EMD LWT12
Encyclopedia
The EMD LWT12 was an experimental diesel locomotive
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1956 and 1958, and designed to pull light high-speed passenger trains. Power was provided by an EMD 567C 12-cylinder
engine which produced 1200 horsepower
(890 kW).
The LWT12 was essentially an EMD SW1200
switcher
locomotive, suitably geared for high-speed passenger rail service and wrapped in a distinctive aerodynamic shell.
Originally, the EMD LWT12 was intended to be part of an unseparable set along with ten specially designed high-speed, low-cost, 40-foot passenger cars. These cars were built from bus bodies sourced from GM's GMC division which were then widened by 18 inches, had their front and rear modified and were attached to a generic undercarriage. The advantages of this design were that instead of refurbishing the whole carriage, the body mounted on the undercarriage would be scrapped in whole and a complete new modified bus body would be installed in its place with all of the different technical advances that had been developed, essentially resulting in a completely new car for a fraction of the cost. Also, all parts used by these carriages were sourced internally by GM and were also used in other products. All of this meant that initial outlay, as well as maintenance costs, were significantly lower than traditional passenger cars resulting in a situation where railroad companies could offer rail fares similar to bus fares of the time.
This design, as well as the EMD LWT12 were the cover feature article of the September 1955 Popular Mechanics magazine.
Two of these whole trainsets are known to have been built for the purpose of being driven across the United States for public viewing. Eventually, these trains became the Aerotrain
.
Only three LWT12 units were built. First one, EMD serial number 20826, entered service with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad to pull the "Talgo
Jet Rocket" train between Chicago
and Peoria
. Second and third units, EMD serial numbers 21463 and 21464, became integrated in the Aerotrain
. Two of the three LWT12 locomotives are now in the care of museums.
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1956 and 1958, and designed to pull light high-speed passenger trains. Power was provided by an EMD 567C 12-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
engine which produced 1200 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
(890 kW).
The LWT12 was essentially an EMD SW1200
EMD SW1200
An EMD SW1200 is a diesel switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1954 and May 1966. Power was provided by an EMD 567C 12-cylinder engine which generated 1200 horsepower...
switcher
Switcher
A switcher or shunter is a small railroad locomotive intended not for moving trains over long distances but rather for assembling trains ready for a road locomotive to take over, disassembling a train that has been...
locomotive, suitably geared for high-speed passenger rail service and wrapped in a distinctive aerodynamic shell.
Originally, the EMD LWT12 was intended to be part of an unseparable set along with ten specially designed high-speed, low-cost, 40-foot passenger cars. These cars were built from bus bodies sourced from GM's GMC division which were then widened by 18 inches, had their front and rear modified and were attached to a generic undercarriage. The advantages of this design were that instead of refurbishing the whole carriage, the body mounted on the undercarriage would be scrapped in whole and a complete new modified bus body would be installed in its place with all of the different technical advances that had been developed, essentially resulting in a completely new car for a fraction of the cost. Also, all parts used by these carriages were sourced internally by GM and were also used in other products. All of this meant that initial outlay, as well as maintenance costs, were significantly lower than traditional passenger cars resulting in a situation where railroad companies could offer rail fares similar to bus fares of the time.
This design, as well as the EMD LWT12 were the cover feature article of the September 1955 Popular Mechanics magazine.
Two of these whole trainsets are known to have been built for the purpose of being driven across the United States for public viewing. Eventually, these trains became the Aerotrain
Aerotrain (GM)
The Aerotrain was a streamlined trainset introduced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division in the mid-1950s. Like all of GM's body designs of this mid-century era, this train was first brought to life in GM's Styling Section. Chuck Jordan was in charge of designing the Aerotrain as Chief...
.
Only three LWT12 units were built. First one, EMD serial number 20826, entered service with the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad to pull the "Talgo
Talgo
Talgo is a Spanish manufacturer of railway vehicles. It is best known for a design of articulated railway passenger cars in which the wheels are mounted in pairs, but not joined by an axle, and being between rather than underneath the individual coaches...
Jet Rocket" train between Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Peoria
Peoria, Illinois
Peoria is the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County, Illinois, in the United States. It is named after the Peoria tribe. As of the 2010 census, the city was the seventh-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 115,007, and is the third-most populated...
. Second and third units, EMD serial numbers 21463 and 21464, became integrated in the Aerotrain
Aerotrain (GM)
The Aerotrain was a streamlined trainset introduced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division in the mid-1950s. Like all of GM's body designs of this mid-century era, this train was first brought to life in GM's Styling Section. Chuck Jordan was in charge of designing the Aerotrain as Chief...
. Two of the three LWT12 locomotives are now in the care of museums.