CSXT 5842, a GE B36-7.
(YamahaFreak at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
GE B36-7 DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The GE B36-7 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between January 1980 and September 1985. 222 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads and eight units were built for a Colombian coal mining operation. The units were designed as successors to GE's U36B's. Of the 230 locomotives built, 180 of them were built for two Eastern railroads - Seaboard System Railroad (which became part of CSX Transportation in 1986) and Conrail.
These 4-axle locomotives were powerful when introduced in 1980. When first built the units were rated at 3,600 hp (2,700 kW), later versions were rated at 3,750 hp (2,800 kW). They were designed for fast and priority service, moving intermodal and container trains.
Design
The B36-7 was developed from the B30-7, and externally is identical to its predecessor. The first 4 B36-7s were built for the Cotton Belt in January 1980, as modified B30-7s with increased horsepower and several new design features: according to Extra 2200 South magazine these units featured General Electric's new Sentry Adhesion System, a wheel slip detection system. These 3600 horsepower units also featured the new GE 752AF traction motor, the new GTA-24 traction alternator and 83:20 fine tooth gearing.
Conrail B36-7 5054 leads a freight train at Duncannon, PA.
(Roger Puta, courtesy Marty Bernard, railfan 44, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Production
Following the 4 Cotton Belt units, GE started official B36-7 production at its Erie, PA facility. The second order for B36-7s was built for the Santa Fe in October and November 1980. Between 1983 and 1985, Conrail, Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, and Seaboard System placed further B36-7 orders. Production ended in September 1985 when the final B36-7 was built for Seaboard.
Original owners
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | 16 | 7484-7499 | Some of the units were sold to British Columbia Railway, Renumbered 3604-3613. |
| Conrail | 60 | 5000-5059 | 5045 destroyed in the 1987 Maryland train collision and scrapped |
| Cerrejon Coal Project (Colombia) | 8 | 1001–1008 | |
| Seaboard System | 120 | 5806-5925 | To CSX; All retired as of Dec 2009. |
| Southern Railway | 6 | 3815-3820 | High hood. |
| Southern Pacific Transportation Company | 16 | 7754-7769 | |
| Cotton Belt | 4 | 7770-7773 |
AT&SF 7499 between the sidings of Becker and Sais, NM on the Belen Cutoff between Belen and the west end of Abo Canyon in August 1983.
(Roger Puta, courtesy Marty Bernard, railfan 44, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-electric
Builder: GE Transportation Systems
Model: B36-7
Build date: 1980 – 1985
Total produced: 230
Specifications
Configuration: AAR B-B
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Prime mover: GE 7FDL16
Aspiration: Turbocharged
Performance figures
Power output early: 3,600 hp (2,700 kW); late: 3,750 hp (2,800 kW)
Career
Locale: North America, South America
Disposition: Most scrapped. Several in service on short lines.
References:
- McDonnell, Greg (2002). Field guide to modern diesel locomotives. Waukesha, Wisc.: Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 26–29. ISBN 0-89024-607-6. OCLC 50411517.
- Marre, Louis A.; Pinkepank, Jerry A.; Drury, George H. (1995). The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide: A comprehensive reference manual to locomotives since 1972. Railroad Reference Series (Book 14). Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890242577.