U-50s

[spikejones52002]

What ever happen to G.E.'s U-50s?

All I ever seen of them was in "N" gauge about 20 years ago.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The first U50's (UP 31-53 & SP 9950-9952) ran their 15 years, more or less, and were sold for scrap.  They were designed primarily for UP and were rarely found off-line.  Some were leased briefly by C&NW in the early 1970's but they were not well-suited for C&NW's track.

The U50C's (UP 5000-5039) were a variation on the double-diesel concept.  Their aluminum wiring was  major weakness and they were retired and scrapped with less than 15 years service and relatively low mileages.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget about the few owned by SP. Although they were gone by late 1978.

[trainfan1221]

Didn't GE have two versions of a double locomotive?

[Anonymous]

Yes although they were both U50's. One had two 3-axle trucks the other had four 2-axle trucks.

[tatans]

My favourite diesel locomotive, and there are plenty of them in brass H O  on e-bay.  Are there any preserved??? 

[Murphy Siding]

Yes although they were both U50's. One had two 3-axle trucks the other had four 2-axle trucks.

Wouldn't four 2-axle trucks make a locomotive bind the wheels on a sharp curve?

[SSW9389]

All U50s and all U50Cs have been scrapped.

 

My favourite diesel locomotive, and there are plenty of them in brass H O  on e-bay.  Are there any preserved??? 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Yes although they were both U50's. One had two 3-axle trucks the other had four 2-axle trucks.

Wouldn't four 2-axle trucks make a locomotive bind the wheels on a sharp curve?

A span bolster was used to link each pair of 2-axle trucks.

[Anonymous]

I really am surprised UP didn't save a couple of the U50's, as well as the much loved C855 A-B-A set. I'd like to see one of the U50's person!

[Lord Atmo]

they certainly were unique. i'm not a big fan of the nose design, but i've always loved those BB+BB locomotives. and because they were unique, i agree one should've found a new home in a museum. but there's not much we can do about it now.

[beaulieu]

they certainly were unique. i'm not a big fan of the nose design, but i've always loved those BB+BB locomotives. and because they were unique, i agree one should've found a new home in a museum. but there's not much we can do about it now.

The correct wheel arrangement notation is B+B-B+B, the "+" indicating the span bolster under each end.