General Electric U50 / U50C

Quantity Blt: 26 / 40

10/1963 to 8/1965 and

11/69 to 11/71

Somebody's Large Digital Image Here
Last Revision: 1 January 2023 Jim Jeffery photo at Council Bluffs, IA on 6 August 1974 (Ralph Back collection)
New: 22 October 2004 Info by : John Komanesky
GE U50
Original owner Road Numbers Qty. Bldr Numbers Batch/order Nos. Bldr Dates
Southern Pacific 8500, 8501 2 34945, 34946 2755 5/64
8502 1 34947 2755 6/64
Union Pacific 31-33 3 34891-34893 2750 10/63
34-45 12 35094-35105 2760/2761 7-9/64
46-53 8 35644-35651 2770 5-8/65
GE U50C
Union Pacific 5000-5019 20 37139-37158 5000 11/69-2/71
5020-5039 20 37273-37292 5005 5-11/71

Source of information: Extra 2200 South

Batch / order numbers compliled by Dave Dallner.

GE U50

Technical Data

Drawings and Technical Data Supplied by: Jean-Denis Bachand
POWERTRAIN
Engine: General Electric Two FDL16 (4-cycle) @ 5000 hp Bore & Stroke: 9.0" x 10.5" RPM (Max. / Min.): 1050 / 650
Main Gen.: GT588 Traction Motors: GE-752 (eight) Tractive Force (starting): 160,000 lbs @ 25% Tractive Force (continuous): 139,500 lbs @ 8.5
TRUCKS
Wheel Arrngmnt: B+B-B+B Wheel Dia: 40" Turning Radius (min): 39 degrees Wheelbase: 9'-04"
M/U Capability: yes Dyn. Braking: yes Loco Wgt: 575,800 lbs. Speed: 70 mph / Gear Ratio: 74:18
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS
Total Length: 83'-06.7" Locomotive Wheel Base: 60'-02" Engine Hood Height: 16'-03.2" Cab Height: 15'-10.8"
Cab Width: 9'-11" Top of Walkway: 8'-01" Length over handrails: 10'-03.5" Distance between Truck Centers: 41'-11"
M/U Capability: Yes Dynamic Braking: Yes Loco Wgt: 575,500 lbs. Speed: 70 mph / Gear Ratio: 74:18
T/M Blower (4): Mechanical Driven Auxillary Generator: GY27 Air Comp.: Westinghouse 3CDC Air Brake: Westinghouse 26L
CAPACITIES

Fuel Oil: 5800 gal.

Lub Oil: 770 gal.

Cooling Water: 580 gal.

Sand: 48 cubic feet

NOTES & CREDITS
--
Technical Data
Drawings and Technical Data Supplied by: Jean-Denis Bachand
POWERTRAIN
Engine: General Electric Two FDL16 (4-cycle) @ 5000 hp Bore & Stroke: 9.0" x 10.5" RPM (Max. / Min.): 1050 / 650
Main Gen.: GT588 Traction Motors: GE-752 (eight) Tractive Force (starting): 109,00 lbs @ 25% Tractive Force (continuous): 88,000 lbs @ 10 mph<
TRUCKS
Wheel Arrngmnt: C-C Wheel Dia: 40" Turning Radius (min): 39 degrees Wheelbase: 9'-04"
M/U Capability: yes Dyn. Braking: yes Loco Wgt: 442,660 lbs. Speed: 70 mph / Gear Ratio: 74:18
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS
Total Length: 83'-05.5" Locomotive Wheel Base: ?? Engine Hood Height: 16'-03.2" Cab Height: 15'-10.8"
Cab Width: 9'-11" Top of Walkway: 9'-01" Length over handrails: 10'-03.5" Distance between Truck Centers: ??
M/U Capability: Yes Dynamic Braking: Yes Loco Wgt: 575,500 lbs. Speed: 70 mph / Gear Ratio: 74:18
T/M Blower (6): Mechanical Driven Auxillary Generator: GY27 Air Comp.: Westinghouse 3CDC Air Brake: Westinghouse 26L
CAPACITIES

Fuel Oil: 6000 gal.

Lub Oil: 700 gal.

Cooling Water: 600 gal.

Sand: 57 cubic feet

In Essence, the U50 was machinery of two U25Bs installed in a common carbody.

Height dimensions are from top of railhead.

Reference Sources:

  • Extra 2200 South, issue #75
  • U25B / U25C / U50 Promotional brochure
  • GE Advanced Generation, 1989, by James W. Kerr
  • GE Locomotives, volumes 1 & 2, 1981, by James W. Kerr
  • Car & Locomotive Cyclopedia, 1984, by Simmons & Boardman
  • The Modern Locomotive Handbook, 1979, Railway Fuel & Operating Officers Assn.
  • Diesel & Electric Locomotive Specifications, 1981, by F. K. Hudson.
  • U-Boats by Greg McDonnell

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