NRE 3GS21B

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 load 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.

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

Flexibility

Because the engines are modular, flexibility is obtained:

• If one engine fails, the others can continue at reduced power.
• If a lower axle load is needed, one engine can be left off.
• 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]

Original buyers

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
BNSF Railway	72	1220-1294	1293-1294 equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE
California Northern Railroad	5	501-505
Canadian Pacific	2	2100-2101	Both units equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE, 2100 retired 5/13, 2101 retired 6/13 (both returned to NRE).
CSX Transportation	16	1300-1316	6 units sold to San Joaquin Valley Railroad and rebuilt by Knoxville Locomotive Works
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority	2	3248-3249	Both units equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE
Metro Stevedore[4]	1	805	Equipped with dynamic brakes, classified as 3GS21B-DE
Neptune Bulk Terminals[5]	3	805-805A, 808-808A, 809-809A	805A, 808A and 809A are the only road slug model built to date.
Norfolk Southern	2	300-301
Nova Chemicals	2	9120-9121
National Railway Equipment	7	2008-2009, 2011, 2013–2015, & 2020	Demonstration Units
Pacific Harbor Line	4	30-31 & 33-34
Tacoma Rail	1	2100[6]
Union Pacific	59	Y2701-Y2760
United States Army	7	6500-6506
San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad	2	SDIY 701-702
Total	182[7]

• 
  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.

See also

• NRE 3GS21C

References

1. "N-Viromotive new locomotive". www.nationalrailway.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01.
2. Train Web: Gensets Gen-set switchers by National Railway Equipment.
3. Cummins Marine (August 2002). "Bulletin 4000084: QSK19-M" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2013.
4. Metro Ports
5. Neptune Terminals
6. Tacoma Rail Locomotives Tacoma Rail Acquires Eco-friendly Locomotives.
7. Train Web: Gensets Roster information on NREC 3GS21B engines.

External links

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

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