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 Total produced 30
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC 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 Maximum speed 64 mph (103 km/h) Power output 1,700 hp (1,270 kW) Tractive effort 57,000 lbf (253.5 kN) @ 30%
Career Operators CFS,[1][2] Hedjaz Jordan Railway[1] Aqaba Railway[1] Locale Syria, Lebanon, Jordan

The GE U17C diesel–electric locomotive was introduced by GE Transportation as an export model road switcher locomotive 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.^{[citation needed]} 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,^[1][2] and the Hedjaz Jordan Railway.

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

Original Owners

Railroad	Build date	Quantity	Works No.	Local Designation	Numbers	Notes
Chemins de Fer Syriens	1973	15	40664-78	LDE-1800	301-315	Intended for freight[2]
	1-2/1976	4			316-319
	2/1976	15	40679-93		351-365	17001-IP, intended for passenger traffic[2][3]
Aqaba Railway	11-12/1974	10			954-963	1,050 mm (3 ft 5+11⁄32 in) track gauge.
Hedjaz Jordan Railway	1979	18			?

References

1. "GE U17C". The Diesel Shop. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
2. "CFS Motive Power". Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
3. "GE Locomotives in Asia & Middle East". Locopage. Retrieved 4 May 2009.

• Kerr, James W. (1989). GE Advanced Generation.^{[full citation needed]}
• Kerr, James W. (1981). GE Locomotives. Vol. 1 & 2.^{[full citation needed]}
• Car & Locomotive Encyclopedia. Simmons & Boardman Publications. 1984.^{[full citation needed]}
• Modern Locomotive Handbook. Railway Fuel & Operating Officers Assn. 1979.^{[full citation needed]}
• Hudson, F.K. (1981). Diesel & Electric Locomotives Specifications.^{[full citation needed]}
• Plmano, Steve. GE Export U-Series Model Evolution.^{[full citation needed]}