EMD GP15-1

Infobox Locomotive
name=EMD GP15-1
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=RailGauge|ussg


caption=NPBL #1435 is an EMD GP15-1 owned by the Norfolk Southern Railway (ex-Conrail) operating on the Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line in Chesapeake, Virginia.
builder=General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
aarwheels=B-B
cylindercount=V12
primemover=EMD 645E
builddate=June 1976 – March 1982
buildmodel=GP15-1
locale=North America
topspeed=
weight=246,000 lb (111,500 kg)
tractiveeffort=47,000 lbf (209 kN)
length=56 ft 2 in (17.12 m)
enginetype=2-stroke diesel
poweroutput=1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
fuelc
gal
totalproduction=310
locale=United States
enginetype=2-stroke diesel
aspiration=Roots blower
cylindersize=9.1 in × 10 in
(215.5 mm × 231.1 mm)
displacement=7,740 in³ (126.8 L)
transmission=DC generator,
DC traction motors
locobrakes=Straight air
trainbrakes=26-L air

The EMD GP15-1 is a 4-axle diesel 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 horsepower (1,119 kW). The GP15-1 uses a 50' 9" frame, has a wheelbase of 29' 9" and has a length over couplers of 54' 11"

A total of 310 units were built for American railroads.

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; and
* 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, and giving them the nickname "baby tunnel motors".

A number of GP15-1s remain in service today for yard work and light road duty.

Original Owners

References

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Further reading

* Sperandeo, Andy. (1990). "The EMD GP15-1: EMD's Down-Sized Switcher." "Model Railroader" 57 (1) 110–115.

External links

* [http://mopac.org/ros.1981.GP15-1.asp Missouri Pacific Railroad GP15-1 Locomotive Roster]