GE B36-7

The GE B36-7 is a 4-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1980 and 1985. 222 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads and eight units were built for a Colombian coal mining operation. The units were designed as successors to GE's U36B's. Of the 230 locomotives built, 180 of them were built for two Eastern railroads - Seaboard System Railroad (which became part of CSX Transportation in 1986) and Conrail.

GE B36-7
CSXT 5842, a GE B36-7
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation Systems
ModelB36-7
Build date1980 – 1985
Total produced230
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Prime moverGE 7FDL16
AspirationTurbocharged
Performance figures
Power output3,600 hp (2,700 kW)early 3,750 hp (2,800 kW)late
Career
LocaleNorth America South America
DispositionMost scrapped. Several in service on short lines.

These 4-axle locomotives were powerful ones when introduced in 1980. When first built the units were rated at 3,600 hp (2,700 kW), later versions were rated at 3,750 hp (2,800 kW). They were designed for fast and priority service, moving intermodal and container trains.

Introduction

The first B36-7s were built for the Cotton Belt in January 1980. These first four units #7770-7773 were part of a thirty unit order that included 26 B30-7 units. According to Extra 2200 South magazine these units featured General Electric's new Sentry Adhesion System. The Sentry System is a wheel slip detection system. These 3600 horsepower units also featured the new GE 752AF traction motor, the new GTA-24 traction alternator and the 83:20 fine tooth gearing.

Conrail B36-7 5054 leads a Freight train at Duncannon, PA

The second order for B36-7s was built for the Santa Fe in October and November 1980. There was a different door configuration for the high voltage electrical cabinet when compared to the Cotton Belt order. Two units, 7484, 7486, were set up at remote control transmitters and two units were set up as remote control receivers 7485, 7487. These were the first GE units built with Locotrol remote control equipment. The units were originally tried on the York Canyon Coal trains operating between York Canyon, New Mexico and Fontana, California.

AT&SF 7499 between the sidings of Becker and Sais, NM on the Belen Cutoff between Belen and the west end of Abo Canyon in August 1983

Original owners
Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Santa Fe 16 7484-7499 Some of the units were sold to British Columbia Railway, Renumbered 3604-3613.
Conrail 60 5000-5059 5045 destroyed in the 1987 Maryland train collision. And scrapped
Cerrejon Coal Project (Colombia) 8 1001–1008
Seaboard System 120 5806-5925 To CSX; All retired as of Dec 2009.
Southern Railway 6 3815-3820 High hood.
Southern Pacific Transportation Company 16 7754-7769
Cotton Belt 4 7770-7773

See also

References
    • Marre, Louis A.; Pinkepank, Jerry A.; Drury, George H. (1995). The Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide: A comprehensive reference manual to locomotives since 1972. Railroad Reference Series (Book 14). Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 0890242577.
    • Extra 2200 South. No. 69. February 1980. pp. 7, 17. Missing or empty |title= (help)
    • Extra 2200 South. No. 72. January 1981. pp. 7, 17. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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