EMD "GP18" Locomotives

Last revised: March 11, 2023

By: Adam Burns

The GP18 sequentially followed the builder's extraordinarily successful GP9 although the latter model was still in production at the time.

Very similar to the GP7 and GP9, the GP18 was slightly more powerful and came with the option of a low or high, short cab hood something that had only been available upon special request with EMD's first two road switcher models. 

The short hood predated Electro-Motive's modern Spartan Cab, which came to define the builder's diesels for the next three decades.  Instead, it featured a short, sloped nose (no doubt an effort to improve forward visibility). 

Overview

While thousands of GP7s and GP9s were produced just a few hundred GP18s were ultimately built for a little more than two dozen railroads. Ultimately, the model proved to be the least successful of the Electro-Motive Division's early General Purpose series.

Today, several GP18s remain in operation on numerous shortlines and industrial operations around the country although all have since been long retired from Class I rosters. 

Currently, two GP18s are known to be officially preserved; Rock Island #1349 is privately owned in California as Central California Traction #1795, and Nickel Plate Road #514 is located at Steamtown in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Photos

3968235727385873468897899084.jpgMissouri Pacific GP18 #1976 and GP7u #1776 in their Bicentennial colors at Austin, Texas, circa 1976. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Specifications

The EMD GP18 began production in late 1959 and is considered the last of the builder's "first generation" models.

It used the final version of General Motors' first locomotive prime mover, the 16-cylinder model 567D1 which could produce 1,800 horsepower, the most powerful in the series up to that time.

As with all GP models the GP18 featured a B-B truck setup and used GM's model D47 traction motors, enabling it to produce 45,000 pounds of continuous tractive effort, the most of any early Geep model.

However, its starting effort was the same as both the GP7 and GP9, 65,000 pounds. At just over 56 feet in length the GP18 was the same length as its predecessor models and did offer many visual differences.

The EMD GP18 was not nearly as popular as the GP9 (or the GP7), although that can partly be contributed to the fact that both were in production at the same time.

Another reason the GP18 saw fewer sales is that by the late 1950s and early 1960s most railroads had filled their rosters, completing the transition from steam to diesel locomotives and for the time simply did not need any new motive power.

Despite its lower sales, numerous railroads, particularly Class Is, purchased at least a few GP18s.

When production on the model ended in late 1963 just over 400 GP18s had been produced (this included more than 50 examples of which were purchased by other countries).

Interestingly, no Canadian lines purchased the GP18 (although Canadian National subsidiary Grand Trunk Western did buy a few) and as such General Motors Diesel of Ontario took no orders for the model.

American lines to purchase the locomotive included; Aberdeen & Rockfish (1), Baltimore & Ohio (1), Boston & Maine (6), Central of Georgia (8), Chicago & North Western (6), GTW (11), Illinois Central (29), Lehigh Valley (4), Louisville & Nashville (5), Missouri Pacific (the largest buyer, 146), New York, Susquehanna & Western (3), Nickel Plate Road (10), Norfolk & Western (48), original Norfolk Southern (17), Northern Pacific (9), Phelps Dodge Corporation (3), Rock Island (25), Seaboard Air Line (10), Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia (1), Texas & Pacific (5), Texas Mexican Railway (2), and Toledo, Peoria & Western (1).

Data Sheet

Entered Production12/1959 (Norfolk & Western #915)
Years Produced12/1959 - 11/1963
Engine567D1
Engine BuilderGM
Horsepower1500
RPM800
Cylinders16
Length56' 2"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)14' 6"
Width10' 3"
Weight240,000 Lbs
Fuel Capacity1700 Gallons
Air CompressorGardner-Denver
Air Compressor ModelWBO
Air Brake ManufacturerWestinghouse
Air Brake Schedule24L
TrucksB-B
Truck TypeBlomberg
Truck Wheelbase9'
Wheel Size40"
Traction MotorsD47 (4), GM
Primary GeneratorD22, GM
Auxiliary GeneratorDelco (64-72)
AlternatorD14
MU (Multiple-Unit)Yes
Dynamic BrakesYes
Gear Ratio62:15
Tractive Effort (Starting)65,000 Lbs at 25%
Tractive Effort (Continuous)45,000 Lbs at 12 mph
Top Speed65 mph

Production Roster

Owner Road Number(s) Quantity Date Built
Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad30011963
Baltimore & Ohio659911962
Boston & Maine1750-175561961
Central Of Georgia171-17881960
Chicago & North Western1774-177961960
Grand Trunk Western4700-4707, 4950-4952111960
Illinois Central9400-9428291960-1963
Lehigh Valley302-30541960
Louisville & Nashville460-46121960
Missouri Pacific400-499, 534-550, 4801-48291451960-1963
New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway1800-1804 (Evens)31962
Nickel Plate Road700-709101960
Norfolk & Western915-962481959-1961
Norfolk Southern Railway (Original)1-17171963
Northern Pacific376-38491960
Phelps Dodge Corporation44-4631962
Rock Island1238-1239, 1256, 1329, 1333-1353251959-1963
Seaboard Air Line400-409101960
Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia Railway (TAG)80111960
Texas-Mexican Railway (Tex-Mex)854-85521963
Texas & Pacific Railway (MP)1145-114951960
Toledo, Peoria & Western60011961

Foreign lines to purchase the GP18 included National Railways of Mexico (37), Ministry of Communication and Transportation (3), Araraquara Railway of Brazil (12), Saudi Government Railway (1), and South Peru Copper (2).

Despite lukewarm sales success the EMD GP18 was a reliable locomotive, as can be demonstrated by the dozens of units that can to be employed by shortlines and industrial operations around the country.

Places one can still find the locomotive in service includes the Central California Traction, Minnesota Northern, RailLink, New York, Susquehanna & Western, Carolina Southern, Indiana Boxcar, Madison Railroad, Copper Basin Railway, Vermont Railway, Otter Tail Valley Railroad, Florida Central, Buffalo & Pittsburgh, Georgia Northeastern, and the Aberdeen & Rockfish still operates the only one it purchased #300. 

Sources

  • Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.
  • Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.
  • Schafer, Mike. Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 1998.
  • Solomon, Brian. American Diesel Locomotive, The. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 2000.
  • Solomon, Brian.  GE and EMD Locomotives:  The Illustrated History.  Minneapolis:  Voyageur Press, 2014.
  • Trzoniec, Stanley W.  Vintage & Modern Diesel Locomotives: Prime Movers Of America.  Minneapolis:  Voyageur Press, 2015.
  1. Home
  2.  ›
  3. Diesel Locomotives
  4.  ›
  5. EMD GP18

Recent Articles

  1. Alco/EMD "RSX-4"/"MRS-1" Locomotives

    May 29, 23 08:53 PM

    80001865151ty7h2897009.jpg
    The MRS-1, which stood for "Military Road Service," was a special road-switcher designed by Alco and EMD for the US Military in the 1950s.

    Read More

  2. Diesel Locomotives Of The 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, and Today

    May 29, 23 08:52 PM

    20095812761253511h1879186078.jpg
    Read about the history of diesel locomotives, how they function and operate, and the dozens of different models built by the five major manufacturers.

    Read More

  3. Railroad Roadmaster: Job Description & Salary

    May 29, 23 08:48 PM

    cr_wm_sd40-2b.jpg
    As the roadmaster/road foreman you are the senior ranking individual over a specific block or section of track and no trains can move without your authority.

    Read More

  4. Railroad Signal Maintainer: Jobs, Salary, Training

    May 29, 23 08:46 PM

    sigmain.jpg
    The signal maintainer, or signalman, keeps the active signals along the line in good working order and must be a master electrician. Learn more about the trade here.

    Read More

  5. Dynamic Brakes (Trains): Resistor, Control, Locomotives

    May 29, 23 08:45 PM

    020395721572372786893097307.jpg
    Dynamic braking has been a long-used feature of diesel locomotives since the 1930s to assist in slowing a train by using the traction motors.

    Read More


SteamLocomotive.com

Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives. 

It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. 

It is quite staggering and a must visit!