EMD GA8

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EMD GA8
NdeM 5406 (27443008661).jpg
NdeM No. 5406 in 1966
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder GM-EMD La Grange, Illinois, USA
ModelGA8
Build dateDecember 1958 - February 1968
Total produced94
Specifications
Configuration:
   AAR B-B
Gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm)
Trucks AAR standard
Driver dia.32 in (813 mm)
Wheelbase 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) (Each truck)
Length32 ft 6 in (9.91 m)
Width8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)
Height12 ft 10+12 in (3.92 m) High clearance cab or 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Low clearance cab
Axle load 13 t (12.8 long tons; 14.3 short tons)
Loco weight104,000 lb (47,170 kg) (52T)
Prime mover GM 8-567C, GM 8-567E (post 1965)
Engine type V8 2-stroke diesel
Aspiration Roots blower
Alternator GM D14 DC
Traction motors Two D75MC DC
Cylinders 8
Transmission63:14 gear ratio
Loco brake Straight air &
Disc brake on drive shaft
Train brakes Air or Vacuum schedule 26-LA
Performance figures
Maximum speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Power output800 hp (600 kW)
Career
LocaleNorth America, Central America, South America, Africa, East Asia
DispositionMany scrapped, some preserved, others still operating

The EMD GA8 was an export diesel locomotive designed by GM-EMD in the late 1950s as a simplified design for use on overseas railways with light rail and sharp curves. [1] At the time of its introduction it was described as an extremely lightweight road locomotive capable of handling passenger or freight trains and switching. [2] The locomotive is notable for its use of freight car trucks that are driven by cardan shafts and two traction motors attached to the underframe. Measuring 32 feet 6 inches, they are equipped with an 8-567C prime mover capable of producing 875 bhp or 800 hp traction. [1] Late model GA8 locomotives were equipped with an 8-567E prime mover which is a 645 block (introduced in 1965) fitted with 567 power assemblies. Due to the design, most servicing and maintenance could be done without removing the traction motors from the underframe or trucks of the locomotive. The units were built without multiple unit connection capability so electrical components are kept to a minimum. [1]

Contents

The EMD GL8 was a derivative design introduced in 1960 that is similar to the GA8 but used standard B-B or A1A-A1A trucks and was equipped with multiple unit capability. The EMD GA8 prototype demonstrator unit was built in late 1958 or early 1959 [3] and export customer production commenced in 1960. The GA8 demonstrator also attracted considerable attention from several US railroads, [2] although ultimately none would ever purchase the locomotive for domestic use. Several countries purchased the locomotive [4] and examples are still in operation today.

Original Owners

Argentina

Chile

Colombia

El Salvador

Mexico

Peru

South Africa

South Korea

Taiwan

United States

Zambia

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The EMD G18 was 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 was 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 was the G18B. They are powered by an EMD 8-645E prime mover rated at 1100 bhp and 1000 hp for traction and were produced with A1A-A1A or B-B trucks.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "American Export Unit", Diesel Railway Traction , p. 470, 1959
  2. 1 2 Sawyer, R. Tom, "Locomotive Progress", "Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine", p. 24, 1959
  3. "EMD Export Page".
  4. http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/ga8.htm GA8 Order Summary