EMD GL8

Type and originPower typeDiesel-electricBuilderGM-EMD La Grange, Illinois, USAModelGL8Build dateJune 1960 - July 1965Total producedB-B version: 96 A1A-A1A version: 53

Type and origin

Power typeDiesel-electric

BuilderGM-EMD La Grange, Illinois, USA

ModelGL8

Build dateJune 1960 - July 1965

Total producedB-B version: 96 A1A-A1A version: 53

SpecificationsConfiguration:• AARB-B or A1A-A1A Gauge1,000 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)Length36 ft 2 in (11.02 m)Width8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)Height12 ft 7 in (3.84 m) High clearance cab or 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Low clearance cabPrime mover GM 8-567CREngine typeV8 2-stroke dieselAspirationRoots blower Cylinders8Loco brake Straight air Train brakes Air or Vacuum schedule 26-LA or 27-LA

Specifications

Configuration

• AARB-B or A1A-A1A

Gauge1,000 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)

Length36 ft 2 in (11.02 m)

Width8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)

Height12 ft 7 in (3.84 m) High clearance cab or 12 ft 0 in (3.66 m) Low clearance cab

Prime moverGM 8-567CR

Engine typeV8 2-stroke diesel

AspirationRoots blower

Cylinders8

Loco brakeStraight air

Train brakesAir or Vacuum schedule 26-LA or 27-LA

Performance figuresMaximum speed124km/h 77.05 mphPower output875 hp (652 kW)

Performance figures

Maximum speed124km/h 77.05 mph

Power output875 hp (652 kW)

CareerDispositionMany scrapped, some preserved, others still operating

Career

DispositionMany scrapped, some preserved, others still operating

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.

Several countries have purchased GL8 locomotives.

Original owners

A1A-A1A version

12 Taiwan, 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 12 Taiwan Railway 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