### A Monster in the Making: The Union Pacific's Gas Turbine-Electric Locomotive The 1950s were a time of transition for the railroad industry. As diesel-electric locomotives gained popularity, steam engines were on the way out. However, Union Pacific, a U.S. railway conglomerate, had other plans. The company was obsessed with the "Gross Ton-Miles per Train-Hour" formula, which calculated transport efficiency. They wanted a locomotive that could replace multiple diesel engines needed to pull heavy coal trains up steep mountain grades without breaking a sweat. ### The Birth of the GTEL The answer to Union Pacific's prayers was the Gas Turbine-Electric Locomotive (GTEL). This behemoth of a machine seemed to defy the laws of physics with its cost efficiency and sheer power. The GTEL was a torque monster that could deliver four times the power of a diesel-electric locomotive, making it the perfect solution for hauling heavy loads through challenging terrain. ...
### A Monster in the Making: The Union Pacific’s Gas Turbine-Electric Locomotive
The 1950s were a time of transition for the railroad industry. As diesel-electric locomotives gained popularity, steam engines were on the way out. However, Union Pacific, a U.S. railway conglomerate, had other plans. The company was obsessed with the “Gross Ton-Miles per Train-Hour” formula, which calculated transport efficiency. They wanted a locomotive that could replace multiple diesel engines needed to pull heavy coal trains up steep mountain grades without breaking a sweat.
### The Birth of the GTEL
The answer to Union Pacific’s prayers was the Gas Turbine-Electric Locomotive (GTEL). This behemoth of a machine seemed to defy the laws of physics with its cost efficiency and sheer power. The GTEL was a torque monster that could deliver four times the power of a diesel-electric locomotive, making it the perfect solution for hauling heavy loads through challenging terrain.
### The Challenge of the Wasatch Grade
One of the biggest challenges for Union Pacific was pulling heavy loads through the Wasatch Grade, a 65-mile-long climb with a 1.14% incline through Utah’s Wasatch Mountains. The railroad needed a locomotive that could handle the steep grade and heavy loads, and the GTEL was up to the task. In fact, the GTEL was so powerful that it could transport a 5,000-ton rail convoy across the Wasatch Mountains without breaking a sweat.
### A Loud and Powerful Companion
However, the GTEL came with a downside: it was so loud, powerful, and hot that some cities wouldn’t let it pass through. The locomotive’s noise and heat generated were so intense that they posed a risk to nearby communities.
### A Legacy of Innovation
Despite its limitations, the GTEL remains an important part of locomotive history. Its development marked a significant milestone in the evolution of rail transport, and its influence can still be seen in modern locomotives today.
### A Blast from the Past
The Union Pacific’s Gas Turbine-Electric Locomotive is a reminder of the innovative spirit that drove the railroad industry in the mid-20th century. As we look to the future of transportation, it’s essential to remember the pioneers who paved the way for us.
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