The EMD NW3 was a 1,000 hp (750 kW) road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division of La Grange, Illinois between November 1939 and March 1942. A total of seven were built for the Great Northern Railway, the sole original purchaser; they were originally numbered #5400-5406 and later renumbered #175-181.

EMD NW3
The NW3 at Whitefish in 2013.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel Electric
BuilderElectro-Motive Division
ModelNW3
Build dateNovember 1939 - March 1942
Total produced7
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
TrucksBlomberg B
Prime moverEMD 12-567
Engine typeV12 Two-stroke diesel
AspirationRoots blower
Cylinders12
Loco brakeStraight air
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 mph (129 km/h)
Power output1,000 hp (750 kW)
Career
OperatorsGreat Northern Railway
Numbers5400–5406; later 175–181
Retired1965–1968
DispositionOne preserved, remainder scrapped

The locomotive fundamentally consists of an NW2 hood, prime mover (a V12 EMD 567 diesel engine) and main generator on a long frame with road trucks (Blomberg Bs). The extra length was used for a large cab and an additional, full-width hood section, which contained a steam generator for passenger service. The boiler's exhaust was in the front center of the cab, between the front windows and exiting at the middle of the roof front.

The locomotives were delivered in GN's black diesel paint scheme of the time, but were later repainted in the bright, orange and green "Empire Builder" scheme. The short exhaust stacks as delivered were at some point replaced by standard conical EMD switcher stacks.

The first four locomotives were traded in by GN to EMD on new locomotives in 1965. The remaining three locomotives were sold to other railroads: #179 was sold to A.E. Staley Co. of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, keeping the same number; then locomotive #179 was purchased by Locomotive Trouble Shooters, from Fairless Hills, PA 19030 and the engine was replaced, #180 was sold to the Clinchfield Railroad as their #361; #181 went to Anaconda Aluminum as their #100. The Clinchfield locomotive was scrapped; the Anaconda Aluminum unit is on display at the Whitefish, Montana depot in its GN "Empire Builder" colors, locomotive #179 was still in service in Morrisville, Pennsylvania until 2019 when it was scrapped.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "STSX 179".

Further reading

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