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The EMD GA8 was an export diesel locomotive designed by GM-EMD in the late 1950s as a simplified design for use on overseas railways with light rail and sharp curves.[1] At the time of its introduction it was described as an extremely lightweight road locomotive capable of handling passenger or freight trains and switching.[2] The locomotive is notable for its use of freight car trucks that are driven by cardan shafts and two traction motors attached to the underframe. Measuring 32 feet 6 inches, they are equipped with an 8-567C prime mover capable of producing 875 bhp or 800 hp traction.[1] Late model GA8 locomotives were equipped with an 8-567E prime mover which is a 645 block (introduced in 1965) fitted with 567 power assemblies. Due to the design, most servicing and maintenance could be done without removing the traction motors from the underframe or trucks of the locomotive. The units were built without multiple unit connection capability so electrical components are kept to a minimum.[1]

EMD GA8
NdeM No. 5406 in 1966
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GM-EMD La Grange, Illinois, USA Model GA8 Build date December 1958 - February 1968 Total produced 94
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Driver dia. 32 in (813 mm) Wheelbase 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) (Each truck) Length 32 ft 6 in (9.91 m) Width 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) Height 12 ft 10+1⁄2 in (3.92 m) High clearance cab or 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Low clearance cab Axle load 13T Loco weight 104,000 lb (47,170 kg) (52T) Prime mover GM 8-567C, GM 8-567E (post 1965) Engine type V8 2-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Traction motors Two D75MC DC Cylinders 8 Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air or Vacuum schedule 26-LA
Performance figures Maximum speed 45 mph (72 km/h) Power output 800 hp (600 kW)
Career Locale North America, Central America, South America, Africa, East Asia Disposition Many scrapped, some preserved, others still operating

The EMD GL8 was a derivative design introduced in 1960 that is similar to the GA8 but used standard B-B or A1A-A1A trucks and was equipped with multiple unit capability. The EMD GA8 prototype demonstrator unit was built in late 1958 or early 1959 [3] and export customer production commenced in 1960. The GA8 demonstrator also attracted considerable attention from several US railroads,[2] although ultimately none would ever purchase the locomotive for domestic use. Several countries purchased the locomotive[4] and examples are still in operation today.

Original Owners

Argentina

• 15 Sarmiento Railway 5551-5565. The 5554 and 5561 locomotive, receive change gauge and transferred to the Urquiza line.

Chile

• 3 Antofagasta y Bolivia 950-952

Colombia

• 2 National Railways of Colombia 501-502

El Salvador

• 16 International Railways of Central America, El Salvador Division, later Ferrocarriles Nacionales de El Salvador (National Railways of El Salvador) 851-866

Mexico

• 22 Coahuila y Zacatecas 800-802; NdeM 5400-5416; Unidos de Yucatán 204-205

Peru

• 3 Cerro de Pasco 21-23

South Africa

• 4 Anglo-American Corp. 1-2; Union Lime 1-2

South Korea

• 2 Fluor Corp. (No #); Korean Oil 3

Taiwan

• 21 Taiwan Railway Administration S301-S321

United States

• 1 Electro-Motive Division demonstrator

Zambia

• 5 Nchanga Consol Copper 8-12

Gallery

References

External links

• Media related to EMD GA8 locomotives at Wikimedia Commons
• GA8 Photo
• EMD GA8 demonstrator

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