Western Pacific GP20 History: The WP became the first buyer of the EMD GP20, when introduced in 1959, with an order for six units. The GP20 was an important milestone in locomotive design, they were EMD's first step into turbocharging as a …

The EMD GP20 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between November 1959 and April 1962. Power was provided by an EMD 16-567D2 16-cylinder turbocharged engine which generated 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kW).

Western Pacific became the first customer for EMD’s new turbocharged GP20 when in 1959 they ordered six of the new units. Numbers 2001-2006 came to the WP adorned in the then standard aluminum and orange “California Zephyr” inspired paint scheme with Western Pacific adorning the long hood in a single line.

Western Pacific #2001, an EMD GP20, heads to the crew change point in Portola from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum to greet the incoming Feather River Express. Western Pacific GP20 #2001 prepares to assemble the 2011 Feather River Express for its trip back to the Bay Area the next day.

WP considered replacement of its now nearly worn out fleet of FT’s at the precise moment EMD was developing its high horsepower (2000 h.p.) Model GP20. This brought cancellation of the GP9 order in 1959 when WP opted for the new GP20.

Western Pacific 2001 was the first GP-20 build by EMD. Thanks in part to EMD's sales claims that the new GP20 would reduce scheduled maintenance time by 60% and increase freight speeds with a 2 for 3 replacement of older power, Western Pacific purchased 6 units numbered 2001-2006 in 1959 at a cost of $212,793.

2024年12月16日 · Electro-Motive's GP20 was the builder's first turbocharged model in the General Purpose series. Interestingly, it was inspired by Union Pacific's efforts to turbocharge the 567 prime mover. It was also the first road-switcher offered with a standard low nose/hood, designed to provide crews greater forward visibility.

Developed by Reppo, the Western Pacific GP20 for Train Simulator features a range of advanced operating features, including authentic start-up procedures and highly realistic operating controls, and a detailed cab interior with dual, bi-directional engineer control stands.

Former Western Pacific GP20 #2002 has become #2001 -- believe it or not! Read on and you will see how we now have two #2001 GP20's that are ex-Western Pacific. Western Pacific was the first railroad to buy EMD's new GP20 model in 1959. Relco owned about 130 units.

Western Pacific was the first railroad to purchase the GP20 and the 2001 was the very first GP20 built. The 2001 and her nine sisters served the WP for over 20 years, lasting until a few years after the December 1982 merger with the Union Pacific.