Union Pacific GTELs

Union Pacific GTELs
Union Pacific 18, a third-generation GTEL with four three-axle "C" trucks, preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum
Type and origin
Power typeGas turbine–electric
BuilderAlco-General Electric (1948–53)
General Electric
ModelGE 101 1948 Demonstrator Prototype
Build dateJanuary 1952 – June 1961 (production)
Total produced55
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB+B-B+B 1st & 2nd Generation
(C-C)+(C-C) 3rd Generation
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Trucks4
Length83 ft 6.5 in (25.464 m) (Prototype)
Loco weight500,000 lb (230,000 kg) Prototype
552,000 lb (250,000 kg) 1st Generation
849,212 lb (385,196 kg) for 3rd Generation
Fuel typeBunker C heavy fuel oil (UP 57 used compressed propane fuel from May 1953 to January 1954)
Prime moverGE 5-Frame Gas Turbine 3rd Generation
Engine typeCummins 250 hp (190 kW) "donkey engine" 1st and 2nd generation. Cooper Bessemer 850 hp (630 kW) 3rd Generation.
Traction motorsGE 752E1 1st and 2nd Generation, GE 752E3 3rd Generation.
Safety systemsTwin Leslie Tyfon A-200 air horns 1st & 2nd generation. Leslie S-5T-RF air horn 3rd generation.
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph (105 km/h) (according to GE tests).
Power output4,500 hp (3,400 kW) 1st & 2nd Generation
8,500 hp (6,300 kW) 3rd Generation
Tractive effort138,000 lbf (610,000 N) 1st Generation
212,312 lbf (944,410 N) 3rd Generation
Career
OperatorsUnion Pacific
Class1
Number in class55
NumbersUP50 Demonstrator Prototype
51–60 1st Generation
61–75 2nd Generation
1–30 3rd Generation
Official nameGTEL, Gas Turbine Electric Locomotive
Nicknames"Verandas" 2nd Generation
"Big Blows" "Bird Burners" 3rd Generation
LocaleNorth America
DeliveredJanuary 1952
First runJanuary 1952
Last runDecember 1969
RetiredAugust 1963 – February 1970
Disposition53 scrapped (running gear including trucks recycled for GE U50 and U50C), 2 preserved (non-operational)

The Union Pacific GTELs were a series of gas turbine–electric locomotives built by Alco-GE and General Electric from 1952 to 1961 and operated by Union Pacific from 1952 to 1970.