GE U28B

The GE U28B diesel-electric locomotive model replaced the U25B in early 1966, featuring a slightly uprated prime mover (only 300 hp (220 kW) more power than the U25B). Early units had the same car body styling as the U25B, while later units had design features (e.g., shortened nose) more in common with later models. After only a year of production, this model was superseded by the U30B.

General Electric U28B
Milwaukee Road U28B #5505
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems Model U28B Build date January 1966–January 1967 Total produced 148
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Prime mover GE FDL-16 RPM range 650–1050 rpm Traction motors GE-752
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (110 km/h) Power output 2,800 hp (2,100 kW) Tractive effort 70,000 lbf (310 kN) (starting) 64,000 lbf (280 kN) (continuous)

Trains Magazine editor David P. Morgan wrote about General Electric's decision to go with 2800 horsepower in its 1966 locomotive production. The short article Morgan wrote in the November 1965 issue had line drawings of the proposed short nose U28B.

Original owners

Railroad	Quantity	Numbers	Notes
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad	20	106-115, 140-149	to Burlington Northern 5450-5459, 5470-5479, all late-style carbody
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad	17	130-135, 137-140, 380, 393-398	393-398 U25B-style carbody, all others late-style
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad	42	240-281	240-254 U25B-style carbody, 255-281 late-style
Great Northern Railway	6	2524-2529	to Burlington Northern 5460-5465, late-style carbody
Louisville and Nashville Railroad	5	2500-2504	late-style carbody, all rebuilt to U30B
New York Central Railroad	2	2822-2823	to Penn Central, Conrail 2822-2823, late-style carbody
Norfolk and Western Railroad	30	1900-1929	high-nose, late-style carbody
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad	22	2800-2821	U25B-style carbody
Southern Pacific Railroad Company	4	7025-7028	Served as GE demonstrators from 2/66 to delivery in 8/66, U25B-style carbody

Preservation

Only two U28B's are in preservation, and one of them has been rebuilt to U30B specs.

GE Transportation Systems Model U28B diesel-electric locomotive Transkentucky Transportation Incorporated 260 as preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum.

• Transkentucky Transportation Incorporated 260 is preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum. It was built as Chicago Burlington and Quincy 114 in December 1966.
• Vintage Locomotives Inc 5323, originally built as Louisville and Nashville 2504, is preserved at the Southern Appalachia Railway Museum. It was rebuilt to U30B specs late into its career.

References

• Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years: A Guide to Diesels Built Before 1972. Railroad Reference Series. Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-258-2.
• Morgan, David P. (November 1965). "GE's reaction to the competition: too mild or just right". Trains. p. 14.
• Withers, Paul K. (September–October 2009). "General Electric's U28B". Diesel Era. pp. 6–56.

External links

• Sarberenyi, Robert. GE U28B Original Owners