Perioudically, I see engines designated with suffixes.

These are the ones I remember off the top of my head

Gp-9m, Rs-3m, Gp-9au, (think i saw the "au" on some alcos too SD-70m, SD-75?i

Sd-40-3

and of course the "changes" Gp-8, Gp-10

Can anybody tell me what these mean and which ones were given by the manufucter and which signify some sort of aftermarket stuff?

Thank you.

Many of these designations are arbitrarily assigned by particular roads, and are quite inconsistent. The "M" suffix on older models generally denotes "rebuilt," but could refer to many different types of rebuild. I think the same goes for "AU." On newer GM models, "M" refers to a wide cab (as in GP60M). The "I" designation in "SD75I" refers to an isolated cab, a new development with GM diesels that puts a rubber (?) buffer between the cab and the frame. It looks pretty much the same as an SD75M. The "Dash-2" and "Dash-3" denominations refer to electrical systems; "Dash-2's" were built by GM as such, whereas "Dash-3's" are inconsistently named rebuilds. Totally new model numbers like GP-8 and GP-10 are applied by railroads rebuilding units, not by manufacturers.

If I got anything wrong, please, someone correct me!

Frank Hicks

fullparallel@wideopenwest.com

fd = fuzzy dice in the windshield.

lr = low rider (combined with as for air shocks)

gsp = glass packs

nrb = neon running boards

Could provide more but lost my JC Whitney catalog.

Dave



irondave@bellsouth.net

As I recall, the lower case "m" was applied to EMD's 1950's rebuilds of 1930's Winton engined locomotives. Because they used reclaimed components they had lower HP than contemporary locomotives with the same carbodies. Thus an E-8m had 2000 HP vs 2250 for an all-new E-8 and a SW-900m had 600 HP.

This appears to be the first use of suffixes.

Electric City Trolley Museum Association