G.E. rebuilding E.M.D. units?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Yesterday while trackside at the BNSF Eola yard in the afternoon, a set of EJ&E power came down into the yard to pick up a loaded coal train to take it south on the “J” to Joliet and onwards. Here is where it gets interesting. When the “J” coal drag reported to the Eola yardmaster that he was leaving and begain his pull up the grade from the BNSF yard onto the “J” main southbound I drove over to the Liberty Street “J” crossing to watch (and hear) the “J” drag come up the grade and go south.

When the power crossed Liberty Street (three imacculate “J” orange and white SD’s) I noticed the third unit in the consist which was number 663, had a great big white/grey G.E. builders plate where they usually are located[:0] (below the cab windows and just forward of the battery boxes). What made me curious is why in the world a G.E. builder plate would be afixed to an E.M.D. unit? I was unable to read the plate as the units passed by me[:(!] but am wondering if G.E. is now rebuilding E.M.D. power for the railroads?

Comments[?]

2

GE is also into leasing and financing locomotives and freight equipment. I can’t comment on the possibility of GE having rebuilt these locomotives, but it’s also possible that GE financed their rebuilding.

3

G.E. will and does remanufacture EMD locomotives as well as supply EMD engine parts.
Randy

4

Who builds the EMD engine parts GE uses? GE? Or do both builders have an arrangement to supply each other’s parts? Or do they only buy what is available directly from outside vendors?

EMD certianly rebuilt a number of other builders’ products.

5

EMD electrical equipment was and still is made by companys like Cutler Hammer, Square D, Vapor, etc. Many after market manufacterers have been supplying heads and liners and a good fab shop can build carbody components. The only thing that is EMDs domain appears to be the engine blocks themseves. Alot of outfits re specializing in rehabing old EMD engine blocks , like Peaker services, etc.
Randy

6

GE got the contract to rebuild IHB’s SW1500’s and provide them with rebuilt GP40-2’s.