KCS sent their GG20Bs back to Railpower to convert them to RP14BDs. This was one of them. Photo Credit: Joe Rogers

The RP14BD is a more economical alternative to the successful RP20BD. However, more economical in this case meant less powerful and more prone to grenading themselves.

The 14 in the classification is a complete lie. The things actually had 1334 Horsepower. More closer to RP13BD than RP14BD. At least with the RP7BD it was close to 7 than 6. Even worse is that Railpower marketed them as 2000 HP on their build plate.

Railpower seriously what the fuck.

Despite this, railroads converted/purchased them. 3 of them did. KCS, NS, and BNSF.

Yeah it didn’t take long for them to shid in cup as a tow truck once said.

Today, BNSF made sure those things never saw the light of day ever again, NS 2120 is stored in Roanoke while 2121 was sold to LTEX in 2020, and KCS’s converted units were auctioned off to Motive Rail Industries of Scott City, Missouri in 2019. As of 2025, the Sierra Northern has got a hold of the former KCS units.

Technical Specifications

General Info	-
Prime Mover	Deutz TCD2015V08 x2 (1)
Horsepower	1334 (2)
Truck Type	AAR Type A (3)
Axles	4
Traction Motors	4
Minimum Weight	248,000 lbs (3)
Maximum Weight	275,000 lbs (3)
Model Base Speed	45 MPH (3)
Top Speed	45 MPH (3)

Electrical System	-
Generator Max Current	735 Amps (2)(4)
Max TM Current	1500 Amps (3)(4)
Max Continuous TM Current	1050 Amps (3)(4)
Traction Motor Type	DC
Adhesion	25%
Transition Mode	Automatic with no Selector
Transition Groups	2, 2, 1, 1 (3)
Transition Shunts	1, 0.53, 1, 0.53 (3)
Generator Transition	Yes
Traction Control	ETC
Dynamic Braking Mode	I don’t think any of them had them
DB Max Current	N/A
DB Max Continuous Current	N/A
Blended Braking	No

Miscellaneous	-
Head-End Power (HEP)	not unless you want to half your horsepower
HEP Power Consumption	N/A
HEP Standby/Run Mode	N/A
Load Ramp Speed	5 Amps/Tick ⚠️
TM Overload Protection	No
Start Mode	Fully Automatic Start
Air Brake Schedule	26-L
Compressor CFM	159 (Atlas GAR37 @ 2750 RPM) (4)
Main Air Reservoir	33.8 Cubic Feet (3) ⚠️

Notes:

(1): While most Railpower products use Deutz engines, Cummins engines such as QSK19s were available.

(2): If the above applies to what you’re doing, the horsepower would be increased to 1400 Horsepower, as the QSK19s are rated for 700 HP each. The QSK19 also has a max generator current of 855 Amps, using the Marathon 572RDL.

(3): Depends on the core unit (Core specs based on the SW1500).

(4): Multiply these variables by 2, for the separate engines. One generator per engine, one air compressor per engine. These things are fucking weird and I love that.