Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico EMD G16 7316 at Mexico City, DF, Mexico, December, 1978. Photographer: unknown.
NdeM bought 24 of these 1800 horsepower export units from EMD. NdeM 7300-7312 came in September, 1958, 7313-7322 arrived in July, 1960, and 7323 arrived in August.
These were used for very light duty lines inherited from private companies, who were forced to turn to the national government as they were sadly overwhelmed with red ink.
EMD sold 426 of these units all over the world, but these were the only ones that ever polished rails in North America.
(Craig Garver, Public domain, https://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalrailartist/51677651079/in/dateposted/)
EMD G16 DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The EMD G16 is a diesel locomotive built by General Motors in the US and under license by Clyde Engineering in Australia and MACOSA in Spain. It has been used in Australia, Brazil, Egyptian Railways, Hong Kong, Israel Railways, Mexico, Spain, Yugoslav Railways and on the successor Croatian Railways, Slovenian Railways, Serbian Railways, Macedonian Railways, Republika Srpska Railways, Kosovo Railways and Railways of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our concern on this site is with those units used in North America.
Mexico
In order to replace steam on the numerous light rail branches operated by the Ferrocarriles Nacionales de Mexico (N de M), EMD export models G12 and G16 were obtained. A total of 24 G16 units were built by EMD for the N de M, all equipped with dynamic brakes and introduced between August 1958 and July 1960, their running numbers being 7300 to 7323. The first thirteen units (Nr. 7300 to 7312) had close clearance cabs, and the last eleven units (Nr. 7313 to 7323) were delivered in 1960 and received a standard cab. No.7323 was pictured in 1963 with a standard cab, but appeared in 1974 with a close clearance cab, indicating that this unit was either rebuilt or more probably renumbered. Mexican railroaders nicknamed this locomotive as "Tlaconete", referring to the imperial salamander; it was the first engine that was painted in the olive green, red and white scheme that was kept until 1987.
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-electric
Builder: Electro-Motive Diesel – General Motors Diesel, Clyde Engineering, MACOSA
Model: G16
Build date: 1958–1972
Total produced: 426
Specifications
Configuration:
• AAR C-C
• UIC C'oC'o
Gauge: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) meter gauge; 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge; 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm); 1,668 mm (5 ft 5+21⁄32 in)
Length: 18.471 m (60 ft 7+1⁄4 in)
Locomotive weight: 119 tons (108 tonnes), (106 long tons) (Yugoslav subseries 000)
112 tonnes (110 long tons; 123 tons) (Yugoslav subseries 100)
Fuel capacity: 800 US gal; 3,028 litres (666 imp gal)
Prime mover: EMD 16-567C (Some changed to 16-645E)
Engine type: V16 diesel
Cylinders: 16
Cylinder size: 8.5 in × 10 in (216 mm × 254 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed: 124 km/h (77 mph)
Power output: 1,800 bhp (1,300 kW), 1,826 or 1,925 bhp (1,362 or 1,435 kW)
Tractive effort: 26,000 kgf (255.0 kN); 26,000 kgf (57,000 lbf) (Egypt & Israel)
Career
Numbers: HŽ-2061
Nicknames: "Kenedi" (former Yugoslavia), "Tlaconete" (Mexico)
Locale: Australia, Brazil, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Kosovo, Mexico, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain
