The EMD GP50s that Burlington Northern bought seem to have not had a long lasting life–most were built in 1985 and it seems their numbers are now thinning. The SLSF GP50s that BN inherited, built in 1980, were gone by 1997. It seems that many in the BNSF fleet are being converted to Remote Control Units. Were the GP50s unreliable or worn out? Also, what does the “L” mean in the designation that BNSF has given them?
GP50’s were not reliable when they were built. Problems with the engine I believe.
BNSF’s ex BN units were rerated to 3300 HP while the ex Santa Fe units still are rated at 3600 HP.
And a few are being converted to Remote control units but BNSF derates the engine further to only 2500 HP and calls them a GP25.
The “L” designation from what I have read means that they are equiped with LARS (what ever that means?).
The “F3” incarnation of the 645 engine (as in 16-645F3) was unreliable due to the fact that it was operating beyond design specs - if they were computers, they’d be ‘overclocked’ and as a result had a tendency to break. This is the prime mover that was used in the 50 series and it gave GM-EMD a black eye and for this reason, GE overtook EMD in 1983 in sales. This is also the reason EMD came out with the 60-series (3800hp 16-710G3) 4 years after the 50-series came out.
LARS = Locomotive Analysis and Reporting System.
While 15-20 years may not seem like a particularly long life, remember that a locomotive is fully depreciated after 15 years. Being equipped with RC doesn’t strike me as particularly unusual, a four-motor locomotive in that age range is probably in yard, transfer or local service.
Were they just derated or deturbo’ed too?
CP has a former NS GP50 that is now a GP38-2!