EMD SDP40

Last updated
EMD SDP40
KCS 3057.jpg
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
ModelSDP40
Build dateJune 1966 May 1970
Total produced20
Specifications
Configuration:
   AAR C-C
   UIC Co'Co'
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Trucks Flexicoil C2L
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve 274 ft (84 m)
Length65 ft 8 in (20.02 m)
over the coupler pulling faces
Width10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Height15 ft 5+14 in (4.705 m)
Loco weight370,000 lb (170,000 kg)
Fuel type diesel
Fuel capacity1,800 US gal (6,800 L; 1,500 imp gal)
Lubricant cap.243 US gal (920 L; 202 imp gal)
Coolant cap.295 US gal (1,120 L; 246 imp gal)
Water cap.2,200 US gal (8,300 L; 1,800 imp gal)
Sandbox cap.56 cu ft (1.6 m3)
Fuel consumption167 US gal (630 L; 139 imp gal) per hour
Water consumption45 US gal (170 L; 37 imp gal) per hour
Prime mover EMD 16-645E3
RPM range315-900
Engine type V16 Two-stroke diesel
AspirationMechanically-assisted turbocharger
Displacement10,320 cu in (169,100 cm3)
Alternator AR-10
Traction motors D-77
Cylinders 16
Transmission Diesel-electric transmission
Train heating Steam generator
Loco brake Independent air; optional: dynamic brakes
Train brakes Air, schedule 26-L
Performance figures
Maximum speed83–95 mph (134–153 km/h)
Power output3,000  hp (2,240 kW)
Career
Locale North America

An SDP40 is a 6-axle passenger diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between June 1966 and May 1970.

Contents

Design

Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, the SDP35, the SDP40 is a high-horsepower freight locomotive with equipment for passenger train service.

In 1966, EMD replaced all their production units with those powered by the new 645 diesel. They included six-axle models SD38, SD40 and SD45, in addition to SDP40. All had standard components including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The main difference was the power: the SD38 produced 2,000  hp (1,490 kW) from a non-turbocharged V16, the SD40 produced 3,000  hp (2,240 kW) from a turbocharged V16, and the SD45 produced 3,600  hp (2,680 kW) from a turbocharged V20.

The SD40 and SDP40 were so similar that EMD published common operator's and service manuals to cover both.

At the time most passenger locomotives needed to provide steam to the passenger cars for heating, cooking, and sometimes cooling. They needed a higher gear ratio for faster running, the graduated-release feature on the air brakes, and type F tightlock couplers to keep equipment together in the event of a derailment. To fit a steam generator to the freight-only SD40, the designers had to move the machinery forward about 2 feet (0.61 m) on the frame, add a compartment behind the radiators for the boiler, and divide the fuel tank into fuel and water sections.

Appearance

Earlier passenger diesels, like EMD E8, ALCO PA, FM Erie-built and Baldwin Sharknose locomotives, were streamlined cab units designed for visual appeal and the appearance of speed. The SDP40 and the SDP35 & SDP45 instead have the same appearance as their freight counterparts. This look was contemporary to, and eventually overtaken by cowl units like the GE U30CG and EMD FP45, SDP40F and F40PH.

Visually, the locomotive is a hood unit distinguished only by the shape of its rear end behind the radiators, with its flat end having no number boards, shuttered boiler air intake on each side, extra exhaust stacks over the boiler, cantilevered walkway around the flat end, and very steep rear steps. EMD applied this same end to the passenger SDP35, SDP45, and GP40P locomotives, as well as the freight DD35, DDA40X and SD40T-2.

Amtrak's SDP40F locomotive, although sharing several mechanical specifications, is visually a much different locomotive. Seven years separate their introductions, and the SDP40F was actually based on the SD40-2. It had a full-width carbody, similar to the FP45. It was also 6 feet (1.83 m) longer than the SDP40.

Original owners

Great Northern Railway (GN) purchased the first six SDP40s in 1966, to replace older E-units on their Western Star and smaller regional trains. Options included Vapor OK-4740 steam generators, water-transfer capability between units, 59:18 gearing for a top speed of 83 mph (134 km/h), and Type-F couplers. These were followed in 1967 by eight more powerful SDP45 locomotives ordered for the Empire Builder . After the startup of Amtrak in 1971, Great Northern's successor Burlington Northern Railroad (BN) converted the locomotives to freight service.

One SDP40, former GN 323, was temporarily renumbered BN 1976 and painted in red, white and blue for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.

NdeM had ten units delivered in 1968 and another four in 1970. In 1998, the government of Mexico privatized the NdeM the locomotives were split between two successor companies. Eight went to TFM, which was later purchased by Kansas City Southern Railway and became KCSM. Of those eight, two were rebuilt to SD22ECOs, and the other six were scrapped. The remaining six went to Ferromex. Of those six, four were rebuilt to SDP40-2s and remain in service, the other two were scrapped.

Roster

RailroadNumbersComments
Great Northern Railway 320-325325 donated to the Minnesota Transportation Museum
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México 8522-8535
Totals20

Preservation

BNSF Railway donated #6327 - former Great Northern #325 and their last SDP40 in service - to the Minnesota Transportation Museum in May 2009. Since then, it has been in service on the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway. In 2023, the museum repainted the locomotive into the Great Northern's simplified orange and green color paint scheme. [1] [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowl unit</span> Locomotive body style

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD F40PH</span> North American diesel locomotive class

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD40-2</span> American diesel-electric locomotive

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SDP45</span> North American diesel locomotive class

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD NW3</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD NW5</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD Dash 2</span> Series of EMD diesel locomotives built from 1972

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD50</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD 645</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD38AC</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD38</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD40</span> North American diesel-electric locomotive

The EMD SD40 is an American 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1966 and August 1972. 1,268 locomotives were built between 1966 and 1972. In 1972, an improved version with new electronics was developed and marketed as a new locomotive, the SD40-2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD45</span> Class of diesel-electric locomotives

The SD45 is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive class built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1965 and 1971. It has an EMD 645E3 twenty-cylinder engine generating 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) on the same frame as the SD38, SD39, SD40, and SDP40. As of 2023, most SD45s have been retired, scrapped or rebuilt to SD40-2 standards.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SD39</span> Model of diesel-electric locomotive

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD F45</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">EMD SDP40F</span> Class of diesel passenger locomotives

The EMD SDP40F was a six-axle 3,000 hp (2.2 MW) C-C diesel–electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) from 1973 to 1974. Based on Santa Fe's EMD FP45, EMD built 150 for Amtrak, the operator of most intercity passenger trains in the United States. Amtrak, a private company but funded by the United States government, had begun operation in 1971 with a fleet of aging diesel locomotives inherited from various private railroads. The SDP40F was the first diesel locomotive built new for Amtrak and for a brief time they formed the backbone of the company's long-distance fleet.

An EMD SD40A is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1969 and 1970. 18 examples of this locomotive were built exclusively for the Illinois Central Railroad. The SD40A was basically an SD40 built on an SDP45 frame. The longer SDP45 frame allowed for a larger, 5000 gallon fuel tank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Northern 400</span>

Great Northern 400, nicknamed Hustle Muscle, is a restored SD45 diesel locomotive originally owned by the Great Northern (GN). It was built in 1966 as the first production SD45 by Electro-Motive Division.

References

  1. "Minnesota museum to repaint Great Northern diesel". Trains. 24 February 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  2. "Repainting of Great Northern SDP40 completed". Trains. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-01.

Sources