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The '''GE Universal Series''' are a series of [[diesel locomotive]]s intended for the export market introduced by [[GE Transportation|General Electric]] in early 1956. General Electric had previously partnered with [[Alco]], producing locomotives for export using Alco’s [[ALCO 244|244 engine]], and provided electrical parts for Alco’s domestic production. However, with the advent of the Universal Series, GE ended its partnership with Alco and entered the export locomotive market on its own.
The '''GE Universal Series locomotives''' were [[diesel locomotive]]s originally launched by [[GE Transportation|GE]] in early 1956. The latest variant in the Universal Series was built in 2005. Initially, there were nine U-series models: U4B, U6B, U9B, U9C, U12B, U12C, U18B, U18C and UD18B. They were designed to be readily adaptable to different [[track gauge]]s for export markets and very reliable. The U5B and U8B appeared later, being first built for [[RFFSA]], [[Brazil]] in 1961.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.locopage.net/ge-history.htm| title=GE Export U-Series Model Evolution| first=Steve| last=Palmano| website=GE Export Page}}</ref>


The export-oriented Universal Series should not be confused with the “U-Boats” for the North American market, which began with the [[GE U25B|U25B]]. The Universal Series are built to a much smaller [[loading gauge]] (Bern loading gauge) and are significantly [[Axle load|lower in weight]] when compared to US locomotives sharing the same engine and horsepower rating. Universal Series locomotives can also be identified by the lack of battery boxes that are usually found under the cabins of North American locomotives.
==Engines==
The Universal Series has at its heart the [[Cooper Bessemer]] engine. General Electric built four demonstrators in 1954 with Cooper Bessemer engines for road testing. This demonstrator set was numbered the 750ABCD. The demonstrators were made up of two cab units and two booster units. The demonstrators spent considerable time testing on the Erie Railroad. The 750AB were UM12s built with eight cylinder, FVBL-8 engines rated at 1,200 horsepower. The 750DC were UM18s built with 12 cylinder, FVBL-12 engines rated at 1,800 horsepower. After testing the units were rebuilt in October 1959 at GE-Erie with 16 cylinder engines rated at 2,000 horsepower. The former demonstrators were sold to the Union Pacific as UM20s in April 1960 and numbered UP 620AB-621AB. The UM20s were retired in October 1963.


Universal Series locomotives were designed for different gauges, ranging from [[Narrow-gauge railway|914 mm]] (3 ft) up to [[Broad-gauge railway|1676 mm]] (5 ft 6 in). They could be found in many parts of the world, predominantly in Africa, South America and Asia. These locomotives were constructed in the GE plant in [[Erie, Pennsylvania|Erie]], Pennsylvania, and by GE licensees, including GE do Brasil (Brazil), [[Babcock & Wilcox|Babcock y Wilcox]] (Spain), [[Krupp]] (Germany) and [[UGL Rail|Goninan]] (Australia).
==Demonstrators==
While the GE 750 demonstrator was still testing GE built two XP24 demonstrators, numbers 751 and 752 in 1959. These units became the first U25Bs. The [[GE U25B]] became the first widely sold domestic market GE Universal Series locomotive. North American Universal Series locomotives are often called "U-Boats" by railfans and model railroaders.


==Naming Convention==
== Naming convention ==
The designations of the Universal series describe the locomotive model in compact form: U for Universal, followed by the engine's nominal horsepower rating in hundreds, and finally the number of axles (B = B-B = 4 axles; C = C-C = 6 axles). The U25C was a 2500-horsepower locomotive on three-axle trucks. An M indicated a modified version of the base model.
The designations of the Universal series describe the locomotive model in compact form: U for Universal, followed by the engine's nominal horsepower rating in hundreds, and finally the number of axles; B = B-B (4 axles); C = C-C (6 axles). An 'M' indicated a modified version of the base model. Along with their development, the same numbers were often reused by different locomotive models. Even the same designation could be shared with domestic locomotives. For example, both the U18C and U20C model numbers refer to different locomotives offered at different dates with different engines (8- and 12-cylinder); and the export U30C model shared the same model number with the US [[GE U30C|U30C]], but had a 12-cylinder, rather than a 16-cylinder engine.

== Engines ==
The initial models of the Universal Series used [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] 375 (8-cylinder), Caterpillar 397 (12-cylinder), [[Cooper Bessemer|Cooper-Bessemer]] FWB-6L (6-cylinder), Cooper-Bessemer FVBL-8 and FVBL-12 (8- and 12-cylinder, respectively). Later models substituted higher power Caterpillar engines for the smaller locomotives or GE’s own [[List of GE reciprocating engines|7FDL8]] and 7FDL12 engines for the larger ones. Unlike [[Electro Motive Division|EMD]], GE never had a 16-cylinder engined export locomotive model in the Universal series.

== Models ==
Upon introduction in 1956, nine locomotive models were offered, as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Model'''
|+Universal Series Locomotives
|'''Engine'''
!Class
|'''Horsepower (traction)'''
!Year introduced
|'''Wheel arrangement'''
!Notes
|'''Type'''
!Photo
|'''Photo'''
|-
|-
|GE U4B
|U4B
|CAT 375
|1956
|340
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U4-B.HTML Data Sheet]
|
|B-B
|End-cab [[switcher]]
|Not built
|-
|-
|U6B
|GE U5B
|CAT 397
|1961
|640
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U5-B.HTML Data Sheet]
|B-B
|[[File:GE U5B 2049 RFFSA.jpg|none|thumb]]
|End-cab switcher
|-
|GE U6B
|1959 (Phase 1)
1962 (Phase 2)
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U6B.HTML Data Sheet]
|[[File:GE U6B 3049 RFFSA.JPG|none|thumb]]
|-
|[[South African Class 91-000|GE UM6B]]
|1973
|South African Class 91-000
(Narrow Gauge)
|[[File:Class 91-000 no. 91-003.jpg|none|thumb]]
|-
|GE U8B
|1961
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U8B.HTML Data Sheet]
|
|
|-
|-
|GE U9B
|U9B

|1957
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U9B.HTML Data Sheet]
[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U9B.HTML Data Sheet]
|CB FWB-6L
|900
|B-B
|[[Road switcher]]
|[[File:GE-U9B-NOB.jpg|none|thumb]]
|[[File:GE-U9B-NOB.jpg|none|thumb]]
|-
|-
|GE U9C
|U9C

|1957
|[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U9C.HTML Data Sheet]
[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U9C.HTML Data Sheet]
|CB FWB-6L
|900
|C-C
|Road switcher
|
|
|-
|-
|U12B
|[[New Zealand DH class locomotive|GE U10B]]
|CB FVBL-8
|1978
|1200
|New Zealand DH Class
|B-B
|[[File:DH 2868, DL 9095 and DL 9135.jpg|none|thumb]]
|Road switcher
|[[File:SAR Class 31-000 31-007.JPG|none|thumb]]
|-
|-
|U12C
|[[South African Class 31-000|GE U12B]]
|CB FVBL-8
|1958
|1200
|South African Class 31-000
|C-C
|[[File:SAR Class 31-000 31-028 R.JPG|none|thumb]]
|Road switcher
|-
|GE U12C
|1957
|
|[[File:Apeadero Kilómetro 12 visto desde A D'Elia.jpg|center|thumb]]
|[[File:Apeadero Kilómetro 12 visto desde A D'Elia.jpg|center|thumb]]
|-
|-
|U18B
|[[GE UM12C]]
|CB FVBL-12
|1956
|1800
|Manila Railroad 2000 Class
|B-B
|[[File:State Railways Thailand 4041 Kanchanaburi.jpg|none|thumb]]
|Road switcher
|Not built
|-
|-
|U18C
|GE U13B
|CB FVBL-12
|1962
|1800
|
|
|C-C
|Road switcher
|[[File:Class 32-094.jpg|thumb]]
|-
|-
|UD18B
|[[PNR 900 class|GE U14C]]
|CB FVBL-12
|1974
|1800
|Philippine Railways 906-915<ref>{{Cite web|title=GE U14C roster|url=http://thedieselshop.us/GE_U14C.HTML|access-date=2021-08-15|website=thedieselshop.us}}</ref>
|B-B
|[[File:PNR DEL 917 with 203 series.png|none|thumb]]
|Road switcher
|-
|[[PNR 900 class|GE U15C]]
|1972
|<ref name="Middleton">{{Middleton-SA Loco Guide|pages=38, 41–42}}</ref>
|[[File:919 at Posadas Crossing.png|center|thumb]]
|-
|[[GE U17C]]
|1973
|
|
|}
|[[File:CFS Bagdadbahn2.jpg|none|thumb]]
The evolution of Universal Series locomotives is complex due to the frequent model name changes and the reusing of the same model names for different locomotives. One method to understand the growth and development of the Universal Series is to divide the nine original models into three groups: 1) small locomotives, 2) intermediate powered locomotives, and 3) high powered locomotives.

=== Small Locomotives ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Initial model'''
|'''First update'''
|'''Second update'''
|'''Third update'''
|-
|-
|U4B
|[[GE U18B]]

|1973
[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U4-B.HTML Data Sheet]
|
|[[File:Niax407-070502.jpg|none|thumb]]
|[[File:GE U5B 2049 RFFSA.jpg|none|thumb]]U5B (1961)

(540 hp)

[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U5-B.HTML Data Sheet]
|[[File:GE U6B 3049 RFFSA.JPG|none|thumb]]U6B* (1965)

(640 hp)
|U10B* (1974)

(950 hp)
|-
|-
|U6B
|GE U18C

|1957
[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U6B.HTML Data Sheet]
|
|U8B (1961)
|[[File:CC_201_Livery_Vintage_1953-1991.jpg|none|thumb]]

(810 hp)

[https://www.thedieselshop.us/Data%20GE%20U8B.HTML Data Sheet]
|[[File:DH 2868, DL 9095 and DL 9135.jpg|none|thumb]]UM10B (1962), later renamed U10B (1964)

(950 hp)
|U11B (1974)

(1000 hp)
|}
''In this table, and the following two tables, asterisks indicate repeated model numbers''

Between the initial models and the first update, the Caterpillar 375 and 397 engines were replaced with 379 and 398, respectively.

The UM6B was a narrow-gauge variant of the U6B, built for South African Railways.

=== Intermediate Powered Locomotives (8-cylinder) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Initial model'''
|'''First update'''
|'''Second update'''
|'''Third update'''
|'''Fourth update'''
|'''Fifth update'''
|'''Sixth update'''
|-
|-
|U12B
|GE U18A1A
|U13B (1960)
|1978

|Only for Indonesia
(1300 hp)
|[[File:BB_203_78_01.jpg|none|thumb]]
|U13B* (1963)
|-

|[[South African Class 32-000|GE U18C1]]
(1300 hp)
|1959
|U15B (1969)
|South African Class 32-000

|
(1500 hp)
|-
|U17B (1973)
|GE UD18B

|
(1700 hp)
|
|
|
|
|-
|-
|U12C
|GE UM20B
|U13C (1960)
|1954

|GE Demonstrator #750
(1300 hp)
|
|U13C* (1963)

(1300 hp)
|[[File:919 at Posadas Crossing.png|center|thumb]]U15C (1969)

(1500 hp)
|[[File:PNR DEL 917 with 203 series.png|thumb]]U14C, U17C (1973)

(1400, 1700 hp)
|[[File:CC_201_Livery_Vintage_1953-1991.jpg|none|thumb]]U18C* (1976)

(1820 hp)
|[[File:CC 203 01 07 Rewulu 2018.jpg|thumb]]U20C* (1995)

(2000 hp)
|}
Between the first and second updates, the Cooper-Bessemer engine was replaced with 7FDL8 engine. The body style was also changed with a low short hood and Hi-Ad trucks replacing the high short hood and outside-equalized trucks.

A variation of the U18C was the U18A1A, built for the [[Kereta Api Indonesia|Indonesian railway]]. These locomotives had the same C-C trucks but one fewer traction motor in each truck, and downrated to 1650 horsepower. Most of these locomotives have been rebuilt to U18C standards.

The 6-cylinder U9B and U9C models were an evolutionary dead end, and no uprated versions were produced.

=== High Powered Locomotives (12-cylinder) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|'''Initial model'''
|'''First update'''
|'''Second update'''
|'''Third iteration'''
|'''Fourth iteration'''
|'''Fifth iteration'''
|-
|-
|U18C
|[[GE U20C]]
|[[File:SAR Class 33-000 33-002.JPG|thumb]]U20C (1964)
|1964

|
(2000 hp)
|[[File:CC 203 18 At JNG Motive Power Depot.jpg|none|thumb]]
|[[File:GE U20C 3846 FERROBAN.jpg|thumb]]U20C* (1971)
|-

|[[South African Class 32-200|GE U20C1]]
(2000 hp)
|1966
|[[File:New Zealand DX class locomotive DX 5483 in Picton, together with DXC 5356 20100121 3.jpg|thumb]]U26C (1971)
|

|
(2600 hp)
|-
|U22C, UM22C (1975)
|[[GE U23B]]

|1968
(2165 hp)
|
|[[File:Tazara GE U30C Mlimba.JPG|thumb]]U30C (1982)
|

|-
(3000 hp)
|[[GE U23C]]
|1968
|
|
|-
|[[GE U25B]]
|1959
|
|
|-
|[[GE U25C]]
|1963
|
|
|-
|[[GE U26C]]
|1971
|
|
|-
|[[GE U28B]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U28C]]
|1965
|
|
|-
|[[GE U28CG]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U30B]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U30C]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U30CG]]
|1967
|
|
|-
|[[GE U33B]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U33C]]
|1968
|
|
|-
|[[GE U34CH]]
|1970
|Passenger Unit
|
|-
|[[GE U36B]]
|1966
|
|
|-
|[[GE U36C]]
|1971
|
|
|-
|GE U36CG
|1974
|
|
|-
|[[GE U50]]
|1963
|B+B-B+B truck design
|
|-
|[[GE U50C]]
|1969
|C-C truck design
|
|}
|}
As with the intermediate powered locomotives, the Cooper-Bessemer engine was also replaced with 7FDL12 engine.

The differently-rated U22C, U26C and U30C models were offered at the same time.

The U18C and the earlier U20C models had a variant with an additional non-powered leading axle in each truck, resulting in a lower axle loading and a 1C-C1 wheel arrangement. These locomotives were only purchased by the [[South African Railways]].

No U18B was produced, and the few UD18 locomotives built were exported to [[Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México|Mexico]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
Line 241: Line 231:
File:SAR Class 33-000 33-002.JPG|[[GE U20C]], [[South African Class 33-000]] no 33-002
File:SAR Class 33-000 33-002.JPG|[[GE U20C]], [[South African Class 33-000]] no 33-002
File:U12-MF623-01.jpg|GE U12C, Ferrocarril Belgrano Sur, Argentina
File:U12-MF623-01.jpg|GE U12C, Ferrocarril Belgrano Sur, Argentina
File:ID diesel loco CC 201-48 050508 Lgwa 8682 gb.jpg|GE U18C, Indonesian Class CC204 No. 48
File:ID diesel loco CC 201-48 050508 Lgwa 8682 gb.jpg|GE U18C, Indonesian Class CC20148
File:CC 204 03 01 KA Gajah Wong.jpg|CC 204 78 05 pulling Gajah Wong Train
</gallery>
</gallery>


Revision as of 19:21, 3 December 2022

The GE Universal Series are a series of diesel locomotives intended for the export market introduced by General Electric in early 1956. General Electric had previously partnered with Alco, producing locomotives for export using Alco’s 244 engine, and provided electrical parts for Alco’s domestic production. However, with the advent of the Universal Series, GE ended its partnership with Alco and entered the export locomotive market on its own.

The export-oriented Universal Series should not be confused with the “U-Boats” for the North American market, which began with the U25B. The Universal Series are built to a much smaller loading gauge (Bern loading gauge) and are significantly lower in weight when compared to US locomotives sharing the same engine and horsepower rating. Universal Series locomotives can also be identified by the lack of battery boxes that are usually found under the cabins of North American locomotives.

Universal Series locomotives were designed for different gauges, ranging from 914 mm (3 ft) up to 1676 mm (5 ft 6 in). They could be found in many parts of the world, predominantly in Africa, South America and Asia. These locomotives were constructed in the GE plant in Erie, Pennsylvania, and by GE licensees, including GE do Brasil (Brazil), Babcock y Wilcox (Spain), Krupp (Germany) and Goninan (Australia).

Naming convention

The designations of the Universal series describe the locomotive model in compact form: U for Universal, followed by the engine's nominal horsepower rating in hundreds, and finally the number of axles; B = B-B (4 axles); C = C-C (6 axles). An 'M' indicated a modified version of the base model. Along with their development, the same numbers were often reused by different locomotive models. Even the same designation could be shared with domestic locomotives. For example, both the U18C and U20C model numbers refer to different locomotives offered at different dates with different engines (8- and 12-cylinder); and the export U30C model shared the same model number with the US U30C, but had a 12-cylinder, rather than a 16-cylinder engine.

Engines

The initial models of the Universal Series used Caterpillar 375 (8-cylinder), Caterpillar 397 (12-cylinder), Cooper-Bessemer FWB-6L (6-cylinder), Cooper-Bessemer FVBL-8 and FVBL-12 (8- and 12-cylinder, respectively). Later models substituted higher power Caterpillar engines for the smaller locomotives or GE’s own 7FDL8 and 7FDL12 engines for the larger ones. Unlike EMD, GE never had a 16-cylinder engined export locomotive model in the Universal series.

Models

Upon introduction in 1956, nine locomotive models were offered, as follows:

Model Engine Horsepower (traction) Wheel arrangement Type Photo
U4B CAT 375 340 B-B End-cab switcher Not built
U6B CAT 397 640 B-B End-cab switcher
U9B

Data Sheet

CB FWB-6L 900 B-B Road switcher
U9C

Data Sheet

CB FWB-6L 900 C-C Road switcher
U12B CB FVBL-8 1200 B-B Road switcher
U12C CB FVBL-8 1200 C-C Road switcher
U18B CB FVBL-12 1800 B-B Road switcher Not built
U18C CB FVBL-12 1800 C-C Road switcher
UD18B CB FVBL-12 1800 B-B Road switcher

The evolution of Universal Series locomotives is complex due to the frequent model name changes and the reusing of the same model names for different locomotives. One method to understand the growth and development of the Universal Series is to divide the nine original models into three groups: 1) small locomotives, 2) intermediate powered locomotives, and 3) high powered locomotives.

Small Locomotives

Initial model First update Second update Third update
U4B

Data Sheet

U5B (1961)

(540 hp)

Data Sheet

U6B* (1965)

(640 hp)

U10B* (1974)

(950 hp)

U6B

Data Sheet

U8B (1961)

(810 hp)

Data Sheet

UM10B (1962), later renamed U10B (1964)

(950 hp)

U11B (1974)

(1000 hp)

In this table, and the following two tables, asterisks indicate repeated model numbers

Between the initial models and the first update, the Caterpillar 375 and 397 engines were replaced with 379 and 398, respectively.

The UM6B was a narrow-gauge variant of the U6B, built for South African Railways.

Intermediate Powered Locomotives (8-cylinder)

Initial model First update Second update Third update Fourth update Fifth update Sixth update
U12B U13B (1960)

(1300 hp)

U13B* (1963)

(1300 hp)

U15B (1969)

(1500 hp)

U17B (1973)

(1700 hp)

U12C U13C (1960)

(1300 hp)

U13C* (1963)

(1300 hp)

U15C (1969)

(1500 hp)

U14C, U17C (1973)

(1400, 1700 hp)

U18C* (1976)

(1820 hp)

U20C* (1995)

(2000 hp)

Between the first and second updates, the Cooper-Bessemer engine was replaced with 7FDL8 engine. The body style was also changed with a low short hood and Hi-Ad trucks replacing the high short hood and outside-equalized trucks.

A variation of the U18C was the U18A1A, built for the Indonesian railway. These locomotives had the same C-C trucks but one fewer traction motor in each truck, and downrated to 1650 horsepower. Most of these locomotives have been rebuilt to U18C standards.

The 6-cylinder U9B and U9C models were an evolutionary dead end, and no uprated versions were produced.

High Powered Locomotives (12-cylinder)

Initial model First update Second update Third iteration Fourth iteration Fifth iteration
U18C
U20C (1964)

(2000 hp)

U20C* (1971)

(2000 hp)

U26C (1971)

(2600 hp)

U22C, UM22C (1975)

(2165 hp)

U30C (1982)

(3000 hp)

As with the intermediate powered locomotives, the Cooper-Bessemer engine was also replaced with 7FDL12 engine.

The differently-rated U22C, U26C and U30C models were offered at the same time.

The U18C and the earlier U20C models had a variant with an additional non-powered leading axle in each truck, resulting in a lower axle loading and a 1C-C1 wheel arrangement. These locomotives were only purchased by the South African Railways.

No U18B was produced, and the few UD18 locomotives built were exported to Mexico.

Gallery

See also

References

Notes

  • "GE Export Page". locopage.net. September 27, 2008.[user-generated source?]
  • "Origins of the GE FDL engine". railroad.net Railroad Forums. Archived from the original on 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2013-12-06.[user-generated source?]

Bibliography

  • Lamb, J. Parker (2007). Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive. Railroads Past and Present. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34863-0.
  • McDonnell, Greg (1994). U-Boats: General Electric's Diesel Locomotives. Toronto: Boston Mills Press. ISBN 1550461125.
  • Schafer, Mike (1998). Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Enthusiast Color Series. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-0507-2.
  • Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-7603-0666-6.
  • Solomon, Brian (2003). GE Locomotives: 110 Years of General Electric Motive Power. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 9780760313619.
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Modern Locomotives: High Horsepower Diesels 1966–2000. New York: Crestline. ISBN 978-0785826811.
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Vintage Diesel Power. Minneapolis, Minnesota: MBI Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7603-3795-0.
  • Solomon, Brian (2012). North American Locomotives: A Railroad-by-Railroad Photohistory. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0-7603-4370-8.
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