EMD GL8

The EMD GL8 is an export diesel-electric locomotive introduced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) in 1960. They have been designed as light locomotives with a low axle loading. Measuring 36 feet 2 inches over the end sills, they are equipped an EMD 8-567CR engine producing 875 hp (652 kW) for traction, driving four traction motors in either A1A-A1A or B-B flexicoil trucks. The EMD GA8 is a derivative designed for very light lines with extremely sharp curves using frame mounted traction motors and freight car trucks.

EMD GL8
An ALL EMD GL8
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GM-EMD La Grange, Illinois, USA Model GL8 Build date June 1960 - July 1965 Total produced B-B version: 96 A1A-A1A version: 53
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B or A1A-A1A 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 3 in (1,600 mm) 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) Driver dia. 40 in (1,016 mm) Length 36 ft 2 in (11.02 m) Width 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m) Height 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m) High clearance cab or 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Low clearance cab Prime mover GM 8-567CR Engine type V8 2-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots blower Cylinders 8 Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air or Vacuum schedule 26-LA or 27-LA
Performance figures Maximum speed 124km/h 77.05 mph Power output 875 hp (652 kW)
Career Disposition Many scrapped, some preserved, others still operating

Several countries have purchased GL8 locomotives.

Original owners

A1A-A1A version

• 12 Taiwan, 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
  • 12 Taiwan Railway Administration S201–S212 (S201-S207 are the first production GL8 locomotives, which have the locomotive bell mounted on the top of the engine compartment, a feature unique to these locomotives)
• 41 East Pakistan, (now Bangladesh)
  • 41 East Bengal Railways 2201–2241 (1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)) Still operational with Bangladesh Railway.

B-B version

• 69 Brazil, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in):
  • 8 Rede Mineira de Viação 2851–2858
  • 23 Companhia Mogiana de Estradas de Ferro 51–73
  • 5 Estrada de Ferro Noroeste do Brasil 1001–1005
  • 18 Rede de Viação Paraná-Santa Catarina 1401–1418
  • 15 Estrada de Ferro Sorocabana 3601–3615
• 15 Republic of Ireland, 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
  • 15 Córas Iompair Éireann 121 Class B121–B135
• 12 Tunisia, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) and / or 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
  • 12 Société Nationale de Chemins de Fer Tunisiens 040DF351–040DF362

C-C version

• 12 Australia, 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
  • 12 Queensland Railways 1700 class 1700-1711 (Built by Clyde Engineering)

Gallery

• 
  Taiwan Railway Administration S210
• 
  Bangladesh Railway 2214
• 
  Córas Iompair Éireann 134
• 
  Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Tunisiens 040-DF-353

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives

External links

• The Unofficial EMD Homepage GL8 orders page