GE U20C

GE U20C

GE U20C from Novoeste railways, in Brazil.

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems PT GE Lokomotif Indonesia Model U20C Build date 1995 – 2000 Total produced 42

Specifications AAR wheel arr. C-C Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) in Indonesia, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) and 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) in Brazil Prime mover GE FDL-8 Cylinders 8

The GE U20C diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation Systems as an export model road switcher in 1964. It was powered by the 8-cylinder FDL-8T engine. This locomotive is used worldwide with many variations and modifications. Different engines may be used, e.g. 7FDL8 and 7FDL12. Like the other members of the Universal series, it is compatible with all track gauges.

A unique modification is the wide cab version of the 2000 HP U20C used on the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge Indonesian railroad and operated by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Indonesian National Railway Company). Unlike other models of the U20C, with short hood cabin, the Indonesian U20C features a full-width cabin, for comfort and better sight of track and signals. It is classified as CC203 by PT Kereta Api Indonesia. The wide cab was built by Goninan Locomotive Work (now UGL Rail) in Australia.

Between 1995 and 2000, 41 units of this locomotive type were delivered to the Indonesia. Which was numbered as CC203 01-41. The first batch is number 01-12 which were imported from GE Transportation in Erie, Pennsylvania, United States. And numbers 13-41 were built locally by PT GE Lokomotif Indonesia, a joint company between PT Industri Kereta Api Indonesia / Indonesian Railway Industry (PT INKA) and GE Transportation. The CC 203 was designed between Goninan, Australia and GE, USA. In which Goninan constructed the wide cabin and GE constructed the engine and the body.

All locomotives are still in operation, and were allocated for pulling express passenger trains, but in special conditions they pull 3rd class and sometimes freight trains as well. All CC 203s were painted with the newest livery of Indonesian Railways Co.

Class CC 203s were built to commemorate 50 years of Indonesian Independence in 1995. This locomotive is specially built for pulling Argo express trains like Argo Bromo JS950. After the Indonesian Government launched many Argo Trains, CC 203 always pulled the Argo Train. After the railway acquired newer locomotives like the CC 204 (C20EMP) and CC 206, CC 203s were no longer the main haulers of Argo trains with exception of . Now CC 203 pulls every train in Java, not just passenger, mostly mixed-class, business (being phased out), and economy, but occasionally, freight trains as well. While in Sumatra, 4 units of CC 203 class (CC 203 31-34 in old numbering system or CC 203 01 01-04 in the new system) were used in double traction mode to haul pulp and log train for a company called PT Tanjung Enim Lestari Pulp and Paper. These particular CC 203s were allocated at Tanjung Karang depot, Lampung. Also, a pair of CC 203 class from Jatinegara motive power depot also used as haulers of special Presidential Trains before being replaced by CC 206s, also operated in double traction for safety reasons.