UP, Council Bluffs IA, Dec 1966: GE U50 No. 47 sits with compartment doors open, revealing some of the inner workings.
The U50 used four two-axle trucks. The U50C used a pair of three-axle trucks. Photo by L. Sallee.
(Photo by L. Sallee, flickr.com/photos/lsallee/11435481945, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
GE U50C DIESEL-ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
The GE U50C was a 5,000 hp (3,700 kW) diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems. Each was powered by two 2,500 hp (1,860 kW) diesel engines.
Union Pacific No. 5002, one of 40 GE U50C diesel locomotives in freight service on the Union Pacific at the Hinkle refueling center. A Union Pacific Colorphoto.
(Audio-Visual Designs, Earlton, NY, Public domain via the W. Lenheim Collection)
History
40 were built between November 1969 and November 1971 solely for Union Pacific, which numbered them 5000 to 5039. The U50C used a pair of three-axle trucks instead of the four two-axle trucks used on the earlier U50. Again, these were reused trucks, this time from the later, 8,500 hp (6,300 kW) GE turbine locomotives.
Development of the U50C was to the same UP specification that produced the EMD DDA40X "Centennial" units—a requirement for a high power locomotive for the railroad's high-speed freight trains. The span-bolster B+B-B+B design was not suited to this service, and the requirement for power at speed rather than low-speed hauling meant six powered axles would be sufficient.
The design incorporated extensive weight saving features. GE replaced the 16-cylinder prime movers of the U50 with advanced 12-cylinder engines, lighter and shorter. The engines were reversed in orientation compared to the U50 so the radiator sections were at the middle of the locomotive instead of the ends of the carbody. The shorter length required a wider radiator section design, as on the U33B and U33C locomotives.
The U50C was not successful. The weight saving measures taken to make the locomotive able to use six axles rather than eight caused problems, especially in the electrical wiring; Aluminum wires instead of the regular copper had been used, which proved prone to overheating. The U50Cs had many electrical fires as well as other failures; the UP rewired one unit with copper experimentally and considered having an outside contractor replace the wiring on all the units, but decided that the problems as a whole were too serious. The trucks suffered from stress cracks in the cast frames; the engines frequently developed low oil pressure; the cooling water leaked, and the dynamic brake grids were prone to melting down.
A business downturn in 1976 proved the end of the U50C in service; all were withdrawn, although many were stored in serviceable condition. No return to service occurred, though five were lent out as stationary power generators during a coal miners' strike in early 1978. All were sold for scrap during 1977–1978.
Overview
Type and origin
Power type: Diesel-electric
Builder: General Electric
Model: U50C
Build date: 1969 - 71
Total produced: 40
Specifications
Configuration: AAR C-C
Gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Trucks: 2
Length: 79 ft (24.08 m)
Fuel type: Diesel
Prime mover: Dual GE FDL-12
Engine type: Diesel engine
Aspiration: Turbocharger
Safety systems: Leslie S-5T-RF air horn.
Performance figures
Power output: 5,000 hp (3,700 kW)
Career
Operators: Union Pacific Railroad
Nicknames: U-Boats
Locale: North America
Retired: 1977-1978
Disposition: All scrapped
