EMD GT22 Series

EMD GT22 Series
Ferrosur Roca GT22CW #9015 by Astarsa transporting empty coal hoppers.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Astarsa, Đuro Đaković, Equipamentos Villares S.A., Electro-Motive Division, General Motors Diesel & Henschel & Sohn GmbH. Model GT22CW, GT22CU, GT22CW-2, GT22HW-2, GT22CUM-1, GT22CUM-2, GT22LC & GT22LC-2 Build date June 1972 - December 1997 Total produced 473
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR Co'– Co' (GT22CW & GT22CW-2) & A-1-A (GT22HW-2) Gauge 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Wheelbase 11 ft 11 in (3.63 m) between bolsters; 6 ½' ft (1.98 m) between axles in each truck Length 57 ft (17,374 mm) over the coupler pulling faces Width 9 ft 3 in (2.834 m) over the grabirons Height 13 ft 2.5 in (4.03 m) Loco weight 107 tons (107,752 kg) Fuel capacity 1,700 - 3,000 US gal (6434 - 11,355 L) Prime mover 12-645E3 Aspiration Turbocharged - Intercooler Generator Alternator AR10 & D14 Traction motors EMD D 77 B Cylinders V12 - 45 Deg Loco brake Westinghouse - WXOV - 26 LAV
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 - 93 MPH (105 - 150 KM) Power output 2,475 HP (1845 Kw) - 2,250 HP in coupler
Career Nicknames "Stretch", "Karavela/Mala Karavela" (GT22HW-2) Locale Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Botswana, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Yugoslavia & Zimbabwe

The EMD GT22 Series were first introduced in 1972 after the rise in popularity of six axle locomotives. The GT series now carried a turbocharger that increased the horsepower depending on customer input. The GT series also utilized six axle HTC Trucks, which allowed the locomotive to haul heavier loads at slower speeds with minimal wheelslip.

The GT22C series also gave itself various individual designations depending on customer input. Standard suffixes after the model designation were either a U or W suffix to indicate the type of traction motors. A C generally indicated six axle trucks but due to a six axle locomotive being too oversized for most second and third world countries, EMD developed the L suffix to indicate the locomotive was constructed with a Lightweight frame. EMD Dash 2 electronics also became a popular choice for the export railroads by the late 1970s.

These designations could apply to any kind of export locomotive design of EMD or another licensee of EMD as long as the electrical & mechanical gear was left unaltered.

With the introduction of the 645 engine for export models in 1967, the model designation numbers changed by adding 10 to the designation of a similar model (For example: the G12 now became the G22). To meet customer demands of a six axle version of the popular G12, EMD created the GR12 which was slightly longer and taller to accommodate the Type-C trucks.

EMD then designed the GT22 model to accommodate the HT-C truck first found on the American EMD SD45X. Extending the carbody and increasing the fuel tank capacity, the GT22C series was introduced. Production spanned longer than the four axle G22 version, but with smaller orders.

Several models were introduced:

The EMD GT22CW was first appeared in 1972 and now carried a CW suffix which indicated that this model had six axles (C) and traction motors that could fit from 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) standard gauge to 5 ft 6 in (1,676 mm) gauge tracks (W). Another new suffix introduced to this model was the T, which indicated the use of a turbocharger.

The GT22CW found most of its popularity in Argentina, while two unusual orders went to the Saudi Railways Organization in Saudi Arabia & the Société Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires of Algeria.