NRE 3GS21B

NRE 3GS21B
A new NRE 3GS21B locomotive in the Union Pacific scheme.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder National Railway Equipment (NRE) Model 3GS21B Build date December 2006 (2006-12) – Present Total produced 182
Specifications Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Prime mover Cummins QSK19C (×3) Engine type Diesel engine (×3) Aspiration Turbocharger (×3) Cylinders 6 (×3)
Performance figures Power output 2,100 hp (1,570 kW)
Career Operators See list

The NRE 3GS21B is a low-emissions diesel genset locomotive built by National Railway Equipment (NRE). Instead of a single prime mover, the NRE genset locomotive is powered by three separate 700 horsepower (522 kW) Cummins QSK19C engines providing a total power output of 2,100 horsepower (1,570 kW). Each engine could be individually started or shut off depending on how much power is needed, reducing overall diesel emissions and improving fuel efficiency.^[1] More than 150 of the 3GS21B genset locomotives have been produced to date, with the majority of these units being manufactured at NRE's Mount Vernon shops in Southern Illinois.^[2] In addition, three road slug models have also been produced. The main difference between this and the NRE 3GS21C is that these units are on B-B (four wheel) trucks and the others are on C-C (six wheel) trucks.

Because the engines are modular, flexibility is obtained:

• If one engine fails, the others can continue at reduced power.
• When reduced power is needed, one or more of the engines can be turned off, saving fuel and wear and tear.
• The QSK19C engine is common to the four variants of the NRE 3GS21C locomotive.
• The QSK19C engine is also widely used for non-railway applications, and spare parts are readily available.^[3]

• 
  A brand new 3GS21B locomotive painted for the BNSF Railway.
• 
  An NRE 3GS21B leads a Union Pacific train along street running trackage at Anaheim, California.
• 
  Two brand new U.S. Army 3GS21B locomotives working at Fort Lewis, Washington.
• 
  Brand new MBTA 3GS21B-DE at South Station.
• 
  MBTA 3GS21B-DE on the Grand Junction Railroad.

• NRE 3GS21C

External images
RailPictures.Net – NRE 3GS21B photographs from RailPictures.Net.
Railroad Picture Archives – Photographs of the NRE 3GS21B at Railroad Picture Archives.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to NRE 3GS21B locomotives.

• National Railway Equipment Archived 2007-09-01 at the Wayback Machine – Official N-ViroMotive Product Page