A then-freshly converted Union Pacific RP20BD, formerly a B23-7, at CAD’s facility in Lachine, Quebec. This unit would be sent to Houston for service in UP’s Englewood Yard. Photo Credit: Marc Caya.

The RP20BD was one of, if not, the biggest of Railpower’s biggest diesel hits in the railroad market. Between 2008 and Railpower’s ceasing in 2020, 129 units were produced, mainly for use in California and Texas.

They were built simply because America wanted cleaner air and apparently giving it to transportation instead of inefficient factories and power plants that are STILL burning coal would solve everything. You’ll notice that being a recurring theme here.

So instead of simply giving Geeps and B-Boats more fuel efficient prime movers or just replacing them, Railpower sliced the body off and put a new one on it, along with 3 Truck Engines (NRE and Brookville did this too). They also converted GG20Bs to run on the same prime movers. You can probably tell that this did not do good on the gensets with heavier loads. And you know how railroads are!!! They sure love redundancy!!!!!!

As of 2024, none of the RP20BDs on Class Is are still serving them. Nowadays, shortlines, most notably the Sierra Northern in California, operate some of the former Gensets that the big railroads once operated.

Technical Specifications

General Info	-
Prime Mover	Deutz TCD2015V08 x3 (1)
Horsepower	2001 (2)
Truck Type	Blomberg B (3)
Axles	4
Traction Motors	4
Minimum Weight	238,000 lbs (3)
Maximum Weight	275,000 lbs (3)
Model Base Speed	65 MPH (3)
Top Speed	65, 70, or 86 MPH (3)

Electrical System	-
Generator Max Current	735 Amps (2)(4)
Max TM Current	1500 Amps (3)
Max Continuous TM Current	900 Amps (3)
Traction Motor Type	DC
Adhesion	25% (3)
Transition Mode	Automatic with no Selector
Transition Groups	2, 2, 1, 1 (3)
Transition Shunts	1, 0.75, 1, 0.75 (3)
Generator Transition	Yes
Traction Control	ETC
Dynamic Braking Mode	Electronic Blowers
DB Max Current	700 Amps
DB Max Continuous Current	700 Amps
Blended Braking	No

Miscellaneous	-
Head-End Power (HEP)	i will hurt you if you even try
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	35 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 2100 Horsepower, as the QSK19s are rated for 700 HP each. The Max Generator Current would be 900 Amps, as the QSK19 uses the Stamford HCI544F.

(3): These stats vary depending on the core unit (core unit here is based on the GP9).

(4): Multiply these variables by 3 to represent the 3 different generator sets.