PNR 900 class

The PNR 900 Class is a class of 21 GE U14C and U15C locomotives that first appeared on the tracks of the Philippine National Railways in 1973. They were an extremely popular locomotive at the time and were used for both Amianan Express and Bicol Express passenger train services.

PNR 900 Class
DEL 919 passing through Posadas crossing
Type and origin Power type Diesel Electric Designer General Electric Builder GE Transportation Serial number 39238-39242 41848-41857 4753.1-4753.6 Model GE U14C Prototype (901-905) GE U14C (906-916) GE U15C (917-922) Build date 1973 (901-905) 1979 (906-916) 1991 (917-922) Total produced 21
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Wheel diameter 36 in (914 mm) Minimum curve 30 degrees Wheelbase 3.188 m (10 ft 5.5 in) per bogie Length 56 ft (17,000 mm) Width 2.753 m (9 ft 0.4 in) Height 3.874 m (12 ft 8.5 in) Axle load 13.720 t (13.503 long tons; 15.124 short tons) Loco weight 118,000 lbs Fuel type Fuel oil Fuel capacity 2,700 L (590 imp gal; 710 US gal) Prime mover 7FDL-8 4 stroke V8 RPM range 400 rpm minimum 1,050 rpm maximum Engine type Diesel engine Aspiration Elliott H-584 turbocharger Alternator GMG-146 Generator DC 10 pole GE GT601 Traction motors 4x GE 761 Cylinders 8, arranged in V Transmission 93/18 gear ratio
Performance figures Maximum speed 64 mph (103 km/h) Power output 1,560 hp 1,400 hp Tractive effort Starting: 57,000 lbs @ 30% Continuous: 54,300 lbs @ 8 mph Factor of adh. 25% starting 20% continuous Brakeforce undisclosed
Career Operators Philippine National Railways Class 900 Class Number in class 21 Numbers 901 - 922 Delivered 1973 (901-905) 1979 (906-915) 1991 (917-922) First run 1974 Disposition Active: 9 Inactive: 12
902 was derated from 1560 HP to 1400 HP because the engine of 906 is fitted to 902 919 was derated from 1560 HP to 1400 HP because the engine of 915 is fitted to 919 919's original engine is fitted to 914 to revive the unit

Build Numbers

Locomotive Number	Build Number	Notes
901	39238	Built in Erie, PA
902	39239
903	39240
904	39241
905	39242
906	41848
907	41849
908	41850
909	41851
910	41852
911	41853
912	41854
913	41855
914	41856
915	41857
917	4753.1	Built in Montreal, Canada
918	4753.2
919	4753.3
920	4753.4
921	4753.5
922	4753.6

Status

Locomotive Number	Status
901	Scrapped
902	Under Rehabilitation thru Desco Inc.
903	Scrapped
904	Renumbered (as 2nd) 908, then Scrapped
905	Scrapped (collided with 910 between Hondagua and Calauag)
906	Beyond Economical Repair
907	Scrapped
908	Renumbered as 916 in 1989. Currently under repair at Caloocan
909	Scrapped
910	Scrapped (collided with 905 between Hondagua and Calauag)
911	Beyond Economical Repair
912	Bombed by New People's Army during the tenure of President Marcos
913	Under Rehabilitation thru Desco Inc.
914	Active
915	Beyond Economical Repair
917	Active (Overhauled by PNR Caloocan Workshop; in orange livery)
918	Active (Overhauled by MRail-MDJV, equipped /w G.E BSS)
919	Active (Overhauled by MRail-MDJV, equipped /w G.E BSS)
920	Beyond Economical Repair (crashed into a Dump Truck in Sumulong Crossing in Quezon. 2001)
921	Active (Overhauled by MRail-MDJV, equipped /w G.E BSS)
922	Active (Padre Burgos, Quezon Derailment in 2004. Sariaya Derailment in 2012)

Incidents and accidents

• PNR Unit 905 (BN:39242) and PNR Unit 910 (BN:41852) collided between Tagkawayan and Hondagua Station on December 31, 1983. Both drivers were given Line Clear Certificate by the Station Masters in both stations (905 was heading Northbound while 910 was heading Southbound)
• PNR Unit 908 (1st; currently 916) (BN:41850) reportedly hit an NPA officer's son in 1989. The officer retaliated by targeting Unit 908 on several occasions, throwing stones, firing bullets, and even hurling a grenade which detonated and injured crew members. PNR officials have renumbered Unit 908 as Unit 916 to avoid further attacks on the locomotive.
• PNR Unit 912 (BN:41853) was bombed by the New People's Army during the tenure of the late President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s. The locomotive was written off.

  

  PNR DEL 916 (formerly 908) at Posadas Crossing near Sucat railway station.

• PNR Unit 920 (BN:4753.4) collided with a dump truck while travelling to Legazpi in 2001. The locomotive's chassis was twisted, causing damage beyond economical repair.
• PNR Unit 922 (BN:4753.6) Coaches hauled by 922 rolled over while traveling on a rainy weather. The bridge was washed out, causing the coaches to roll over. Train: 611 "Bicol Express", Date: October 26, 2012

See also

• PNR 2500 Class
• PNR 5000 Class