Celebrating A History of Railroad Industry Excellence

With the hammering into place, in 1869, of the Golden Spike connecting the Atlantic and Pacific rail lines, a whole new age began.

The new power of coal steam was harnessed... the dime-sized curve of a flanged steel touching the flat of a steel rail brought people and places closer together, allowing resources and products to be shipped between the two greatest oceans in the world...

Today, as the Soujourner beams back pictures of a red planet, railroads - and the diesel locomotives that make them go - still have a major impact on people everywhere. And Electro-Motive, and GM, have helped shape their grand and gritty history for more than 80 glorious years.

Come take a ride with us through EMD's formative role in the rich rail industry.

1920s	The country was booming and the railroads were too. Powerful steam locomotives hauled passengers and freight from coast to coast as skyscrapers rose and cities grew. In 1922, H.L. Hamilton and Paul Turner founded Electro-Motive ... >>> More
1930s	The railroads were setting new standards for travel speed and comfort, and the gleaming steamies like the Orange Blossom Special ruled the day. With the introduction of the Pioneer Zephyr, Electro-Motive (now a part of GM) proved that the diesel-electric locomotive was a new technology to be reckoned ... >>> More
1940s	During the Second World War, EMD engines powered the famous U.S. Navy LST vessels and sub-chasers while our locomotives were fast becoming the choice to move the goods that victory was made. After D-Day, Americans could enjoy the scenic landscape from over 150 name trains pulled by EMD's diesels ... >>> More
1950s	A new breed of workhorse, the pug-nosed GEEP began to show up everywhere. Engineers and mechanics alike enjoyed its classic functionality. EMD also sold its first SD (Special Duty 6-axle) locomotive, a smooth idling powerhouse. During this time, GM merged their large engine business, Cleveland Diesel Engine Division, into Electro-Motive ... >>>More
1960s	As the first generation diesels were nearing retirement, EMD introduced a new industry standard, the 645 Series engine. In 1969, on the 100th anniversary of the Golden Spike. The Union Pacific Railroad celebrated this historic event by purchasing EMD's biggest locomotive ever -- a 98 foot, 6,600 hp DDA40X ... >>>More
1970s	In 1972, EMD premiered the Dash 2 locomotive which would become the backbone and workhorse of the North American fleet ... >>>More
1980s	Once famous railroads were now quickly disappearing from the scene. The transportation industry in the U.S. was deregulated, changing forever the way in which railroads would do business. Market dynamics mandated the age of the "smart" locomotive. EMD's revolutionary wheel slip system improved performance while onboard computers improved locomotive availability. As the decade progressed, EMD turned its engineering expertise towards applying AC traction technology to the North American railroads ... >>>More
1990s	In delivering unprecedented levels of tractive effort and rail adhesion, EMD's SD60MACs proved more freight could be hauled with fewer locomotives. With the help of new technologies, railroads everywhere are upgrading their fleets to handle record traffic volumes. As the decade ended, EMD received the largest single order for locomotives ever placed with EMD by the Union Pacific for 1,000 SD70M locomotives which is also the largest order given in their history. The SD70M model is known worldwide for its high reliability, proven technology, and solid maintenance record... >>>More
2000s	EMD begins making major inroads in the European market as its new Class 66 locomotive is cross-border certified in numerous countries in Continental Europe. As the domestic and international transportation markets continue to expand, Greenbriar Equity and Berkshire Partners acquire Electro-Motive from General Motors... >>>More