| Posted by xBNSFer on August 8, 2016 | |
The SD50s were 3,500 hp (for traction, as most locomotives are rated), compared with the SD45/SD45-2 at 3600 hp, but got it from a 16 cylinder 645 engine, unlike the '45s that needed 20 cylinders. Alas, the extra 500 hp being squeezed from the 645 proved too much, and the SD50s suffered from extensive prime mover failures. Hence, the replacement SD60 with the bigger displacement 710 diesel engine to get 3,800 hp. But this was too little, too late as GE in the same time frame was delivering the first of its microprocessor controlled "DASH 8" line, which permanently established GE as the number 1 locomotive builder in the U.S.
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