EMD GP20
An
EMD GP20 is a 4-axle diesel
locomotive built by
General Motors Electro-Motive Division between November
1959 and April
1962. Power was provided by an
EMD 567D2 16-
cylinder turbocharged engine which generated 2000
horsepower (1.5 MW).
260 examples of this locomotive model were built for
American railroads.
Units built for the Great Northern were equipped with high short hoods and set up to run long-hood forward.
While the
EMD SD24 with six axles was producing 2400 Hp with an engine of the same
displacement, the four axle GP20 was limited to 2000 Hp by the capabilities of the
traction motors of the time. In appearance the locomotive was similar to a late version
GP9 or
GP18 but with the two exhaust stacks over the engine replaced by a single stack foreword over the exit of the
turbocharger, in common with later turbocharged locomotives. An identification detail of the GP20 is the small radiator fan added ahead of the large aft fan.
EMD was initially hesitant to turbocharge their 567-series diesel engine, but was spurred on to do so following successful tests made by
Union Pacific in the form of their
Omaha GP20 units.
Current owners of GP20s include the
Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway (TP&W) and the
New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad (NYSW). The Susquehanna's GP20s numbered 2062, 2064 and 2066 came from the Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway and are ex
Santa Fe units.
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