Great Northern W-1

Great Northern W-1
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder GE Erie Works
Serial number 28448, 28449
Build date 1947
Total produced 2
Specifications
Configuration:
 ​
 • Whyte 4-8-8-4
 • AAR B-D+D-B
 • UIC (Bo′Do′)(Do′Bo′)
Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Wheel diameter 42 in (1.1 m)
Minimum curve 17 degrees (locomotive only)
10 degrees (with train)
Length 101 ft (31 m)
Height 15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)
Adhesive weight 720,000 lb (330 t)
Loco weight 720,000 lb (330 t)
Electric system/s 11 kV, 25 Hz AC
Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Traction motors 12 GE 746 of 420 hp (310 kW)
Transmission AC Synchronous motors (2×),
DC Generators (4×),
DC traction motors (12×)
Train heating None
Loco brake Air/Regenerative
Train brakes Air
Performance figures
Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h)
Power output 5,000 hp (3,700 kW)
Tractive effort 119,000 lbf (530 kN)
Career
Operators Great Northern Railway
Class W-1
Number in class 2
Numbers 5018, 5019
Delivered 1947
Retired 1956
Scrapped 1968, 1959
Disposition 5018 sold to Union Pacific in 1960, rebuilt in 1962, and scrapped in 1968.
5019 scrapped in 1959.

The W-1 was a class of electric locomotive used by the Great Northern Railway. They were constructed to haul trains on the 73-mile (117 km) electrified portion of the railroad across the Cascade Mountains from Wenatchee, Washington to Skykomish, Washington, including the Cascade Tunnel. Only two locomotives were built, and they had an AAR B-D+D-B wheel arrangements.

The locomotives were built at General Electric's Erie works in 1947, and were numbered 5018 and 5019. They were powered by 2 W-1 motor-generators, with a total 5,000 horsepower (3.7 MW) , and at that time were the largest single-unit electric locomotives used in North America.

Both locomotives were retired in 1956 when the electrification system was switched off and diesel locomotives started operating. Unit 5019 was scrapped in 1959. Unit 5018 was sold to the Union Pacific, who used its body and running gear as part of the unsuccessful experimental coal burning turbine-electric locomotive #80.

References

    • "Train Shed Cyclopedia". Train Shed Cyclopedia. Newton K. Gregg (66). 1978. ISBN 0-912318-99-6.
    • Ringnalda, Ben (2005). "Great Northern Empire - Then and Now". www.GreatNorthernEmpire.net. Retrieved 2009-03-29.
    • Ross, Don. "Don's Rail Photos - Great Northern Ry". donsdepot.donrossgroup.net.
    • "GN W-1 Operators Manual GEJ-1185". Retrieved 2009-03-29.
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