Similar to EMD's GM6C testbed locomotive, the GF6C used a frame and running gear that was identical to that of EMD's popular SD40-2diesel-electric locomotive,[1] but had a wide cab and carbody similar to that of GMD's SD40-2F.
BC Rail chose electrification for the Tumbler Subdivision because the line had long, non-ventilated tunnels, as well as steep grades and sharp curves. The line served the Quintette and Bull-Moose coal mines, and hauled coal from said mines to an interchange with CN, where diesel power took over to haul the coal to Prince Rupert where it was loaded onto deep-sea coal carrierships.
A combination of the declining coal market, and lack of coal being produced from the Quintette mine led to the electric system being shut down due to low traffic, and high maintenance costs. The system transferred over to diesel hauled trains after the last electrically hauled train left the Teck loadout (Bull-moose mine) on October 1, 2000. Towards the later years of operation, the GF6C units were de-rated due to the high amount of traction motor failures during operation. It is not known what their horsepower rating was after this modification, however loaded trains leaving the east side of the subdivision typically saw the use of 3 leading units, and 3 helper units per train. Previously, each loaded train would typically have 2 leading units, and 2 helper units. The helper units would be cut from the train upon reaching the summit.[2]
In 2004, the Roy family purchased locomotive 6001 and donated it to the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George; the remaining six locomotives were scrapped. 6001 is currently preserved and in remarkable condition, and, according to the museum's curator and park manager, is still operable if provided with 50 kV of electricity.
ReferencesEdit
^Marre, Louis A.; Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1989). The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co. p. 107. ISBN0-89024-088-4.
gf6c, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, august, 2020, learn, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources GMD GF6C news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message The GF6C was an electric locomotive for freight duties built by General Motors Diesel in collaboration with ASEA of Sweden EMD GF6CEMD GF6C locomotive 6001 at the Railway amp Forestry Museum in Prince George BC Type and originPower typeElectricBuilderGeneral Motors DieselSerial numberA4340 A4346ModelGF6CBuild date1983 1984Total produced7SpecificationsConfiguration AARC C UICCo Co Gauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm TrucksEMD HTCWheel diameter42 in 1 067 mm Length68 ft 10 in 20 98 m Loco weight396 000 lb 180 000 kilograms Electric system s50 kV AC CatenaryCurrent pickup s PantographTraction motors6 EMD E88XPerformance figuresPower output6 000 hp 4 47 MW CareerOperatorsBC Rail BCOL NumbersBCOL 6001 6007LocaleBritish Columbia CanadaDisposition6 scrapped 1 preservedSeven of these locomotives were built in 1983 and 1984 for use on the BC Rail s electrified Tumbler Ridge subdivision Similar to EMD s GM6C testbed locomotive the GF6C used a frame and running gear that was identical to that of EMD s popular SD40 2 diesel electric locomotive 1 but had a wide cab and carbody similar to that of GMD s SD40 2F BC Rail chose electrification for the Tumbler Subdivision because the line had long non ventilated tunnels as well as steep grades and sharp curves The line served the Quintette and Bull Moose coal mines and hauled coal from said mines to an interchange with CN where diesel power took over to haul the coal to Prince Rupert where it was loaded onto deep sea coal carrier ships A combination of the declining coal market and lack of coal being produced from the Quintette mine led to the electric system being shut down due to low traffic and high maintenance costs The system transferred over to diesel hauled trains after the last electrically hauled train left the Teck loadout Bull moose mine on October 1 2000 Towards the later years of operation the GF6C units were de rated due to the high amount of traction motor failures during operation It is not known what their horsepower rating was after this modification however loaded trains leaving the east side of the subdivision typically saw the use of 3 leading units and 3 helper units per train Previously each loaded train would typically have 2 leading units and 2 helper units The helper units would be cut from the train upon reaching the summit 2 In 2004 the Roy family purchased locomotive 6001 and donated it to the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum in Prince George the remaining six locomotives were scrapped 6001 is currently preserved and in remarkable condition and according to the museum s curator and park manager is still operable if provided with 50 kV of electricity References Edit Marre Louis A Pinkepank Jerry A 1989 The Contemporary Diesel Spotter s Guide Milwaukee WI Kalmbach Publishing Co p 107 ISBN 0 89024 088 4 Sanders Dale December 2000 An Electrified Finale CTC Board p 29 See also EditList of GMD Locomotives Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title GMD GF6C amp oldid 1136192004, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
