locomotives, but unlike the cab unit style, the bodywork is merely...
and four piece windshield.
- The SD60I "WhisperCab" variant featured a cabCab (locomotive)The cab, crew compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive is the part of the locomotive housing the train driver or engineer, the fireman or driver's assistant , and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation....
(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 SD70IEMD SD70 seriesThe EMD SD70 is a series of diesel-electric locomotives produced by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors beginning in 1992. Over 4000 locomotives in this series have been produced, mostly of the SD70M and SD70MAC models. All locomotives of this series are hood units with C-C trucks...
, the SD75IEMD SD75IEMD SD75I is a diesel-electric locomotive produced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division .This unit is the same as the EMD SD75M, with , HTCR-II radial trucks and a frame. The only difference between the two models is the cab. The "I" in the model designation stands for Isolated cab, this type...
, the SD80MACEMD SD80MACThe SD80MAC is a 5000 horsepower C-C diesel-electric locomotive. The SD80MAC uses a 20 cylinder version of EMD's 710G prime mover, and is the first diesel locomotive to utilize a 20 cylinder engine since the SD45/ SD45-2...
and the SD90MACEMD SD90MACThe EMD SD90MAC is a C-C diesel-electric hood unit locomotive produced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It is, with the SD80MAC, one of the largest single-engined locomotives produced by that company, surpassed only by the dual-engined DD series...
. Only ConrailConsolidated Rail CorporationThe Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and...
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 hoodShort hoodThe short hood of a hood unit-style diesel locomotive is, as the name implies, the shorter of the two hoods on a locomotive...
. 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 ACAlternating currentIn alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
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 Burlington Northern Railroad The Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996.... |
3 | 8300-8302 | Demonstrators owned by EMD but painted for BN; Now with CSX CSX Transportation CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles... |
| 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 Consolidated Rail Corporation The Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and... |
25 | 6843-6867 | After the 1999 Conrail Consolidated Rail Corporation The Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and... split; 12 units went to CSX CSX Transportation CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles... and were renumbered CSXT 8710-8721, 8790; 15 units went to NS and were renumbered NS 6702-6716 |
| CSX Transportation CSX Transportation CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles... |
10 | 8700-8709 | |
| EMDX | 4 | 1-4 | Demonstrators; EMD 1,2,4 to CR Consolidated Rail Corporation The Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and... 6840-6842; EMD 3 leased to BNSF as replacement for EMD 9041 (used at DOT, Pueblo, CO) |
| Kansas City Southern Kansas City Southern Railway The Kansas City Southern Railway , owned by Kansas City Southern Industries, is the smallest and second-oldest Class I railroad company still in operation. KCS was founded in 1887 and is currently operating in a region consisting of ten central U.S. states... |
46 | 714-759 | |
| Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern Railway The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada... |
151 | ||
| Oakway | 100 | 9000-9099 | Now owned by GMTX General American Transportation Corporation GATX Corporation is an equipment finance company based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1898, GATX's primary activities consist of railcar operating leasing in North America and Europe... . Leased to Norfolk Southern Norfolk Southern Railway The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I railroad in the United States, owned by the Norfolk Southern Corporation. With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, the company operates 21,500 route miles in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia and the province of Ontario, Canada... and BNSF |
| Soo Line Soo Line Railroad The Soo Line Railroad is the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway , controlled through the Soo Line Corporation, and one of seven U.S. Class I railroads. Although it is named for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste... |
58 | 6000-6057 | SOO 6000-6020 returned to leaser, Capital Finance (CIT Group) |
| Union Pacific Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... |
85 | 6000-6084 | Renumbered UP 2155-2239 (except UP 6014, wrecked & scrapped) |
| EMD SD60F orders | |||
| Canadian National Canadian National Railway The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad".... |
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 Consolidated Rail Corporation The Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and... |
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 Burlington Northern Railroad The Burlington Northern Railroad was a United States-based railroad company formed from a merger of four major U.S. railroads. Burlington Northern operated between 1970 and 1996.... |
100 | 1991, 9200-9298 | Renumbered BNSF 9200-9299, then renumbered BNSF 8100-8199 in 2007-2008 |
| Conrail Consolidated Rail Corporation The Consolidated Rail Corporation, commonly known as Conrail , was the primary Class I railroad in the Northeast U.S. between 1976 and 1999. The federal government created it to take over the potentially profitable lines of bankrupt carriers, including the Penn Central Transportation Company and... |
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 Soo Line Railroad The Soo Line Railroad is the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway , controlled through the Soo Line Corporation, and one of seven U.S. Class I railroads. Although it is named for the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste... |
5 | 6058-6062 | |
| Union Pacific Union Pacific Railroad The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman.... |
281 | 6085-6365 | Renumbered to 2240-2520 except 6106, 6165, 6300, 6341 |