EMD SD50 series official thread (covers all variations)

[Bryanjones]

OK... I looked at A J Kristopans GM Serial Number page... What happened to EMD 3 ?????

EMD 3 was retained by EMD for testing purposes, however the unit is now working on BNSF, still as EMD 3. EMD 3 was exchanged for one of the Oakway SD60's a number of years ago. EMD 3 still rides on HTC-R trucks as well, being the first unit to test the radial truck design.

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY

[U-Haul]

EMD 3 is leased to BNSF.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=142502
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=116557

[ExEMDLOCOTester]

Hey EMD, did you ever run into a guy by the name of Muren that helped design the electrical cabinet on those units? He used to work for us for a while in the late nineties, and it took my by total surprise that he was at EMD in the early 80's.

I may have but the Name is not familiar. We had a Herd of Engineers on the test Choo- Choo that was utilized for EMI reduction and most of the HVC Design department was involved.

[ExEMDLOCOTester]

Thanks for the EMD3 info...

[GOLDEN-ARM]

Here's the right spot, to find answers to questions, comments and opines regarding SD-50 Super Series Locomotives. Enjoy!!!

[tomjohn]

Here's a question.Of all the SD50's-SD60's that were built, just how many were rebuilt by the railway co.'s that owned them example (KCS,NS,CONRAIL/CSX and uprr etc..) or even rebuilt into a new model then designated as that new model by a railway leasing firm and the contractor,which performed the rebuild work or the work being done by the railway rebuilder such as NRE,VMV and Progress Rail etc ? I am curious ..

[RDGTRANSMUSEUM]

I know in the 1990's Conrail rebuilt alot of SD-50's and they always pulled the same....very slippery. On more than one occasion they would go completely dead on the road. Very cold in the cab of a "dead leader" SD-50 in the middle of winter!

[scottychaos]

Norfolk Southern is currently rebuilding a few of their SD50's, of Conrail and NS heritage, into SD40E units:

http://www.altoonaworks.info/rebuilds/ns_sd40e.html

http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/6300.html

eleven units so far..and I believe the program is still underway..

Scot

[Mr. Know It All]

[WVU]

The two SD50 (SD60 prototypes) that CSX has are 8525 & 8526. The 8524 was in the 1st order of SD50's that CSX purchased, unit numbers 8500 thru 8524. The 8525 & 8526 were probably capable of making 3600 HP but CSX kept them at 3500. 8525 is currently in service on CSX and 8526 is in storage in Waycross Georgia. All together CSX purchased 144 SD50 units. 8500 thru 8603 (except 8525 & 8526) was equipped with a LC114 Module and the units was rated for 3500 HP. 8604 thru 8643 came from LaGrange with LC118 Module and they were rated for 3600 HP. CSX also inherted several SD50's from Conrail. CSX is also working on upgrading there SD50's also. At the present time there is five SD50 units inside the Huntington Shop.

[Mr. Know It All]

CSX 8524 and 8525 were both prototypes for the SD60. While never officially "published", for onboard software purposes only they were called an SD50X. They have 16-645F3 engines originally rated at 3600 hp and D87 (not D87B) traction motors as well as 760 amp brake grids like a regular SD50. They have a "regular" SD60 electrical cabinet and use most of the same modules as the SD60 however the rompaks (software) are very unique for these two units. I have not been on them in about 10 years so there is no telling what CSX has done with them since then.

[Mr. Know It All]

This engine later became SBD 8525, later CSX 8525. Was this a test bed for the SD60 series actually?

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=182724

CSX 8524 and 8525 were both prototypes for the SD60. While never officially "published", for onboard software purposes only they were called an SD50X. They have 16-645F3 engines originally rated at 3600 hp and D87 (not D87B) traction motors as well as 760 amp brake grids like a regular SD50. They have a "regular" SD60 electrical cabinet and use most of the same modules as the SD60 however the rompaks (software) are very unique for these two units. I have not been on them in about 10 years so there is no telling what CSX has done with them since then.

[WVU]

Here's a question.Of all the SD50's-SD60's that were built, just how many were rebuilt by the railway co.'s that owned them example (KCS,NS,CONRAIL/CSX and uprr etc..) or even rebuilt into a new model then designated as that new model by a railway leasing firm and the contractor,which performed the rebuild work or the work being done by the railway rebuilder such as NRE,VMV and Progress Rail etc ? I am curious ..

In 1991 and 1992 CSX did a major enhancement program on all of there 144 SD50 units. The Huntington Shop did a large number of them and several of the SD50's was also enhanced in LaGrange. Just a couple of years ago, CSX lowered the Horsepower on the SD50 units by applying a new Governor that had a balance point of .88 instead of .82. They also removed the LC114 card that was rated for 3500 HP and applied a TMM114 card and the units was then designated SD50-2 and was now 3000 HP units

[Mr. Know It All]

Any idea who is making this TMM114 module or know any specifics about it?

[WVU]

Elcon to my knowledge is the one who makes the TMM114 card 263-0022058. The one big difference that I can tell you is the Kwref is lower then it is on the LC114. The Volts and Amps Reference is still the same on the TMM114 as the LC114. With the TMM114 module with a .88 Rack Governor instead of the .82 Rack Governor is how they lowered the HP on the SD50 from 3500 to 3000.