Locomotives
Reading Company, EMD GP35, Class RSE-14, #3640
Background & History
The 2500 horsepower GP35 was the successor to the GP30 in 1963. With 37 units, the GP35 represented the largest class of second-generation locomotives on the Reading. The first group of GP35’s was a group of six locomotives that were delivered to the Reading in December 1963 and were originally numbered 6501 thru 6506. This numbering and the numbering of the GP30’s in the 5500 series was to change in the latter half of 1964. The Reading joined a “Motive Power Bureau” in conjunction with B&O and C&O, and to avoid conflicts in numbering the GP30s were renumbered 3600-3619; and the GP35s were renumbered 3620-3626. Six Reading 1948 era F3 cab and booster units were traded into EMD to reduce acquisition costs including: cab units 261, 263-265, and B units 260-261.
The picture of 3640 and the above history comes to us courtesy of the Reading Modeler Group.
Twelve additional GP35 units were acquired in 1964 (3626-3637), with another 18 units (3638-3655) later the same year. In an unusual move (for the frugal Reading) they traded in their remaining 1948 F3 A & B units, but also the 1950 18-F7A & B units, which were only in service 14 years. The Reading did receive credit on the purchase by retaining the trucks (wheelsets with traction motors). The final Reading GP35 (3656) acquired May 1965, came with the trade in of wrecked damaged GP7 663. The 663 rolled into the Saucon Creek turntable pit.
The 37 GP35s along with the 20 GP30s made up a pool of units used in freight service all over the system. Some were pressed into passenger service during SEPTA Transit Worker contract disputes hauling MU cars to West Trenton. In April 1974, 3640 entered the Reading Shops for a comprehensive rebuild and was released in the Reading’s new Green with yellow trim scheme on August 26, 1974. It shared this scheme with the recently delivered GP39-2s and GP40-2s.
After several years in service on Conrail the 3640, the only group of units to retain their number series when merged into Conrail, was stored at Conway Yard in Pittsburgh. It was donated to the RCT&HS in September of 1994. The locomotive was started for testing in 2001 and was operational in 2003. The locomotive has since been torn down in a full restoration effort which is still ongoing. It remains the only road locomotive that sported the last Reading paint scheme, after repainting from an earlier scheme.
EMD GP35 #3640 Specifications
(As Built)
Builder:
Electro-Motive Division
General Motors
LaGrange, IL
Date Built:
Late 1964
Builder’s #:
29573
Engine:
Model 16V-567D3
2-stroke diesel
16 cylinder (Vee)
Horsepower:
2500
Top Speed:
71 mph
Weight:
262,130 lbs.
Continuous Tractive Effort:
51,400 lbs @ 12 mph
Length:
56’2″
Fuel:
2600 gallons
Lube Oil:
275 gallons
Water:
275 gallons
Aspiration:
Mechanically-assisted
turbocharger
Bore x Stroke:
8.5″ x 10″
Displacement:
9072 c.i.
Idle Speed:
315 rpm
Max Speed:
900 rpm
Transmission:
DC generator, DC traction motors
Brake System:
26-L Air and dynamic