The Uceta GP16 was a series of rebuilt diesel-electric locomotives, a result of a remanufacturing program initiated by the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad in an effort to spare the cost of purchasing new motive power in the late 1970s. This involved the rebuilding of their aging fleet of 155 EMD GP7, GP9, and GP18 road switchers (many of which were over twenty years old).

The required modifications took nine weeks per unit on average to complete. The program resulted in a cost savings of almost 50% over buying new locomotives.

Included in the program:

• Rebuilding the underframe assembly;
• Remanufacturing the Blomberg B two-axle trucks, generators, and traction motors (all GP16s were configured with a B-B wheel arrangement);
• Replacing the existing 567 prime mover with a new EMD 645 series diesel engine, which boosted the horsepower rating to 1,600 in the case of the former GP7 locomotives. This gave rise to the 16 designation.
• Removal of the dynamic brakes, and installation of a new type 26L air brake system.
• Installation of a new high-voltage cabinet.
• Lowering the front nose of the carbody to improve visibility, and retrofitting with a new cab and standard AAR control stand.

Ancillary benefits included a lowered engine idling speed and increased fuel efficiency. SCL committed over 100 of its personnel to the conversion program. The first GP16 emerged from SCL's Uceta (Tampa) shop in June 1979 while the last was placed into service during November 1982

Features:

• All are Ready-to-Run. Some details may be included for installation by the modeler.
• These GP16 locomotives will be manufactured with finely molded parts that have been designed to reproduce railroad specific details.
• All locomotives are factory equipped with an ESU LokSound 5 DCC Sound Decoder (equipped for Sound units) or an ESU LokPilot 5 DCC Non-Sound Decoder (Equipped for Non-Sound. An optional DC only plug is available upon request.
• Prototype specific details to match the cab, the trucks, short hoods, Dynamic Brakes, the rear lights, etc, particular to each road name
• Etched metal details
• Wire grab irons
• Laser sharp paint and lettering
• Kadee Couplers

DC only customers may reserve models with a dealer as "DC only". Note that some lighting functions may not operate correctly or at all when a locomotive is converted to DC only.

DC only locomotives are non-sound only.

49849(S)

Stock Number / Locomotive Number

-01  608             -02 609

-03  610             -04 Unum-

Looking for more Intermountain GP-16 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!