NRE 3GS21B

NRE 3GS21B
A new NRE 3GS21B locomotive in the Union Pacific scheme.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderNational Railway Equipment (NRE)
Model3GS21B
Build dateDecember 2006 (2006-12) – Present
Total produced182
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo'Bo'
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Prime moverCummins QSK19C (×3)
Engine typeDiesel engine (×3)
AspirationTurbocharger (×3)
Cylinders6 (×3)
Performance figures
Power output2,100 hp (1,570 kW)
Career
OperatorsSee list

The NRE 3GS21B is a low-emissions diesel genset locomotive built by National Railway Equipment (NRE). Instead of a single prime mover, the NRE genset locomotive is powered by three separate 700 horsepower (522 kW) Cummins QSK19C engines providing a total power output of 2,100 horsepower (1,570 kW). Each engine could be individually started or shut off depending on how much power is needed, reducing overall diesel emissions and improving fuel efficiency. More than 150 of the 3GS21B genset locomotives have been produced to date, with the majority of these units being manufactured at NRE's Mount Vernon shops in Southern Illinois. In addition, three road slug models have also been produced. The main difference between this and the NRE 3GS21C is that these units are on B-B (four wheel) trucks and the others are on C-C (six wheel) trucks.

Flexibility

Because the engines are modular, flexibility is obtained:

Original buyers

RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
BNSF Railway
72
1220-1294
1293-1294 equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE. 1259 converted to Q19-2.4GH for Canadian National and remembered 7100 in 2025
California Northern Railroad
6
500-505
Canadian Pacific
2
2100-2101
Both units equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE, 2100 retired 5/13, 2101 retired 6/13 (both returned to NRE).
CSX Transportation
21
1300-1315, 1321-1325
4 units sold to San Joaquin Valley Railroad and 2 to California Northern Railroad for rebuilding into NZE24B locomotives by Knoxville Locomotive Works. Remaining units sold to KXHR. 1324 sold to LTEX. 1321 was rebuilt from a B36-7 numbered 5850 in 2010 by NRE.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
2
3248-3249
Both units equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE
Metro Stevedore
1
805
Equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE
Neptune Bulk Terminals
3
805-805A, 808-808A, 809-809A
805A, 808A and 809A are the only road slug model built to date.
Norfolk Southern
2
300-301
Nova Chemicals
2
9120-9121
National Railway Equipment
7
2008-2009, 2011, 2013–2015, & 2020
Demonstration Units
Pacific Harbor Line
4
30-31 & 33-34
Tacoma Rail
1
2100
Union Pacific
59
Y2701-Y2760
United States Army
7
6500-6506
San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad
2
SDIY 701-702
Total182

See also

References

  1. ↑ "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
  2. ↑ Train Web: Gensets Gen-set switchers by National Railway Equipment.
  3. ↑ Cummins Marine (August 2002). "Bulletin 4000084: QSK19-M" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ "CN debuts its first medium horsepower hybrid diesel electric locomotive". Trains. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
  5. ↑ Metro Ports
  6. ↑ Neptune Terminals
  7. ↑ Tacoma Rail Locomotives Tacoma Rail Acquires Eco-friendly Locomotives.
  8. ↑ Train Web: Gensets Roster information on NREC 3GS21B engines.
External images
image icon RailPictures.Net – NRE 3GS21B photographs from RailPictures.Net.
image icon Railroad Picture Archives – Photographs of the NRE 3GS21B at Railroad Picture Archives.