GE 25-ton switcher – Wikipedia

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Type of switcher locomotive produced by General Electric

GE 25-ton Switcher
GE 25T 507 ALL.JPG

A GE 25-ton switcher in Brazil. This example has been converted to meter-gauge.
Specifications
Configuration: ​
 • Whyte 0-4-0
 • AAR B
 • UIC B
Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter 33 or 34 inches (838 or 864 mm)
Minimum curve 40 ft (12.19 m)
Length: ​
 • Over couplers 18 ft 2 in (5.54 m)
 • Body 16 ft 0.5 in (4,890 mm)
Width 8 ft 5.5 in (2,578 mm)
Height 10 ft 7.375 in (3,235 mm)
Loco weight 25 short tons (22 long tons; 23 t)
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel capacity 75 US gal (280 L; 62 imp gal)
Lubricant cap. 5 US gal (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
Coolant cap. 11 US gal (42 L; 9.2 imp gal)
Sandbox cap. 5 cu ft (0.14 m3)
Prime mover Cummins HBI-600
Displacement 672 cu in (0.01101 m3)
Generator General Electric GT-1503
Traction motors General Electric GE-733
 • Continuous 349 amperes
Cylinders 6
Cylinder size 4.875 in × 6 in (123.8 mm × 152.4 mm)
Gear ratio 19.1:1 Double reduction
Career
Operators United States Armed Forces, many industrial customers, some railroads
Nicknames Critter
Locale North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Central America, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia
Disposition Many retired and scrapped, some in service, a few preserved in museums
Statistics sourced from [1]

The GE 25-ton switcher (also known as a 25-tonner) is a model of diesel-electric switcher locomotive that was produced by GE Transportation at their Erie, Pennsylvania, facility between 1941 and 1974. Most examples were produced for industrial customers or the United States Armed Forces, although a number of examples were purchased by freight railroads as well. The majority of production was for customers in the United States and Canada, but export models were produced for buyers on five continents. Production totaled approximately 550 units over 33 years, making it one of the most widely produced switchers in American history.

The small size, low top speed (20 mph or 32 km/h) and low power output (150 hp or 110 kW) of the locomotive made it unsuitable for much beyond switching duties. GE specifically marketed the locomotive as an industrial switcher with a low cost. Many 25-tonners operated for decades, and into the 21st century. A number have been preserved at museums, where some continue to perform switching duties.

Design and production[edit]

Design[edit]

The 25-ton switcher was designed primarily for switching duties (moving railroad cars to and from loading/unloading facilities, as well as making up and breaking down trains), with both low power output and low top speed for a locomotive. While not very capable of hauling mainline trains, these features made it cheaper than most other locomotives. For rail-served industries, military installations, and other customers who only needed locomotives for switching and could rely on railroad companies to haul their trains elsewhere, this made it an attractive purchase, and GE specifically marketed the locomotive towards such customers.[2] GE claimed in advertising that the locomotive could reduce the time needed to switch cars by 50 percent, with an availability rating of 97.7 percent – figures which far exceeded those of maintenance-heavy steam locomotives.[3] The 25-tonner’s small size also allowed it to fit in places where larger locomotives could not, an asset in industrial facilities and yards where clearances were often low.[4][5]

A United States Army 25-tonner being unloaded in France in 1944

The locomotive was designed as a hood unit to improve visibility for the engineer, essential for switching duties. Power was generated using a 6 cylinder Cummins HBI-600 diesel engine producing 150 hp (110 kW) at 1,800 rpm.[6] This engine powered a single GE GT-1503 main generator, which in turn provided electricity to the single rear-mounted GE-733 traction motor which powered the rear axle. Power was provided to the forward axle using a chain drive.[4][1] The unusual chain drive system for a locomotive was part of the reason for its top speed being limited to 20 mph (32 km/h).[1]

While most examples were built in 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge, GE produced models anywhere between 3 ft (914 mm) gauge and standard gauge.[2] Some 25-tonners were built to meter-gauge and exported to Brazil.[7]

Production[edit]

Throughout the long history of the locomotive’s production, minor changes were made to its shape and the location of features such as the bell, exhaust pipe, and lights. Otherwise, the fundamental design was largely unchanged throughout the entirety of the locomotive’s 33 year production history. Towards the end of production, GE added an independent axle suspension to new 25-tonners, a feature shared with the GE 35-ton switcher.[6] Many customers made modifications to their 25-tonners after purchase, ranging from minor changes such as moving the bell to completely replacing the prime mover and adding an independent brake.[4]

When the final example was produced in 1974, production totaled approximately 550 locomotives, making the design one of GE’s most built locomotive models.[5][8] While the majority of production was for customers in the United States or Canada, 25-tonners were built for customers in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.[9]

Operating history[edit]

25-ton switchers were for many years a very common site at rail-served industries in need of small, cheap locomotives capable of switching cars around the many sidings found on their properties. Some examples of users include grain elevators, U.S. military facilities, steel mills, and commuter railroads.[4][7][10][11]

The 25-tonners have been nicknamed “critters” by operators and railfans alike, due to their small size. This nickname is shared with similar GE products such as the closely related 23-ton switcher.[1]

Starting in the 1970s, most 25-ton switchers were gradually replaced, either by more powerful and modern switcher locomotives, or by railcar movers.[10] Many railcar movers can also travel on roads for additional flexibility, unlike the 25-tonner. A number of 25-tonners continued to operate into the 21st century, a testament to their durability.[5][12] Some have found a second life at railroad museums, where they are used to move equipment.[12][13]

Modeling[edit]

PIKO manufactures a G scale model of the 25-tonner.[14] Manufacturer Grandt Line also produces 25-tonner models in HO scale.[15]

Preservation[edit]

Golden Spike National Historical Park’s 25 tonner

A number of 25-tonners have been preserved at museums, and some have been restored to operating condition.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d TM 55-1268: Locomotive Diesel-Electric 56’/2′ Gage General Electric 23 and 25 Ton, 0-4-0 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army. March 1954.
  2. ^ a b Peck, C.B. (1950). 1950-1952 Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practice. New York, NY: Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corporation. p. 194.
  3. ^ Pit & Quarry. Pit & Quarry Publications. 1947. p. 106.
  4. ^ a b c d e “LIRR “25 ton” Locomotive #399″. rmli.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b c Kawala, Dana (January 25, 2019). “PIKO America General Electric 25-ton switcher”. Trains. Retrieved 2021-11-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b Marre, Louis A. (1995). Diesel locomotives : the first 50 years : a guide to diesels built before 1972. Waukesha, WI: Kalmbach Pub. Co. p. 193. ISBN 0-89024-258-5. OCLC 34531120.
  7. ^ a b Komanesky, John (December 24, 2016). “GE 25 Ton roster”. thedieselshop.us. Retrieved 2021-07-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ a b “Museum acquires 25-ton diesel”. Illinois Railway Museum. December 18, 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ Solomon, Brian (2014). GE and EMD locomotives : the illustrated history. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press. p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7603-4612-9. OCLC 868039631.
  10. ^ a b c “MKT 400 – GE 25-TON”. Oklahoma Railway Museum. Retrieved 2021-07-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ Livingston, Jeff (2014). Oahu’s Narrow-Gauge Navy Rail. Arcadia Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-4671-3197-1.
  12. ^ a b “General Electric 25-ton Switcher “Mighty Mouse”“. Steam Railroading Institute. Retrieved 2021-11-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ a b “PTM 89”. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. 2017-01-07. Retrieved 2021-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ “25 Tons of Fun! Piko’s GE Switcher in G Scale”. Model Railroad News. 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2021-07-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ “HO Scale Rolling Stock”. Grandt Line. Retrieved January 22, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ “Locomotive L-2, GE-25 Ton – Nevada Southern Railway”. Nevada Southern Railway Museum. Nevada Southern Railway. Retrieved 2021-07-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ “Critter Move”. Phillipsburg Railroad Historians. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  18. ^ “General Electric 25-ton Switcher “Mighty Mouse”“. Steam Railroading Institute. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  19. ^ “National Register Database and Research – National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)”. www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  20. ^ a b “Arkansas Railroad Museum Auxiliary Equipment”. Arkansas Railroad Museum. Retrieved January 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ Gord, Howard (January 11, 2019). “Museum a reminder of rail’s glory days”. The St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  22. ^ “Providence and Worcester locomotive 150”. Seashore Trolley Museum. Retrieved 2022-12-10.