HO GP18, RI #1340

HO GP18, RI #1340 Overview

Rock Island's 1300-series GP18s came from EMD in 1960 (1333-1343) and 1961 (1344-1353). The units joined GP7 and GP9 examples on the road's roster, in addition to many more uncommon early diesels that served Rock Island. From main line power used across the 14-state system in their early years to local power, the GP18s saw much use and many miles on the fabled Rock Island.

The EMD GP18 began production in late 1959 and was based on the builder's extraordinarily successful GP9, although the latter model was still in production at the time. The GP18 is considered the last of the builder's “first generation” models. Similar in appearance to the GP7 and GP9, the GP18 was slightly more powerful and came with the option of a low or high short cab hood, something that had only been upon special request with EMD's first two road switcher models. It used the final version of General Motors first locomotive prime mover, the 16-cylinder model 567D1 which could produce 1,800 horsepower, the most powerful in the series up to that time. At just over 56 feet in length the GP18 was the same length as its predecessor models and was visually very similar, with the exception of new radiator grills which were also used on the GP20.

While thousands of GP7s and GP9s were produced just a few hundred GP18s were ultimately built for a little more than two dozen railroads. Today, several GP18s remain in operation on numerous short lines and industrial operations around the country.