EMD GP15-1
Union Pacific Yard (UPY) 742, a GP15-1 idles in Union Pacific's Global 1 intermodal yard in Chicago, IL.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
ModelGP15-1
Build dateJune 1976 – March 1982
Total produced310
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length54 ft 11 in (16.74 m)
Loco weight246,000 lb (111,600 kg)
Fuel capacity2,400 imp gal (11,000 L; 2,900 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 12-645E
Engine typeV12 2-stroke diesel
AspirationRoots blower
Displacement7,740 cu in (126.8 L)
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9.1 in × 10 in (231 mm × 254 mm)
Transmissiondiesel electric
Loco brakeStraight air
Train brakes26-L air
Performance figures
Power output1,500 hp (1,100 kW)
Tractive effort47,000 lbf (210 kN)
Career
LocaleUnited States

The EMD GP15-1 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between June 1976 and March 1982. Intended to provide an alternative to the rebuilding programs that many railroads were applying to their early road switchers, it is generally employed as a yard switcher or light road switcher. This locomotive is powered by a 12-cylinder EMD 645E engine, which generates 1,500 hp (1,119 kW). The GP15-1 uses a 50-foot-9-inch (15.47 m) frame, has a wheelbase of 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m) and has a length over couplers of 54 ft 11 in (16.74 m). A total of 310 units were built for American railroads. A number of GP15-1s remain in service today for yard work and light road duty. The radiator section is similar to those found on the EMD SD40T-2 and EMD SD45T-2 "tunnel motors," leading some observers to incorrectly identify the units as such or as GP15Ts, and giving them the nickname "baby tunnel motors".[1]

Original owners

Missouri Pacific Railroad

The Missouri Pacific Railroad purchased more units than the other three buyers combined. For spotting purposes, the MP models have a number of visually distinguishing features, though not all were applied consistently to the MP units:

  • The MP units have a grab iron ladder mounted on both sides of the long hood end;
  • MP's initial order of GP15-1s rode on Blomberg M trucks rather than the more common Blomberg B (all subsequent units were delivered with Blomberg B trucks) — and, while the standard Blomberg B truck carries two brake shoes per wheel, many MP units were equipped with only a single brake shoe per wheel;
  • #1555–#1574 were outfitted with the standard 81" nose, while the remaining units (all built in December 1976 or later) came with an 88" nose;

Complete list

Railroad[2] Quantity Notes
Chicago and North Western Railway 25 Most in service with Union Pacific Railroad
Conrail 100 #1600–1699
all retired by CSX Transportation and sold to GMTX.
All retired by Norfolk Southern Railway and sold to LTEX.
Missouri Pacific Railroad 160 Most in service with Union Pacific Railroad
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway 25 #100–124 All have been retired by BNSF Railway. Some traded to GMTX for GP38-2's
Totals310

GP15T

EMD GP15T
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
ModelGP15T
Build dateOctober 1982 – April 1983
Total produced28
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Driver dia.40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve120 ft (36.6 m)
Length:
​
 • Over couplers54 ft 11 in (16.74 m)
Width10 ft 3+1⁄8 in (3.127 m) (over hand rail supports)
Height15 ft 2+1⁄2 in (4.636 m)
Loco weight244,000 lb (110,677 kg)
Fuel capacity2,400 US gal (9,085 L; 1,998 imp gal)
Lubricant cap.135 US gal (511 L; 112 imp gal)
Coolant cap.210 US gal (795 L; 175 imp gal)
Sandbox cap.56 cu ft (1.59 m3) (basic)
72 cu ft (2.04 m3) (special)
Prime moverEMD 8-645E3C
RPM:​
 • RPM low idle235
 • RPM idle300
 • Maximum RPM904
Engine typeV8 2-stroke diesel
AspirationTurbocharger
GeneratorAR10-D14
Traction motors4×D77 ​
 • Continuous920 Amperes (with 62:15 gearing)
Cylinders8
Loco brakeStraight air, dynamic
Train brakesWestinghouse 26L air brake
Performance figures
Maximum speed53 mph (85 km/h) (with 65:12 gearing)
70 mph (110 km/h) (with 62:15 gearing)
76 mph (122 km/h) (with 61:16 gearing)
82 mph (132 km/h) (with 60:17 gearing)
Power output1,500 hp (1.12 MW)
Career
LocaleUnited States

EMD built 28 examples of a variant, the GP15T, between October 1982 and April 1983. It was a very close cousin to the GP15-1, but used a turbocharger in order to generate more power from a smaller engine. Power was provided by an 8-cylinder diesel engine that generated 1,500 hp (1.12 MW), the same as the GP15-1, but with four fewer cylinders.[1]

28 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads. The Chessie System received the majority of them as C&O 1500–1524 (25 units), while the rest went to the Apalachicola Northern in Florida as AN 720–722 (3 units).[2]

GP15AC

EMD GP15AC
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Build dateNovember and December 1982
Total produced34
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Prime moverEMD 12-645E
Career
LocaleUnited States

The GP15AC is a variant built between November and December 1982. This model differs from the GP15-1 due to Missouri Pacific specifying new AR10 AC alternators instead of rebuilt D32 DC generators. The only external difference between the GP15AC and the GP15-1 is a straight side sill (shared with the EMD GP15T) not related to the transmission difference.

34 examples of this locomotive model were built in total: 30 for Missouri Pacific Railroad, and four for Venezuela's IFE.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Foster, Gerald L. (1996). A field guide to trains of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. p. 30. ISBN 0-395-70112-0.
  2. 1 2 3 Sarberenyi, Robert. "GP15-1, GP15AC, and GP15T Roster". www.trainweb.org. Retrieved 3 August 2021.

Further reading

  • Sperandeo, Andy. "The EMD GP15-1: EMD's down-sized road switcher." Model Railroader, January 1990, 110–115.
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