Featured CollectionTwenty-Eights
Rare Models make the Rounds
Essentially a naturally-aspirated version of the more more popular GP and SD35, the 28-models were not big sellers from EMD's 1960s catalogs. But the 43 units that were ordered and constructed enjoyed interesting careers at home and aboard.
Illinois Central Gulf #9451
EMD SD28 / Valmeyer, Il / Aug 1982 / Mike Woodruff
n production for less than two years, the GP28/SD28 models from the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors stand as intermediate and unpopular locomotive products between the more popular GP18 and the widely successful GP38 and its Dash 2 successor. All of these models share in common a non-turbocharged prime mover, and a case can be made that the 28s were basically GP35 and SD35 models (produced in the same era) without the turbocharger. The 28 models represented a final departure from the smaller carbody and rounded roof line of the immensely successful GP7, GP9, and GP18 General Purpose line that put EMD on the diesel locomotive production throne. EMD's angular Spartan cab -- new to the 28s and the 35s -- would become the standard GM look for several decades, until the mass adoption of the wide nose safety cab now taken for granted on modern motive power. But despite its clean lines and what would become that familiar EMD road switcher look, neither the GP28 or SD28 proved to be a big seller: less than four dozen would roll off the LaGrange, Illinois, assembly floor in 1964 and 65. By contrast, main and shortline railroads alike would scoop up the later 38 series by the hundreds. Even so, several 28 models found work on Deep South short hauls like the Columbus & Greenville, the Missisippi Central, and later the Georgia Pacific shortlines in Arkansas.
General Purpose 28
- builder:Electro Motive Division
- model:GP28
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:Mar 1964 - Nov 1965
- production:16 US, 10 Mexico
- engine:EMD 567D1 (16 cyls, 1800 hp)
- engine range:275-800 rpm
- cylinders:8 1/2" x 10" each
- aspiration:roots type aspiration
- wheelbase:41'
- size:56'2" long, 15' high, 10'3" wide
- weight:280,000 lbs
- fuel capacity:1700 gals
- generator:EMD D32
- traction motors:(4) EMD D-47
- notes:
- two radiator fans and two small stacks
3' shorter than GP38 series carbodies
Special Duty 28
- builder:Electro Motive Division
- model:SD28
- type:C-C road switcher
- built:Jul 1965 - Sep 1965
- production:6 US, no international
- engine:EMD 567D1 (16 cyls, 1800 hp)
- engine range:275-800 rpm
- cylinders:8 1/2" x 10" each
- aspiration:roots type aspiration
- wheelbase:48'
- size:60'8" long, 15' high, 10'4" wide
- weight:390,000 lb
- fuel capacity:1200 gals
- generator:EMD D32
- traction motors:(4) EMD D-57
- notes:
- two radiator fans
10 handrail posts along long hood
near Fordyce, Ar / Oct 1987 / JCH
Roster shots on this page are from our collection or gathered from around the web.
Whenever possible, permission was sought to post web images here.
GP28
GP28 drawing / Michael Eby drawing
Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi #1815
Monroe, La / Oct 2006 / Stephie Kolata
Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi #1816
Monroe, La / Jan 2006 / Derek Poole
Ashley, Drew & Northern #1812
Crossett, Ar / Apr 1986 / JCH
Chihuahua Pacific #806
Chihuahua, Mexico / May 1983 / Ron Hawkins
Chihuahua Pacific #808
Chihuahua, Mexico / May 1983 / Ron Hawkins
Fordyce & Princeton #1805
Crossett, Ar / Apr 1987 / collection
Illinois Central #9434
McComb, Ms / Oct 1981 / Todd Minsk
Illinois Central #9438
Markham, Il / Oct 1979 / Chuck Zeiler
Illinois Central #9439
Chicago, Il / May 1976 / Richard Kundert
Illinois Central #9441
Birmingham, Al / Feb 1977 / Richard Kundert
Iowa Railroad #9437
Altona, Il / May 1984 / Jim Altman
Meridian & Bigbee #1806
Meridian, Ms / Nov 2011 / Mick Nussbaum
Mississippi Central #211
Hattiesburg, Ms / 1967 / David Price
San Joaquin Valley #1826
Gosford, Ca / Apr 2012 / Josh Rodriguez
San Joaquin Valley #1829
Bakersfield, Ca / Jan 2011 / AJ Burgess
Tennken #9433
Dyersburg, Tn / Jan 2014 / Darren Doss
Tennken #9434
Dyersburg, Tn / May 2000 / Butch Getz
Tennken #9435
Dyersburg, Tn / Oct 2006 / Stephie Kolata
Illinois Central #9436
Hammond, La / Mar 1977 / Michael Palmieri
EMD General Purpose 28 - Original OwnersSD28
SD28 drawing / collection
Columbus & Greenville #701
Columbus, Ms / Jun 1970 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #702
Columbus, Ms / Dec 1969 / JCH
Illinois Central Gulf #9451
Mike Condren
Illinois Central Gulf #9451
Indianapolis, In / Oct 1974 / Richard Kundert
Links / Sources
- Jerry Pinkepank, The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide (Kalmbach, 1974) 57, 74
- Diesel Shop spec sheets for GP28 and SD28
- Wikipedia articles for GP28 and SD28
- Trains And Locomotives Wiki GP28 page