Progress Rail PR43C

The Progress Rail PR43C was a 4,300 hp (3,210 kW) C-C genset diesel-electric locomotive built by Progress Rail Services Corporation. It was the result of a conversion of existing EMD SD50 locomotives. This involved replacing the original EMD 645 prime mover with a pair of Caterpillar engines, a 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) 12 cylinder C175 engine and a 700 hp (522 kW) C18 engine.[1][2] The locomotive was jointly designed by Progress Rail and Norfolk Southern Railway. Development began in 2008.[3]

Progress Rail PR43C
NS 4004 Progress Rail PR43C at Anniston Alabama
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Progress Rail Services Corporation
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Prime mover Caterpillar C175-12 and Caterpillar C18
Performance figures Power output 4,300 hp (3,210 kW)

Three locomotives were built; they were manufactured at Progress Rail's Mayfield, Kentucky factory.[1] Two operated in revenue freight service on Norfolk Southern, while a third operated as a demonstrator unit for Progress Rail.[2] At one time Norfolk Southern had four more PR43Cs on order.[3] The locomotives operated by Norfolk Southern worked on freight trains in central Illinois, leading to speculation that they were being tested, as Caterpillar's headquarters are located in Peoria, Illinois.[1]

The process of converting an SD50 to a PR43C altered the external appearance of the locomotive; the original radiator section was replaced with a larger one similar in appearance to that of an EMD SD70ACe or SD70M-2.[1]

As a result of repeated failures, the locomotives were retired in 2017, and all were cut up for scrap in 2018.