North America, Central America, South America, Africa, East Asia
Disposition
Many scrapped, some preserved, others still operating
The EMD GA8 was an export diesel locomotive designed by GM-EMD in the late 1950s as a simplified design for use on overseas railways with light rail and sharp curves.[1]
At the time of its introduction it was described as an extremely lightweight road locomotive capable of handling passenger or freight trains and switching.[2]
The locomotive is notable for its use of freight car trucks that are driven by cardan shafts and two traction motors attached to the underframe. Measuring 32 feet 6 inches, they are equipped with an 8-567C prime mover capable of producing 875 bhp or 800 hp traction.[1] Late model GA8 locomotives were equipped with an 8-567E prime mover which is a 645 block (introduced in 1965) fitted with 567 power assemblies. Due to the design, most servicing and maintenance could be done without removing the traction motors from the underframe or trucks of the locomotive.
The units were built without multiple unit connection capability so electrical components are kept to a minimum.[1]
The EMD GL8 was a derivative design introduced in 1960 that is similar to the GA8 but used standard B-B or A1A-A1A trucks and was equipped with multiple unit capability.
The EMD GA8 prototype demonstrator unit was built in late 1958 or early 1959 [3] and export customer production commenced in 1960. The GA8 demonstrator also attracted considerable attention from several US railroads,[2] although ultimately none would ever purchase the locomotive for domestic use.
Several countries purchased the locomotive[4] and examples are still in operation today.
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EMD GA8 line drawing
View of frame mounted traction motors
The GA8 uses standard AAR freight car trucks
FCAB (Antofagasta y Bolivia) 952
FENADESAL 864
Media related to EMD GA8 locomotives at Wikimedia Commons
