THE SD50 LOCOMOTIVE

The SD50 locomotive is the latest model in the Electro-Motive line of six-axle freight locomotives first introduced in 1952. The SD50 is a 3800/3500 horsepower heavy-duty freight locomotive with a number of new features, including the new model 645F engine, the D87 traction motor, a new model AR16 main alternator and the Super Series wheel slip control system. Ten SD50 prototype locomotives are currently in service on two U.S. railroads, four having gone into service in September, 1979, and six in December, 1980. The SD50 locomotive transmission system provides for permanent parallel motor connections with no requirements for either motor or generator transition and no need for field shunting or weakening. Experience to date indicates these locomotives can provide 33 percent improvement in adhesion as compared with previous model six-axle freight locomotives.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contributed by the Rail Transportation Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for presentation of the Joint ASME/IEEE Railroad Conference, April 28-30, 1981.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Mechanical Engineers

  Two Park Avenue
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5990
• Authors:
  • Ephraim Jr, M
• Publication Date: 1981-1

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 7 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adhesion; Components; Diesel electric locomotives; Diesel engines; Direct current motors; Dynamic braking; Electronic equipment; Locomotives; Modules (Electricity); Radar; Superchargers; Traction drives; Wheel slip
• Old TRIS Terms: Modular electronics; Six axle locomotives; Supercharging; Two cycle diesel engines
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00334685
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 81-RT-2 Conf Paper
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 9 1981 12:00AM