Introduced in 1985, the EMD GP60 was designed for fast freight service. Packing 3,800 horsepower under the hood, the locos were the first production four-axle "Geeps" to incorporate the 710-Series engine. Externally, the units closely resembled their predecessor, the GP50, except for their boxy dynamic brake sections which were squared off the reduce sheet metal fabrication costs. Sold only to U.S. railroads, the units were used by their owners to head up premium intermodal trains on which their high horsepower at speed allowed them to maintain tight schedules. 270 units were delivered with standard cabs, but Santa Fe opted for North American Cabs with wide noses, plus a small fleet of B units, in addition to its standard-cab units. In 2007 the units are still used to haul trains on expedited schedules.
 
These PROTO N units feature a smooth-running split-frame mechanism, five-pole motor with dual flywheels, all-wheel drive and electrical pickup and Accumate(R) magnetic knuckle couplers.