EMD GT26 Series

With the introduction of the EMD 645 Series engine now replacing the EMD 567 Series engine in 1967, the locomotive model designation number changed by adding 10 to a similar predecessor model (example: the G12 - 567 engined, now became the G22 - 645 engined). To meet customer demands for a high-horsepower model, EMD created the G16: A longer, six-axle version of the EMD G12 equipped with Flexicoil Type-C trucks and a larger engine with increased horsepower. A turbocharged variation also was available, designating the model as EMD GT16

However, as the EMD 645 Series engine was now in production, the G16 now became the GT26 equipped with a turbocharger. EMD applied the six axle (C) designation to further separate the model from any four-axle models similarly produced.

Several models were introduced:

• GT26CW
• GT26CWP
• GT26CW-2
• GT26CW-2A
• GT26CW-2B
• GT26HCW-2
• GT26MC
• GT26CU-2
• GT26CU-MP
• GT36CU-MP
• GT36CW
• GT36HCW

 

The EMD GT26CW first appeared in 1967. Unlike its turbocharged predecessor the GT16, the GT26CW was identified with a W suffix which indicated that this model had traction motors that could fit the locomotive's axles from Indian gauge to Irish Gauge rails; thus Wide would be the understood term for the traction motors.

Production spanned from October 1967 to October 1988.

Beginning on January 1, 1972, export customers now had the option to purchase EMD Dash 2 electronics on new orders of locomotives. Customers who did purchase EMD Dash 2 electronics had the -2 suffix applied to the end of the locomotive's model designation. The GT26CW-2 made its debut in 1972, but by the mid-1980s, two new designations were added based on mechanical/electrical improvements after the -2 suffix: Type A and Type B.

Production spanned from September 1972 to (Unknown) 2006.

To provide high horsepower in the passenger service, EMD installed Vapor Clarkson boilers for Head End Power on the GT26 series. Customers who purchased locomotives with Head End Power had the H suffix applied after the GT26 designation. Designated GT26HCW-2, this model was only purchased by Algeria's National Railway.

Production spanned from December 1989 to October 1994.

One of the earliest South African Narrow Gauge export customers for the GT26 Series, the South African Railways purchased custom built GT26MC locomotives that were equipped with lightweight frames shorter than standard a GT26 frame by 1 ft (304.8 mm) as well as a six axle (C) interlinked trucks.

The locomotives received the M suffix which identifies the lightweight frame as well as Universal type traction motors for 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) rail operation; thus Metric would be the understood term.

Production spanned from August 1971 to August 1982.

 

The EMD GT26CU-2 first appeared in 1976. Unlike its turbocharged predecessor the GT16, the GT26CU-2 was identified with a U suffix which indicated that this model had traction motors that could fit the locomotive's axles from Metre gauge to Irish gauge rails; thus Universal would be the understood term for the traction motors.

Production spanned from May 1976 to August 1992.

In 1990, the GT26 Series made an unusual departure with the use of microprocessor equipped technology. Customers who purchased locomotives equipped with microprocessors were identified by a -MP suffix added after the model designation. Only the Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas was the sole purchaser of the GT26CU-MP locomotive model for use on its Narrow Gauge (U) rail lines. These locomotives are easily identified due to their full-length fuel tank, disappearance of the battery box cabinet, and a rectangular windshield on the engineer's side of the cab. Internally, the locomotive's standard control stand was now replaced with a short desktop control stand.

Production spanned from August 1990 to September 1991.

With the introduction of the 16-645F3B engine for export use, the 26 Series was now identified as the 36 Series, by adding a Further 10 to the predecessor model. Only Zambia Railways purchased the GT36 series with six axle (C) universal traction motors (U) and microprocessor (-MP) controlled computer electronics – designating the model as GT36CU-MP.

Production spanned from October to November 1992.

Made for Algeria's SNTF Standard Gauge Network in 2007. CW is for Freight and HCW for is Passenger duties, painted in Orange and Sky-Blue Liveries Respectively. The locomotives are classed as 060-DR in the Freight series and 060-DS in the Passenger series. Their design is made very much similar to Indian Railways' Broad Gauge GT46MAC (WDG-4) and GT46PAC (WDP-4) locomotives, except the Gauge Difference and that they have a 16-645F3B, with DC Traction, rather than the 16-710G3B/C (EMD 710) with AC Traction used in the WDP4/WDG4, being the Second set of models in the GT36 series, nearly 15 years after the GT36CU-MP's construction ended.

• GT36CW/HCW in Algeria
•  
  SNTF Class 060 DR (GT36 CW)
•  
  SNTF Class 060 DS (GT36 HCW)

• Iranian locomotives

• EMD GT26CW Data Sheet by Jean-Denis Bachand
• Electro-Motive Division Export Models
• Astilleros Argentinos Rio de la Plata S.A. Export Models
• Henschel und Sohn GmbH Export Models
• Türkiye Lokomotif ve Motor Sanayii A.Ş Export Models
• Equipamentos Villares S.A. Export Models
• General Motors Diesel Division Export Models
• Hyundai Rolling Stock Company Export Models
• Material Y Construcciones S.A. Export Models
• General Motors South Africa Export Models
• Clyde Engineering Export Models

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD GT26 locomotives.