An EMD GP60 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1985 and 1994. The GP60 was EMD's first diesel that was classified as a third-generation locomotive. Hidden behind the electrical cabinet doors on the rear wall of the cab, the GP60 concealed a trio of microprocessors that monitored and managed a host of engine, cooling system and control functions. A hallmark of the 60 series and the defining detail of third-generation locomotives, on-board microprocessors replaced hundreds of wiring circuits, dozens of relays and all but one module card in what many observers consider to be one of the most significant technological advances since the dawn of dieseldom.

Power was provided by a 16-cylinder EMD 710G3 diesel engine, which could produce 3,800 horsepower. This locomotive was 59 feet 9 inches long and featured a 3,700 gallon fuel tank. The GP60 series shared the same frame as the GP59. Cabless units of this locomotive model were also built; they were known as GP60B models, purchased exclusively by the Santa Fe Railroad. Units built with a comfort/safety cab and a wide nose were designated GP60M and all purchased by Santa Fe Railroad. A total of 294 GP60, 23 GP60B and 63 GP60M units were built by EMD. Due to the mainstream focus of railroads on big powerful six-axle units, the GP60 will most likely be the last new EMD "Geep".

Railroads and Models

Santa Fe followed its 40 standard-cab GP60s with an order for 63 custom GP60Ms. The first new units delivered in the road's revived "Super Fleet" Warbonnet Paint Scheme, and the only 60 series B-Bs built with North American cabs, Santa Fe GP60Ms 100-162 were delivered between May and September 1990.

23 GP60Bs were built, all for Santa Fe. Taking advantage of the cabless configuration, the dynamic brake equipment on the GP60B was moved forward and away from the prime mover. Santa Fe 325-347 were the only GP60Bs. Some of these remain in service with BNSF.

Rio Grande's first (and last) 60 series units were GP60s 3154-3156, built to SP specs in May 1990.

Southern Pacific purchased the first, last, and largest fleet of GP60s, ordering 195 units between December 1987 and Feb. 1994. Nearly half of the SP Fleet was lettered for subsidiary Cotton Belt, but an even 100 were pure Southern Pacific.

Two units built for the Texas Mexican Railway were returned to lessor Helm Financial after Kansas City Southern acquired the Tex Mex. The pair operated for a while in lease service on CSX, then were briefly on the roster of the Vermont Railway System as its 381-382 before that carrier deemed them unsuitable for its operations. The 381 was even repainted into VRS red and white before being returned to Helm in 2004.

It is rumored that Conrail was considering purchasing GP60s but this has not been substantiated.

Original owners

EMD GP60 orders
Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	40	4000-4039	Now owned by BNSF Railway & numbered BNSF 8700-8730, 8732-8739 (ATSF 4031 wrecked & retired)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)	1	106	Used at the Savannah River Site near Aiken, South Carolina.
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad	3	3154-3156	Now owned by Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1900-1902
EMDX	3	EMD 5-7	GP60 Demonstrators. Now owned by CSX Transportation and numbered CSXT 6897-6899.
Norfolk Southern	50	7100-7150	7100 was originally 7117. The unit was involved in a fatal accident in which the conductor was killed, and after being repaired in July-1998, at the request of the victim's family that NS no longer use that number, was renumbered NS 7100. Units 7137, 7138, & 7143 were damaged when NS train 226 rear-ended another NS train. 7137 was destroyed. 7138 & 7143 suffered significant damage, but were sent to the NS Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA for possible repair.
Southern Pacific Railroad	100	9600-9619, 9715-9794	Now with Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1902-1921, 2015-2097.
St. Louis Southwestern Railway	95	9620-9714	Now with Union Pacific Railroad and renumbered UP 1984-1987, 1990-1993, 1995, 1997-2000, 2003-2014
Texas Mexican Railway	2	869-870	Now Helm Financial and renumbered HLCX 7700-7701
EMD GP60B orders
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	23	325-347	Now with BNSF Railway as BNSF 325-347
EMD GP60M orders
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	63	100-162	Now with BNSF Railway as BNSF 100-162 (142, 144, 148, 152 wrecked & retired)