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GE U28B

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General Electric U28B
Milwaukee Road U28B #5505
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation Systems
ModelU28B
Build dateJanuary 1966–January 1967
Total produced148
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Prime moverGE FDL-16
RPM range650–1050 rpm
Traction motorsGE-752
Performance figures
Maximum speed70 mph (110 km/h)
Power output2,800 hp (2,100 kW)
Tractive effort70,000 lbf (310 kN) (starting) 64,000 lbf (280 kN) (continuous)

The GE U28B diesel-electric locomotive model replaced the U25B in early 1966, featuring a slightly uprated prime mover (only 300 hp (220 kW) more power than the U25B). Early units had the same car body styling as the U25B, while later units had design features (e.g., shortened nose) more in common with later models. After only a year of production, this model was superseded by the U30B.

Trains Magazine editor David P. Morgan wrote about General Electric's decision to go with 2800 horsepower in its 1966 locomotive production. The short article Morgan wrote in the November 1965 issue had line drawings of the proposed short nose U28B.

Original owners

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Railroad Quantity Numbers Notes
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad 20 106-115, 140-149 to Burlington Northern 5450-5459, 5470-5479, all late-style carbody
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad 17 130-135, 137-140, 380, 393-398 393-398 U25B-style carbody, all others late-style
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad 42 240-281 240-254 U25B-style carbody, 255-281 late-style
Great Northern Railway 6 2524-2529 to Burlington Northern 5460-5465, late-style carbody
Louisville and Nashville Railroad 5 2500-2504 late-style carbody, all rebuilt to U30B
New York Central Railroad 2 2822-2823 to Penn Central, Conrail 2822-2823, late-style carbody
Norfolk and Western Railroad 30 1900-1929 high-nose, late-style carbody
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad 22 2800-2821 U25B-style carbody
Southern Pacific Railroad Company 4 7025-7028 Served as GE demonstrators from 2/66 to delivery in 8/66, U25B-style carbody

Preservation

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Only two U28B's are in preservation, and one of them has been rebuilt to U30B specs.

References

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  • Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series. Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-258-2.
  • Morgan, David P. (November 1965). "GE's reaction to the competition: too mild or just right". Trains. p. 14.
  • Withers, Paul K. (September–October 2009). "General Electric's U28B". Diesel Era. pp. 6–56.
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