EMD SD60

EMD SD60
Name	EMD SD60
Powertype	Diesel-electric
Builder	Electro-Motive Division
Builddate	1984–1995
Totalproduction	1,059
Aarwheels	C-C
Primemover	EMD 16-710G3A
Poweroutput	3,800 hp

EMD SD60 The EMD SD60 is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division for North American freight service. Introduced during the 1980s oil and rail restructuring era, the design bridged earlier EMD SD40-2 technology with the emerging 710-series two-stroke diesel prime movers used across railroads and industrial freight networks. The SD60 family influenced locomotive fleets on major carriers including Union Pacific Railroad, CSX Transportation, and Conrail while intersecting with regulatory and market shifts driven by Staggers Rail Act changes and intermodal freight growth.

Design and Development

The SD60 program was developed by Electro-Motive Division in the context of competition with General Electric models and evolving needs of railroads such as Chicago and North Western Transportation Company and Southern Pacific Transportation Company. Engineers advanced the EMD line by mating the 710-series 16-710G3A prime mover with a modular electrical system inspired by research at EMD La Grange Works and operational feedback from American Association of Railroads. Design choices reflected lessons from prototypes like the SD50 and operational priorities set by Class I carriers including Norfolk Southern Railway and Canadian National Railway.

Vehicle architecture incorporated a six-axle (C-C) truck arrangement derived from previous EMD platforms and used traction control systems influenced by collaborations with suppliers serving Kansas City Southern Railway and Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Cab ergonomics and maintenance access evolved alongside standards promoted by Federal Railroad Administration safety guidance and labor agreements involving unions such as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

Technical Specifications

The SD60 is powered by an EMD 16-cylinder 710-series two-stroke diesel engine producing approximately 3,800 horsepower, paired with DC traction alternators and EMD-designed traction motors similar to units operated by Conrail, Southern Pacific Transportation Company, and Union Pacific Railroad. The locomotive's six-axle configuration provided adhesive weight distribution appealing to heavy-haul applications on routes served by BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway.

Onboard systems included modular electrical cabinets and microprocessor-based controls developed in the same era as systems adopted by Amtrak and commuter agencies like Metra. Braking and dynamic retarding used technology consistent with freight standards overseen by the Association of American Railroads, while fuel capacity and cooling systems were sized for long-haul runs common on corridors connecting Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and Houston, Texas.

Production and Variants

Initial SD60 production took place at EMD La Grange Works with deliveries stretching from 1984 into the early 1990s to a roster of North American carriers including CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Union Pacific Railroad. Variants spawned from the platform include shortened-hood or cab-modified versions and later models that incorporated AC traction experimentation paralleling efforts by General Electric (company) on AC traction prototypes for Kansas City Southern Railway and Santa Fe subsidiaries. Subtypes reflected demand shifts similar to those prompting development of the EMD SD70 and influenced leasing strategies used by firms like GE Capital Rail Services.

Production totals and serial allocations intersected with mergers and acquisitions affecting operators such as Conrail (later split between CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway) and with secondary-market sales to regional carriers including Iowa Interstate Railroad and Providence and Worcester Railroad.

Service History and Operators

SD60s entered service during a period of network consolidation and traffic growth across corridors managed by Union Pacific Railroad and CSX Transportation. Units became common on manifest, intermodal, and unit-train assignments serving markets connected to hubs like Chicago, Illinois and ports including Los Angeles, California and Long Beach, California. The model saw deployment by major and regional carriers such as Norfolk Southern Railway, Conrail, Canadian National Railway, and leasing firms supplying short line operators.

Operational histories were shaped by events and policy changes affecting the industry, including regulatory oversight from the Federal Railroad Administration and market dynamics following the Staggers Rail Act. Some fleets were reallocated following corporate restructurings at Southern Pacific Transportation Company and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation, while others were sold to regional and international operators responding to freight demand in North America and beyond.

Rebuilds, Upgrades and Preservation

Over time many SD60s underwent rebuilds and upgrades conducted by workshops at General Electric (company) service centers, Electro-Motive Division facilities, and railroad shops operated by carriers such as Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation. Programs concentrated on emissions compliance, fuel efficiency, microprocessor controls, and traction package overhauls, paralleling rebuild initiatives seen with EMD SD40-2 and EMD SD70 fleets. Rebuilt units sometimes received new cabs, updated electronics, and retrofitted EPA-compliant components driven by regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Preserved examples are maintained by museums and historical societies including institutions that interpret North American railroading history near Chicago, Illinois and Sacramento, California. These preserved locomotives provide material for study by transportation historians and are featured in archives tied to organizations like the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the California State Railroad Museum.

Category:Electro-Motive Division locomotives