EMD SW1200

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EMD SW1200
BN 251, an EMD SW1200, works the yard in Eola, Illinois (just east of Aurora)
Type and origin Power type Diesel–electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division, General Motors Diesel, Canada Model SW1200 Build date January 1954 – May 1966 Total produced 1,056
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge, Chile 5 ft (1,524 mm)(?), Panama 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, Brazil Prime mover EMD 12-567C Engine type V12 diesel Cylinders 12
Performance figures Power output 1,200 hp (890 kW)
Career Locale North America, South America Disposition Many scrapped, many still in use

An EMD SW1200 is a four-axle diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1954 and May 1966.^[1] Power is provided by an EMD 567C 12-cylinder engine, which generates 1,200 horsepower (890 kW). Additional SW1200 production was completed by General Motors Diesel in Ontario, Canada, between September 1955 and June 1964.

737 examples of this locomotive model were built for U.S. railroads, 287 were built for Canadian railroads,^[1] four were built for Brazilian railroads, 25 were built for a Chilean industrial firm, and three were built for the Panama Canal Railway.

The SW1200 was the third model of 1,200 hp SW series switchers built by EMD. It was a successor to the SW7 and SW9. Compared to its direct predecessor, the SW9, the SW1200 differed in that it used the improved and more reliable 567C engine, compared to the SW9's 567B engine. Late SW1200s built in 1966 were instead built with the 567E 12-cylinder engine. Most of the locomotive's external features were unchanged from the SW9, making distinguishing between the two models difficult.^[1]

SW1200 production began in January 1954, immediately after SW9 production came to an end the previous month. Production continued for 12 years until the last SW1200 left EMD's manufacturing facility in May 1966.^[1]

Like many EMD products, customers could customize their SW1200 orders. Several options were available, including Flexicoil trucks.^[1] A few units were built with dynamic brakes, featuring a large square box with a fan on top of the hood, right in front of the cab.

A cow–calf variation, the TR12, was cataloged, but none were built.

An SW1200RS (RS for road switcher) is a variation of the standard SW1200 that features large front and rear (on some units) numberboard housings, EMD Flexicoil B-B trucks, and larger fuel tanks for road switcher service. The majority of the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific SW1200 fleets were purchased as SW1200RS units. SW1200RS units were produced near the end of SW1200 production in the mid-1960s.^[1]

• EMD LWT12
• List of GMD Locomotives
• List of GM-EMD locomotives

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD SW1200 locomotives.

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
• Kristopans, Andre J. (September 10, 2014). "EMC/EMD 201A and 567 Switchers". Utah Rails.
• Kristopans, Andre J. (October 2, 2014). "General Motors Diesel". Utah Rails. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
• Kristopans, Andre J. (September 22, 2015). "GM Export Models". Utah Rails.