The EMD G22C Series were first introduced in 1968 to replace the popular G12 along with various improvements. They carry a low per axle weight on their Flexicoil Type-GC trucks and were now the first model series to have a low nose as a standard option as well.
The G22 series now carries a U or W suffix after the model designation to indicate the type of traction motors. A C indicates six-axle C trucks, while a 4 indicates six-axle A1A trucks (only four of them powered); although there never has been an indication of A1A trucks until 1993.
The designations could apply to any kind of export locomotive design of EMD or another licensee of EMD as long as the electrical & mechanical gear was left unaltered.
Overview With the introduction of the 645 engine for export models in 1967, the model designation numbers changed by adding 10. To meet customer demands of a six axle version of the popular G12, EMD created the GR12 which was slightly longer and taller to accommodate the six axle Type-GC trucks.
Although the orders lacked for the GR12 due to the weight and size of the locomotive, EMD revised and designed the lighter G22 series model to accommodate the Flexicoil Type-C truck and introducing the new EMD 645 series engine. With relocation of the batteries within the carbody and increasing the fuel tank capacity, the G22C series was the same length to that of its four axle counterpart, the G22. Production spanned longer than the four axle G22 version, but with smaller orders.
Several models were introduced:
G22CW G22CU G22CU-2 GL22C GL22C-2 GL22MC
G22CW
The EMD G22CW was first introduced in 1969. Unlike its predecessor GR12, the G22CW carried a CW suffix which indicated that this model had six axles (C) and traction motors that could fit from standard gauge rails to gauge rails (W).
The G22CW found most of its popularity in Argentina and Sri Lanka, as the largest order were each placed by them with 15 units.
Production spanned from July 1976 to November 1990
GM G22CW ordersBuilderCountryRailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotesEVSAPeruCentromin139The only G22C built by Equipamentos Villares S.A.EMDPeruCerro de Pasco138The First G22CW builtASTARSAArgentinaFerrocarriles Argentinos407901 – 7940Thyssen HenschelSri LankaSri Lanka Railways16783 – 798Imported to Sri Lanka in 1979. Still in operation.
G22CU
The EMD G22CU first appeared in 1969. Designed mainly for the narrow gauge market, the G22CU carries a CU suffix which indicates that this model has six axles (C) and traction motors that can fit from one meter gauge to 5 ft 6 in gauge rails (U).
The G22CU found most of its popularity in Pakistan, as older locomotives were being replaced.
Production spanned from February 1969 to June 1982.
EMD G22CU OrdersBuilderCountryRailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotesEMDChileFerrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia21410 – 1411#1410 is the first G22CU builtEMDMaliChemin de Fer du Mali2CC1671 – CC16721 meter gaugeEMD & ASTARSAArgentinaFerrocarriles Argentinos967701 – 7796Assigned to Ferrocarril General Belgrano; 7701 – 7720 built by General Motors, 7721 – 7796 built by ASTARSAEMDLiberiaNational Iron Ore Co. Ltd.228 – 29EMD & GMDPakistanPakistan Railways624801 – 4832, 4901 – 49304801 – 4832 built by EMD, 4901 – 4930 built by GMDEMDTaiwanTaiwan Railway Administration25R151 – R175MACOSABrazilViação Férrea do Rio Grande do Sul (RFFSA)246201 – 6224Built during the Brazilian Miracle era
G22CU-2 Beginning on January 1, 1972, export locomotives then had the option to carry EMD Dash 2 electronics, adding the (-2) suffix to the locomotive model. Only Argentina and Taiwan purchased the G22CU-2.
Production spanned from March 1992 to August 2001
EMD G22CU-2 OrdersBuilderCountryRailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotesEMDArgentinaBelgrano Sur Line5MF701 – MF705EMDTaiwanTaiwan Cement6R191 – R196EMDTaiwanTaiwan Railway Administration10R181 – R190
GL22C When most second and third world railroads couldn't operate standard EMD Locomotives due to their weight, EMD introduced the L suffix which indicated the locomotive had a lightweight frame. The locomotive designation was changed to GL22C. However, as these locomotives had a much lighter frame, the application of the U or W suffixes no longer applied.
Production spanned from December 1971 to May 1977
EMD GL22C OrdersBuilderCountryRailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotesHenschel & SonMaliChemin de Fer du Mali2CC1681 – CC1682EMDNigeriaNigerian Railway Corporation301126 – 1155EMDGuineaOffice National du Chemin de Fer de Guinée2CC1601 – CC1602Henschel & SonSenegalRégie des Chemins de Fer du Senegal2CC1701 – CC1703EMDMoroccoSociété Ferrite de Rif21 – 2
GL22C-2 Being the rarest of the G22C series, the GL22C-2 model combined a lightweight frame and the new EMD Dash 2 electronics.
Production was only for Queensland Rail, who were the sole purchaser.
EMD GL22C-2 OrdersBuilderCountryRailroadQuantityRoad NumbersNotesClyde EngineeringAustraliaQueensland Rail242400 – 24232400 classClyde EngineeringAustraliaQueensland Rail182450 – 24672450 classClyde EngineeringAustraliaQueensland Rail382470 – 25072470 class
GL22MC New Zealand DF Class 30 Togo Rail S.A CC class 1651 to 1653.
Phasing Only two general variations have been noticed during the G22C production.
Phase 1: Larger frame sill, air reservoir slung under skirting.
Phase 2: Smaller frame sill, air reservoir exposed, and two horizontal bars along intake grilles.
There have been various as-modifications on railroads as well, but are excluded due to various degrees of completion on the modification.
Models The G22CU/G22CW model is represented in HO scale by Frateschi. Due to the accommodation of the motor, the model is not entirely accurate.
See also List of EMD locomotives List of GMD Locomotives EMD G22CU Brazilian Miracle RFFSA Astarsa
Sources Electro-Motive Division Export GM Models
Henschel und Sohn GmbH GM Export Models
Frateschi G22CU HO Scale Model GM G22CU Data Sheet EMD G22CU Article in Portuguese