EMD GP50

An EMD GP50 is a 4-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). It is powered by a 16-cylinder EMD 645F3B diesel engine, which can produce between 3,500 and 3,600 hp (2,610 and 2,685 kW). 278 examples of this locomotive were built by EMD between 1980 and 1985. BN 3110-3162 were all delivered with five cab seats, the final five of these having the cab lengthened 23 in (584 mm) vs. the standard EMD cab. The GP50 retains the same overall length of 59 feet 2 inches (18.03 meters) as the EMD GP38, EMD GP38-2, EMD GP39, EMD GP39-2, EMD GP40 and EMD GP40-2.

EMD GP50
A BN train westbound through Eola, Illinois, led by a GP50
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Model GP50 Build date 1980 – 1985 Total produced 278
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 40 in (1,000 mm) Wheelbase 43 ft 9 in (13.34 m) Length 59 ft 2 in (18.03 m) Width 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) Height 15 ft 7 in (4.75 m) Loco weight 250,000 lb (113,398 kg) Prime mover EMD 16-645F3B Engine type V16 diesel Cylinders 16
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power output 3,500–3,600 hp (2,610–2,685 kW) Tractive effort 65,000 lb (29,000 kg)

In 2015–2016 the Norfolk Southern Railway rebuilt 28 GP50s into the low-emission GP33ECO.[1] And in early 2016, Norfolk Southern rebuilt one GP50 into their first GP59ECO. These units, most of which utilized GP59 cores, have similar specifications as the earlier GP33ECO program but have been built without public funding contributing to their construction.

Original Owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	45	3810-3854	All now in service with BNSF Railway
Burlington Northern Railroad	63	3100-3162	3100-3109 ordered by St. Louis – San Francisco Railway, but delivered to BN. 3100 only one that received Frisco colors, though with BN number. Most now in service with BNSF Railway
Chicago and North Western Railway	50	5050-5099	To Union Pacific Railroad; since retired.
Missouri Pacific Railroad	30	3500-3529
Southern Railway	90	7003-7092	High hood units; passed to successor NS. All retired or rebuilt to different configurations, 28 being converted to GP33ECO.
Totals	278

Secondhand Owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Toledo Peoria and Western Railroad	4	5008, 5009, 5010, 5015	All units are ex-BN. 5010 is ex-SLSF.
Mississippi Export Railroad	1	68	68 is former CNW.
Massachusetts Coastal Railroad	1	2010	Ex-CNW 5098
Webb Asset Management (WAMX)	10	5001-5002, 5004, 5005, 5007-5008, 5010-5013	All ex-UP nee CNW.

References

1. "NS unveils first publicly funded GP33ECO locomotives". Trains. January 6, 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2015. (subscription required)

External links

• Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD GP39X, GP49, and GP50 Original Owners