GE U17C

GE U17C

U17C in service for CFS in Syria

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Electric Model U17C Build date 1973–1981

Specifications AAR wheel arr C-C UIC class Co′Co′ Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Length 52 ft 9 in (16.08 m) Loco weight 118,000 lb (53,524 kg) or 59 short tons (52.679 long tons; 53.524 t) Prime mover GE FDL-8T Engine type 4-stroke diesel Aspiration Turbocharger Displacement 5,344 cu in (87.57 L) Generator DC generator Traction motors DC traction motors Cylinders V8 Cylinder size 9 in × 10.5 in (228.6 mm × 266.7 mm) Transmission diesel electric Loco brake Straight air, Dynamic Train brakes 26-L air

Performance figures Power output 1,700 hp (1,270 kW) Tractive effort 57,000 lbf (253.5 kN) @ 30%

Career Operators CFS, Lebanese national railway company. Numbers 64 mph (103 km/h) (?) Locale Syria, Lebanon

The GE U17C diesel-electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation as an export model roadswitcher in 1973. Easy to spot due to its relatively short length — 52 ft 9 in (16.08 m) — it was powered by the 8-cylinder FDL-8T engine.

Very similar to the U18B, it included an extended body section to house a larger air filter and cooling units.

Original purchasers included Syria's CFS, and the Lebanese national railway company.

The GE U17C is also used on the Aqaba Railway Corporation for transporting phosphates from the Mines to Aqaba.

Original Owners

Railroad	Quantity	Works No.	Local Designation	Numbers	Notes
Chemins de Fer Syriens	15	40664-78	LDE-1800	301-315	Intended for freight
Chemins de Fer Syriens	15	40679-93	LDE-1800	351-365	17001-IP, intended for passenger traffic

References

• GE Advanced Generation, 1989 by James W. Kerr
• GE Locomotives Vols 1 & 2, 1981, by James W. Kerr
• Car & Locomotive Encyclopedia, 1984, Simmons & Boardman Publications
• Modern Locomotive Handbook, 1979, Railway Fuel & Operating Officers Assn.
• Diesel & Electric Locomotives Specifications, 1981, by F. K. Hudson
• GE Export U-Series Model Evolution by Steve Plmano