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Western Railroad Discussion > SD50=junk, GP50=?


Date: 06/04/01 06:55
SD50=junk, GP50=?
Author: robjacox

With all the reported reliability problems the EMD SD50 has, and the UP starting to retire them while older SD40-2's still soldier on, how are the GP50's fairing?

The BNSF has quite a few GP50's still apparently operating fine, and the UP has inherited them from the C&NW and Mopac. How unreliable have the UP's GP50's been, and are they on the same retirement schedule as their SD50's?



Date: 06/04/01 08:37
RE: SD50=junk, GP50=?
Author: kmumaw

I know BN had major reliability problems with there GP50's so as a way to reduce stress on the engines they reduced the HP to 3300. Sometimes you will see them refered to as GP53's.
Kevin



Date: 06/04/01 10:38
RE: SD50=junk, GP50=?
Author: crazy_nip

yes, BN had alot of problems with GP50's too... they reduced their HP to 3300 or 3000, to solve their engine problems, i would not expect many 50's to be around for much longer



Date: 06/04/01 12:14
RE: SD50=junk, GP50=?
Author: kmumaw

BN or BNSF has already sold some GP50's who lease expired. This was a few years ago and the ones they got rid of were all ordered by the FRISCO.



Date: 06/04/01 13:01
GP-53
Author: brian

So that's what I was on the other day. Could have swore it was a GP-50, but with only 3000 HP? I checked the blue card and it was called a GP-53. I was still confused becouse I had never heard of one before. Thanks, now I know.

Brian



Date: 06/04/01 14:46
RE: GP-53
Author: powerbraker1

These babies still had the paper tags on them when I ran them from Houston to DeQuincy. The extra 500 hp was welcome on good, dry rail, and was worthless on old rail or wet rail. Also, I didn't like the way the wheel creep circuitry let the wheels grind the rail before backing off on the load. Kind of reminded me of the GP35s- good engines when everything was working, but not good in a pinch.



Date: 06/04/01 18:07
RE: GP-53
Author: robjacox

Are all the problems with a GP/SD50 in the 645F prime mover? In addition to the GP50's wheelslip problems? Seems that a GP or SD50 derated even to 3000 hp should be as good, if not better, than as GP or SD40-2. Or are they odd-ball enough that no one will want to deal with them with all the 40-2's available.

Just curious.

Rob



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