In the late 1950's the horsepower race became heated and with the introduction of the 2500hp U25B from General Electric in 1960, EMD was caught short. It took 2 years to play catch-up and the result was the GP30.
Conrail units came from two predecessors that bought or inherited the 2250hp units. Reading ordered 20 units (5501-5520) from EMD in 1962 which became Conrail units 2168-2187. A total of 62 units from NYC and PRR were inherited by Penn Central (2188-2249) and became Conrail units 2188-2249.
The GP30 saw service into the early 1990's throughout the system. The final unit was retired in 1993, however GP30's can still be found performing service on other roads today.
Former Conrail 2185, ex RDG 3617, nee RDG 5517, now Indiana Northeastern 2185(INE) on the ex NYC Waterloo Branch south of Reading, Michigan in Sept. 2003
Photo by Chris Howe
INE(Indiana Northeastern) GP30 2185 powers this southbound freight on the ex New York Central, nee LS&MS Waterloo Branch near Montgomery, Michigan in September 2003. This engine is ex LTEX 2185, former Conrail 2185, nee RDG 3617, nee RDG 5517
Photo by Chris Howe
