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Bio[]
The GE (General Electric) U25B is a type of four-axle, 16-cylinder, 2,500hp diesel locomotive built from 1959 to 1966 with 478 built. It was the first commercially successful domestic diesel locomotive built for the North American market by the company, for it was the first entry which signified their departure from ALCO's partnership.
The U25B is part of GE's Universal Series (known simply as "U-boats" by railfans and enthusiasts), and was the first domestic model built within the line.
History[]
What was originally known as the XP24, the two high-hood U25B testbeds eventually progressed the Universal line further into domestic production equipped with their revolutionary turbocharged GE 7FDL-16 prime-movers capable of providing 2,500hp: something previously not accomplished by rival EMD, but rather with their six-axle, 2,400hp SD24 built from 1958 to 1963 and later four-axle 2,500hp GP35 built from 1963 to 1965.
Unfortunately, the model proved to be less popular than what was expected, for the GP35 outsold the U25B in epic proportions.
Despite not living up to GE's expectations in terms of sales, the model marked the beginning of GE's long and prosperous career in the locomotive manufacturing industry, and serves as a landmark in railroad history.
