Nomenclature and Manufacturer of UP's "Big Blow" Gas Turbines

[Anonymous]

I've looked, but can't find the manufacturer or the model for these UP gas turbines. I know the UP tested them, but wasn't all that impressed, unless I'm mistaken.

[?]

[Anonymous]

They were built by Alco and GE Fuel consumption and high noise levels were their biggest downfalls.They were effcient at full power,but they burnt nearly as much fuel idling as the did wide open.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, do you know what the nomenclaturewas? Like, AC4400W, that type of nomenclature.

[Anonymous]

I only know that there were 55 of them,some 4500 horsepower,the last built were 8500 hp.I dont see any info on how UP classified them.Sorry.Don

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Don. I think I was looking at the 8500HP models. No big deal.

"Heart of B & O coal country" - West (by god!) Virginia?

[Anonymous]

Yes sir!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I don't think that ALCO had anything to do with the Gas Turbines. IIRC GE built the carbodies in Erie.

[dehusman]

I think by "nonclamenture" you mean "model ID". There was no manufacturer's ID since these weren't production locomotives, they were custom designs for the UP. The class was basically the road numbers of the series or they were referred to by their physical configuration (e.g. Veranda Turbine).

Dave H.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I have seen the large gas turbines unofficially classified as GTEL-8500. A model designation for the turbines is a similar situation to electric locomotives. The classification by the road that operated them is usually the one that's used.

[Anonymous]

The first turbine, No. 50, was built by Alco-GE in 1948 and was tested extensively on UP in 1949. Although it was painted in Union Pacific colors, the railroad never owned No. 50, but it paved the way for the GE turbine fleet which followed. The first ten UP turbines, Nos. 51-60, packing 4,500 horsepower each, were delivered to UP by General Electric in 1952. Fifteen more of these units were ordered in 1954 and numbered 61-75. Thirty units of a larger model, numbered 1-30, were delivered between 1958 and 1961. With a hefty 8,500 horsepower apiece, the last 30 units were the largest locomotives ever built.