EMD GP49
by
Mike Gerenday
On this edition of Diesels of the Alaska Railroad, we're going to take a look at a locomotive only found on the ARR until 2006.
The EMD GP49 was built in 1983 and 1985 with a 645F3B producing 2,800HP. The GP49 was part of EMD's 50 series introduced in 1979, four models were a part of the 50 series in both GP and SD locomotives. The Southern Railway purchased several GP39 locomotives and in turn re-built them into GP49s but were not true GP49 locomotives.
In 1983 and in 1985 the Alaska Railroad purchased in total nine GP49s, 2801-2804 in 1983, and 2805-2809 in 1985. During this time, the Dept. of Transportation was in the process of selling the Alaska Railroad to the State of Alaska. It is said that the DOT bought the first order of 2800s and the new owner SOA bought the second order. Though this does make sense, I've never had this confirmed.
The GP49s were known for SLOW acceleration, this was due to a radar system for anti wheel slip. From what I understand a lashup of GP49s would accelerate slowly, and if a 2800 was in a lashup of say 3000s and 2000s, the whole mix would have to accelerate at the speed the 2800 would allow. It has been said that the electrical systems of the 2800s were not compatible with the new SD70MACs, which started to arrive in 2000.
The 2800s were seen mostly on work train service in the early 2000s and the occasional freight. In the end of 2006, the GP49s were retired and sold. Most are still in service with some units in Chile and the latest Walla Walla and Columbia Railroad as of 2020.
The 2800s were unique to the ARR with the large ice cream scoop plow, L windows, and awnings behind the cab. At this time, these were the last full class of locomotives to be retired and sold.
For more info on the GP49s, click here.
Page created 12/21/20 and last updated 12/21/20