EMD/Illinois Central GP8
A Ripley and New Albany Railroad GP8 in 2012.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGeneral Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
RebuilderIllinois Central Railroad’s Paducah, Kentucky shops
Number rebuilt111
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Length56 ft 2 in (17.12 m)
Fuel capacity1,600 US gal (6,100 L; 1,300 imp gal)
Lubricant cap.200 US gal (760 L; 170 imp gal)
Coolant cap.230 US gal (870 L; 190 imp gal)
Sandbox cap.18 cu ft (510 dm3)
Prime moverEMD567BC
Loco brakeIndependent air
Train brakesAir, schedule 26-L
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output1,500 or 1,600 hp
(1.12 or 1.19 MW)

The EMD GP8 is a model of four-axle diesel locomotive rebuilt by Illinois Central's Paducah shops using a General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) GP7, GMD GP7 or GP9 as a start. It is similar to the GP10 and GP11.

A total of 111 units were rebuilt to "GP8" for the Illinois Central and Illinois Central Gulf. Core units used in the construction of these units were Illinois Central GP7, GP9, a GP8, C&O GP9, D&RGW GP9, DT&I GP7, N&W GP7, P&LE GP7, QNS&L GP7, RDG GP7, St.J&LC GP9, SLSF GP7, and SP GP9.

The Paducah Shops also rebuilt 16 Conrail GP7s to GP8s. Nine were rebuilt in 1976 and another seven in 1978. Rock Island's Silvis Shops rebuilt 20 Conrail GP7s into GP8s in 1978. Morrison-Knudsen's Boise Shops rebuilt 13 Conrail GP7s into GP8s in 1978. The 1976 Conrail units rebuilt at Paducah were the equivalent of the Illinois Central rebuilds. The 1978 rebuilds were engine and electrical gear only rebuilds with no carbody modifications.[1]

References

  • Extra 2200 South (93): 18–36. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  • Diesel Era. March–April 2003. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  1. ↑ "EMD GP8 and GP10 Rebuilds". The Conrail Historical Society. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2014.


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