GMD GMDH-1

Last updated
GMD GMDH-1
DH GMD 6031 VFRGS-RF Guido Mota.jpg
VRFGS  ( pt ) 6031 operating in Brazil
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-hydraulic
BuilderGeneral Motors Diesel
Serial numberA1597, A1713, A1811–A1812
ModelGMDH1
Build date1955–1959
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  AAR B-B
 •  UIC B′B′
Length9.6 metres (31 ft)
Width3.05 metres (10.0 ft)
Height3.6 metres (12 ft)
Loco weightFirst two: 52 short tons (46 long tons; 47 t)
Last two: 74 short tons (66 long tons; 67 t)
Prime mover First two: 2 × Detroit Diesel 6-110
Last two: 2 × Detroit Diesel Series 71
Transmission Hydraulic
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Power outputFirst two: 600 hp (450 kW)
Last two: 800 hp (600 kW)
Career
Class GMDH-1, MDC-D6
NicknamesBlue Goose (GMDD 1001)
Disposition1 preserved, 1 in service, 2 scrapped

The GMD GMDH-1 is an experimental diesel-hydraulic switcher locomotive built by General Motors Diesel of Canada. With only four built between December 1955 to October 1959, the GMDH-1 operated for several companies in Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Pakistan.

Contents

History

Four locomotives were built as demonstrations by the General Motors Diesel of London, Ontario. [1] [2] The locomotives were built predominantly for the export market. [3] : 64  [4] : 5  Production on the GMDH-1 class started in December 1955 and ended in October 1959, [1] [5] alongside the GMD GMDH-3 being completed in January 1960. [1] The first two locomotives were each fitted with a pair of 6-cylinder Detroit Diesel series 110 engines, giving a combined 600 horsepower (450 kW), [4] : 5  [5] while the last two locomotives were fitted with a pair of series 71 engines with a combined 800 hp (600 kW). [5] The locomotives were also fitted with Torqmatic hydraulic transmissions and Torqmatic dynamic brakes. Multiple engines could be connected and controlled as multiple units if required. [2] : 231–234  The maximum speed the locomotives could operate at was 65 kilometres per hour (40 mph). [4] : 5 

First locomotive

The first locomotive, serial number A1597, was completed in December 1956 and numbered GMDD 1001. [6] The locomotive was originally painted in a two-tone blue and spent its first two years of service in demonstration runs and on display. The locomotive was nicknamed the "Blue Goose" in reference to its livery. [7] : 343  In April 1958, the locomotive was repainted yellow and became the GMD plant switcher. [5] [7] : 343  GMDD 1001 was replaced by EMD SW1500 113, and was retired in November 1975. [7] : 343  The locomotive was given to the Canadian Railroad Historical Association in July 1977, and passed into the collection of the Canada Science and Technology Museum in November 1986 after being restored by Al Howlett of London, Ontario. [8] [7] : 343 

Second locomotive

The second locomotive, A1713, was completed September 1958, and was numbered GMDD 600. It was sold to Brazil, where it first ran on the Estrada de Ferro Leopoldina  ( pt ), a part of the Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana  ( pt ). [9] On January 2, 1960, the Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana sold the locomotive to the Rede de Viação Paraná-Santa Catarina  ( pt ). [10] [11] The locomotive was last sold to the Rede Ferroviária Federal Sociedade Anônima, still numbered 600, and transferred to the Viação Férrea do Rio Grande do Sul  ( pt ), renumbered 6031. [12] [13] The locomotive was subsequently scrapped. [14] [5]

Third locomotive

The third locomotive, A1811, was completed in September 1959 and numbered GMDD 800. GMDD 800 passed through a succession of owners; it was first sold to Electric Reduction Company of Canada Industries Limited (reporting mark ERCO), where it was given a new plate dated May 1961 and renumbered 89. ERCO sold it to Ennis-Paikin Steel Ltd.—a railroad equipment dealer located in Hamilton, Ontario [15] —in October 1972. The locomotive was then sold to Limestone Quarries Ltd. of Uhthoff, Ontario [16] in October 1973, renumbered 3-6902. It was sold again to Ennis-Paikin in September 1978, who resold it in February 1980 to Raritan River Steel of Perth Amboy, renumbered 3. After being rebuilt by Peacock Bros. of Edmonton, the locomotive was sold to Hudson Bay Oil & Gas in Kaybob, Alberta, also numbered 3, in January 1981. [17] [18] [16] Hudson Oil & Gas was bought by Dome Petroleum later in 1981, which was later bought by Amoco in 1988, for whom the locomotive operated. [19] [16] It was then sold to SemCAMS, where it operates as of 2010. [16]

Fourth locomotive

The fourth and last locomotive, A1812, was completed October 1959 and numbered as GMDD 801. The locomotive was purchased by the contracting firm Guy F. Atkinson Company and renumbered 28151. In May 1962, the locomotive was re-gauged to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge and shipped to Pakistan, where it was reclassified as an MDC-D6 while keeping its number 28151. [20] [21] It worked for a construction company to assist in the building of the Mangla Dam. [5] [20] [3] : 64  The locomotive resided in Pakistan until it was subsequently scrapped. [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN   978-0-89024-026-7.
  2. 1 2 Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine. Vol. 150–153. 1961. p. 231-234.
  3. 1 2 Canadian Transportation. Southam Business Publications. 1962.
  4. 1 2 3 General Motors Overseas Operations (PDF). General Motors Locomotives. p. 5. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Lustig, David (October 15, 2023). "The GMDH1 diesel-hydraulic locomotives". trains.com. Classic Trains. Archived from the original on November 26, 2025. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  6. ↑ "GMD 1500 to 1599". The UNofficial EMD Homepage. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Canadian Rail (PDF). Vol. 358. November 1981. p. 343. Retrieved November 26, 2025.
  8. ↑ Churcher, Colin. "Ontario" (PDF). Industrial Locomotives in Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-12-31. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  9. ↑ "Em demonstração na E.F. Sorocabana". Nova Locomotiva Diesel (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Revista Ferroviária. 1960.
  10. ↑ "Locomotivas da RVPSC". GMD GMDH-1 (in Portuguese). Associação Paranaense de Ferreomodelismo e Memória Ferroviária. Retrieved 2014-03-09.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ↑ "Agora em demonstração na R.V. Paraná - Santa Catarina". Nova Locomotiva Diesel Hidráulica (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Revista Ferroviária. 1960.
  12. ↑ "GMD 1700 to 1799". The UNofficial EMD Homepage. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  13. ↑ Kristopans, Andre (2014-10-02). "GM Diesel Canada" . Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  14. ↑ Russell, Larry. "EMD Demonstrators Page 3". GM Export Site. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  15. ↑ "Ennis Paikin Steel Ltd". Old Time Trains. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  16. 1 2 3 4 "Limestone Quarries Ltd". Old Time Trains. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  17. ↑ Churcher, Colin. "Alberta" (PDF). Industrial Locomotives in Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-12-31. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  18. ↑ "GMD 1800 to 1899". The UNofficial EMD Homepage. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  19. ↑ Othen, Pat; Othen, David. "Unusual Canadian Locomotives". Archived from the original on 2006-08-14. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  20. 1 2 "Indian/South Asian Industrial Locos". Indian Railways Fan Club (IRFCA). Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  21. ↑ "EMD Demonstrators". The Diesel Shop. Retrieved 2025-11-28.


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