The Most Popular Diesel Locomotive, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the diesel locomotive you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 5, 2024 06:35
Many enthusiasts and professionals within the railway industry find it valuable to understand which diesel locomotives are favored for their efficiency, power, and historical significance. A collective ranking can provide insights into trends and preferences that might not be apparent from sales data or individual testimonials alone.
By casting a vote for your preferred diesel locomotives, you contribute to a dynamic accumulation of public opinion. This process helps to highlight the models that stand out due to their performance, design, and technological advancements, guiding potential buyers and enthusiasts in their decisions and discussions.
What Is the Most Popular Diesel Locomotive?
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166votes
Augy8400 · CC BY-SA 4.0This locomotive has been in production for over 50 years and is still in use by many railroads due to its reliability and versatility. It has a horsepower of 2000 and a top speed of 65 mph.The EMD GP38-2 is a popular diesel locomotive that was first introduced in 1972. It is widely recognized for its reliability and versatility, making it one of the most successful locomotives ever built.- Engine: EMD 16-645E3, V16 diesel engine
- Power output: 2000 horsepower
- Weight: 143 tons
- Length: 56 feet, 2 inches (17.12 meters)
- Maximum speed: 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour)
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243votes
Morven · CC BY-SA 3.0This locomotive is widely used in North America due to its high horsepower (4400) and ability to pull heavy loads. It has been in production since 1993. -
324votes
EMD SD70M
Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD)This locomotive is known for its powerful AC traction motors and high horsepower (4000). It is commonly used by Class I railroads in North America.The EMD SD70M is a widely recognized and highly regarded diesel locomotive primarily used in freight train operations. It belongs to the SD70 series, which was manufactured by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD), a division of General Motors.- Power output: 4,000 hp (2.98 MW)
- Prime mover: EMD 710 engine
- Engine type: V16, two-stroke diesel
- Maximum speed: 70 mph (113 km/h)
- Tractive effort: up to 180,000 lbf (800 kN)
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420votes
GE ES44AC
General ElectricThis locomotive is known for its fuel efficiency and high horsepower (4400). It is commonly used by Class I railroads in North America.The GE ES44AC is a popular diesel-electric locomotive that is commonly used in freight transportation. It is known for its efficiency, power, and reliability.- Built: 2003-present
- Length: 73 feet 2 inches (22.3 meters)
- Weight: 432,000 pounds (196,032 kilograms)
- Engine: GEVO-12, 12-cylinder, four-stroke
- Power output: 4,400-4,500 horsepower
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514votes
S.L. Dixon · CC BY-SA 3.0EMD SD40-2
Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD)This locomotive has been in production since the 1970s and is still in use by many railroads. It has a horsepower of 3000 and is known for its reliability.The EMD SD40-2 is a widely recognized and popular diesel locomotive that was built by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD). Known for its ruggedness and reliability, it has been a workhorse for freight railroads since its introduction in 1972. The SD40-2 features a distinctive hood design and a powerful two-stroke 16-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine.- Power output: 3,000 horsepower
- Engine: EMD 16-645E3 2-stroke turbocharged V16 diesel engine
- Tractive effort: 65,000 lbf
- Maximum speed: 65 mph
- Weight: 389,000 lbs
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68votesThis locomotive has been in production since 1995 and is known for its high horsepower (4400) and ability to pull heavy loads. It is commonly used by Class I railroads in North America.The GE AC4400CW is a high-powered diesel locomotive used in freight train operations. It is widely known for its reliability, efficiency, and versatility.
- Power Output: 4,400 horsepower
- Prime Mover: GE 16-cylinder 7FDL16 engine
- Weight: 432,000 lbs
- Length: 73 ft 2 in
- Maximum Speed: 70 mph
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712votes
William Grimes · Public domainThis locomotive was produced from the 1950s to the 1970s and is still in use by many short line railroads. It has a horsepower of 1750 and is known for its reliability.The EMD GP9 (General Purpose locomotive, 9th series) is a popular diesel-electric locomotive model built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. It was widely used in North America from the late 1950s to the 1980s. The GP9 locomotive was a versatile workhorse that served both freight and passenger railroads, and over 4,000 units were produced in total.- Power Type: Diesel-electric
- Weight: approximately 247,000 pounds
- Prime Mover: EMD 567C 16-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine
- Horsepower: 1,750 horsepower
- Tractive Effort: 60,500 lbf
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87votes
GE U30C
General Electric (GE)This locomotive was produced in the 1970s and is still in use by some railroads. It has a horsepower of 3000 and is known for its reliability.The GE U30C is a popular diesel locomotive that was manufactured by General Electric (GE). It was widely used in North America during the 1960s and 1970s, primarily by Class I railroads. The U30C was known for its reliability, power, and versatility in various freight operations.- Power output: 3,000 horsepower
- Engine: GE FDL-16
- Cylinders: 16
- Top speed: 70 mph (113 km/h)
- Weight: 391,000–397,500 lb (177,000–180,300 kg)
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93votesThis locomotive was produced in the 1940s and 1950s and is still in use by some tourist railroads. It has a horsepower of 1500 and is known for its classic design.The EMD F7 is a diesel-electric locomotive that was built by the Electro-Motive Division (EMD) of General Motors between 1949 and 1953. It is widely regarded as one of the most popular and iconic locomotives of its time.
- Power output: 2,000 horsepower
- Prime mover: EMD 567B 16-cylinder
- Engine type: Two-stroke diesel
- Top speed: 65-95 mph (105-153 km/h)
- Weight: 279,000-315,000 pounds (126.5-142.9 tonnes)
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107votesThis locomotive was produced in the 1980s and 1990s and is still in use by some railroads. It has a horsepower of 4000 and is known for its reliability.The GE Dash 8-40CW is a popular diesel locomotive that was manufactured by General Electric (GE) Transportation. It belongs to the Dash 8 series of locomotives and was designed for freight services on mainline railroads. This locomotive model gained significant popularity in North America and has been used by various railway companies.
- Type: Diesel-electric locomotive
- Power output: 4,000 horsepower
- Prime mover: GE 7FDL16
- Cylinders: V16
- Maximum speed: 70 miles per hour (110 kilometers per hour)
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Ranking factors for popular diesel locomotive
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Traction and tractive effortThe ability of a locomotive to exert force on its wheels and maintain grip on the rails is essential for hauling heavy loads and negotiating steep gradients. Locomotives with better traction and higher tractive effort will rank higher.
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Reliability and durabilityA reliable and durable locomotive requires less maintenance and experiences fewer breakdowns, reducing operating costs and ensuring smooth operations.
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Operational flexibilityLocomotives that can operate in varying conditions and adapt to different train types (freight, passenger, or mixed) are more versatile and therefore more popular.
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TechnologyFeatures such as advanced control systems, remote diagnostics, and engine management systems can improve the performance, efficiency, and ease of maintenance of a diesel locomotive.
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Safety featuresThe adoption of modern safety systems, such as collision avoidance systems, wheel slip protection, and electronic braking systems, make a locomotive more popular among operators.
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Environmental impactLocomotives with lower emissions and noise levels are more environmentally friendly and preferable in a time of increasing focus on sustainable transport options.
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Operator comfortA well-designed cab that provides good visibility, ergonomics, and comfort for the locomotive crew can influence the popularity of a locomotive.
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Lifecycle costThe total cost of ownership, including initial purchase price, operating costs (fuel, maintenance, and spare parts), and eventual disposal costs, should be taken into account when assessing a diesel locomotive's popularity.
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Manufacturer reputationLocomotives from manufacturers with a strong history of quality products, excellent customer support, and a widespread service network are likely to be more popular.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular diesel locomotive. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Locomotive is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2319 views
- 188 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Locomotive once every 24 hours. The rank of each Locomotive is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular diesel locomotive
Diesel locomotives have been a staple of the railway industry since the mid-20th century. These powerful machines are used to haul freight and passengers across vast distances, and have played a crucial role in the development of modern transportation infrastructure.
There are many different types of diesel locomotives, each with their own unique features and capabilities. Some are designed for high-speed passenger service, while others are optimized for hauling heavy freight trains over long distances.
One of the most popular diesel locomotives is the General Electric AC6000CW, which was first introduced in 1995. This powerful locomotive is capable of hauling massive loads at high speeds, and is widely used by freight railroads across the United States.
Other popular diesel locomotives include the EMD SD40-2, the GE Dash 9, and the EMD GP38-2. Each of these locomotives has its own strengths and weaknesses, and is suited for different types of service.
Overall, diesel locomotives have played a crucial role in the development of modern transportation infrastructure, and continue to be an essential part of the global economy.
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