The GE U20C Diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation Systems

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...

 as an export model roadswitcher in 1964. It was powered by the 8-cylinder FDL-8T engine.[1]
This locomotive is used worldwide with many variations and modifications. Different engines may be used, e.g. 7FDL8 and 7FDL12. Like the other members of the Universal series

GE Universal Series locomotives

The GE Universal Series locomotives were diesel locomotives launched by GE in early 1956.Initially, there were nine U-series models: U4B, U6B, U9B, U9C, U12B, U12C, U18B, U18C and UD18B. They were designed to be readily adaptable to different track gauges for export markets. The U5B and U8B...

, it is compatible with all track gauges.

Indonesian U20C

A unique modification is the wide cab version of the 2000 HP U20C used on the 1067mm gauge Indonesian railroad and operated by PT Kereta Api (Indonesian National Railway Company). Unlike other models of the U20C, with short hood cabin, the Indonesian U20C features a full-width cabin, for comfort and better sight of track and signals. Its classified as CC203 by Indonesian National Railway Company. The wide cab is made in Australia.

Construction

Between 1995 and 2000, 41 units of this locomotive type were delivered to the Indonesia Railroad and numbered CC203 01-41. Numbers 13-41 were built locally by GE Locomotive Indonesia, a joint company between Indonesian Railway Industry (PT INKA) and GE Transportation. There's other U20C delivered, and there's some changes with radiator exhaust. For the first generation, both exhaust is large, but in the second and third generation, it becomes smaller. It also applied on C20EMP or in U20C Wide cab.

Use

All locomotives are still in operation, and are allocated for pulling express passenger trains, but in special conditions they pull 3rd class and sometimes freight trains as well. In the year 2000 GE Locomotive Indonesia exported one of their U20C locomotives to the Philippines for used as a Port locomotive. The loco ran well but, in the end, it was sold to a mining company in Australia and is still operating today. The 7FDL8 engine is still used.

C20EMP

In the year 2005, GE Locomotive Indonesia introduced a brand new locomotive with full computer control. It was given type C20EMP but still uses the 7FDL8 engine. The overall shape is similar to other Indonesian U20Cs, but it has a Brightstar Sirius on-board computer to control the propulsion and transmission, for better fuel economy and lifetime. Until today, 10 units have been delivered and road numbered between CC204 08-17. The power rating is 2150 HP. CC204 01-04 is modified on 2000, finished at 2003. Because the result is very good, once again, PT Kereta Api, modified another 3 GEU20C to CC204 numbered as CC204 05-07. Then, the brand-new C20EMP delivered from GE and assembled at PT INKA. These C20EMP numbered as CC204 08-11 and will be numbered as CC204 12-17. CC204 08-09 delivered at 2008, CC204 10-11 delivered at 2009.