The EMD G18 is an export locomotive introduced by GM-EMD in the late 1960s. The standard EMD suffixes applied after the G18 designation to indicate if the customer purchased locomotives with specific traction motors to fit narrow gauge (U) or broad gauge (W) rails. An L indicates a locomotive built with a lightweight frame, and 6 indicates A1A-A1A trucks. The similar EMD GA18 is a G18 designed as an extremely light locomotive with low axle loading and used freight car trucks driven by a cardan shaft and underframe mounted traction motors like its predecessor, the EMD GA8. A further variation is the G18B. They are powered by an EMD 8-645E prime mover rated at 1100bhp and 1000hp for traction[1] and were produced with A1A-A1A or B-B trucks.
16 G18W locomotives were built for the Saudi Government Railways Organization (later the Saudi Railways Organization) in three separate batches, starting in 1968 with five locomotives, numbered 1006-1010.[3][4] Five more were built in 1974, numbered 1011-1015, and the last six (nos. 1016-1021) were built in 1976.[3][4] The locomotives had a power output of 1100 horsepower.[4]
South Africa
19 Anglo American Corp. (1 unit no #); 1–3; 21–25; Iron & Steel Corp. 36–42; 661.42-661.44
Spain
4 Minero Siderúrgica de Ponferrada 1001-1004
G18B/M Original Owners
A GL18B locomotive (SNTF class 040-DH) in Algeria in May 2025.
Algeria
The G18B and G18M found most of their success in Algeria, where they were purchased as light freight and shunting locomotives.
The first purchase by the SNTF, Algeria's national railway company, of G18 locomotives was for 30 GL18M locomotives split into two classes: the 040-WDK class, which consisted of five units with an AAR configuration of C-C,[3] and the 040-YDR (later reclassed YDA) class, which consisted of twenty-five units with an AAR configuration of A1A-A1A.[5] These locomotives were all built between July and September 1977.[5] The 040-YDA class is notable because it was built to run on 1055 mm (Algerian gauge) rails. As of late 2025, several locomotives of the 040-YDA class remain in operation on the last remaining 1055 mm gauge line in Algeria.[6] Several 040-YDA locomotives have also been converted to standard gauge and reclassed as the 040-WDA class.[7]
The second order was placed in 1990 for five standard-gauge GL18B locomotives. These locomotives, classed as the 040-DH, were built largely to the same specifications as the previous order. The five locomotives were built from March to May 1990.[8][9] Eight more locomotives were built in late 1993,[3] bringing the total number of 040-DH class locomotives to 13. A third order of GL18B locomotives, known as the 040-DJ class, was later also placed. A total of fifteen 040-DJ locomotives were built between September and December 2000,[3] featuring an updated design over the previous 040-DH class.[citation needed]
References
↑ Zurnamer, Bernard (1987). Electric And Diesel Locomotives of South Africa. p.74.
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