EMD SDP40

China Product


Design

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

In 1966, EMD updated their locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel. These included six-axle models SD38, SD40 and SD45, in addition to the SDP40. All shared standardized components, including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The primary difference was the power output: SD38 = 2,000 hp (1,490 kW) from a non-turbocharged V16, SD40 = {convert|3000|hp|abbr=on|lk=in|sigfig=3}} from a turbocharged V16, and SD45 = 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) from a turbocharged V20. frp cooling towers

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

Besides horsepower, the primary characteristic of a passenger locomotive at the time was the ability to provide steam to the passenger cars, for heating, cooking, and sometimes cooling. Secondary characteristics could include a higher gear ratio for faster running, addition of the graduated-release feature to the air brakes, type F tight-lock couplers to keep equipment together in the event of a derailment, or extra signals and communication equipment. Of these, the steam generator was the largest, and had the greatest impact on the locomotive's appearance. To fit a steam generator to the freight-only SD40, the designers had to move all the machinery forward about two feet on the frame, add a compartment behind the radiators for the boiler, and divide the fuel tank into fuel and water sections. copeland air compressor

Aesthetics

Earlier passenger diesels, like the EMD E8, ALCO PA, FM Erie-built and Baldwin Sharknose, were streamlined cab units designed for good looks and the appearance of speed. The SDP40 instead has the rugged appeal of a high-horsepower road-switcher. This look was contemporary to, and eventually overtaken by cowl units like the GE U30CG and EMD FP45, SDP40F and F40PH.

Visually, the SDP40 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 six feet longer than the SDP40.

Original Owners

Passenger locomotive purchases in Canada, the United States and Mexico during the 1960's were limited to 111 units. In most cases, the purchaser intended to save costs by replacing older, less powerful locomotives.

The Great Northern Railway purchased the first six SDP40s in 1966, to replace older F-units on the Western Star and smaller regional trains. 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 Railway successor Burlington Northern Railroad converted all fourteen SDP passenger locomotives to freight service.

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

NdeM's 14 were ordered in two groups: Ten in 1968 and four in 1970. In 1998, the government of Mexico privatized the NdeM, and the locomotives were split between two successor companies. Eight went to TFM, which was later purchased KCS and became KCSM. These eight have roamed freely in the United States. The other six went to Ferromex.

Roster

Order

Built

Serial

Phase

1st No.

2nd No.

3rd No.

4th No.

5th No.

6th No.

7th No.

Disposition

7870-

5/66

31592

Ia2

GN 320

BN 9850

BN 6394

Scrapped MK Rail July 1996

7870-2

5/66

31593

Ia2

GN 321

BN 9851

BN 6395

MRL 290

Rebuilt, Active

7870-

5/66

31594

Ia2

GN 322

BN 9852

BN 6396

Wrecked June 1984, scrapped

7870-4

5/66

31595

Ia2

GN 323

BN 9853

BN 6397

BN 1976

BN 6397

BNSF 6325

GCFX 3093

Rebuilt, Active

7870-

5/66

31596

Ia2

GN 324

BN 9854

BN 6398

BNSF 6326

GN 6326

Stored Dead - Reporting mark changed from BNSF to GN to make way for new deliveries

7870-

5/66

31597

Ia2

GN 325

BN 9855

BN 6399

BNSF 6327

MNTX 6327

Retired June 2008, donated to the Minnesota Transportation Museum May 2009.

710917

5/68

33371

IIb_

NdeM 8522

FNM 8522

TFM 1314

KCSM 1314

Scrapped December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY

710918

5/68

33372

IIb_

NdeM 8523

FNM 8523

TFM 1315

KCSM 1315

710919

5/68

33373

IIb_

NdeM 8524

FXE ????

710920

5/68

33374

IIb_

NdeM 8525

FXE ????

710921

5/68

33375

IIb_

NdeM 8526

FXE ????

710922

5/68

33376

IIb_

NdeM 8527

FXE ????

Was once derelict - rebuilt into FNM 13099, FXE 3212, or FXE 3227?

710923

5/68

33377

IIb_

NdeM 8528

FNM 8528

TFM 1316

KCSM 1316

Scrapped December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY

710924

5/68

33378

IIb_

NdeM 8529

FNM 8529

TFM 1317

KCSM 1317

Scrapped December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY

710925

5/68

33379

IIb_

NdeM 8530

FNM 8530

TFM 1318

KCSM 1318

KCS 3057

710926

5/68

33380

IIb_

NdeM 8531

FNM 8531

TFM 1319

KCSM 1319

Rebuilt to SD22ECO August 2009

711392

5/70

36156

IIb2

NdeM 8532

FXE ????

711393

5/70

36157

IIb2

NdeM 8533

FNM 8533

TFM 1320

KCSM 1320

Rebuilt to SD22ECO August 2009

711394

5/70

36158

IIb2

NdeM 8534

FXE ????

711395

5/70

36159

IIb2

NdeM 8535

FNM 8535

TFM 1321

KCSM 1321

Phases refer to SD40s in general.

Rebuilds

FNM 13099 was rebuilt by the San Luis Potosi shops, but the original locomotive number is unknown. The steam generator air intake was plated over during the rebuild.

FXE 3212 was rebuilt from an SDP40, but the original locomotive number is unknown. This rebuild resulted in removal of most of the steam generator compartment and installation of rear switching steps.

FXE 3227 appears to have been rebuilt from an SDP40, but the original locomotive number is unknown. The steam generator air intake was plated over during the rebuild, but it retained the full compartment and vertical rear steps.

MRL 290 was wrecked in 1988, and subsequently sold to MRL. It is listed in rosters and lettered as an SDP40-2XR. Its steam generator air intake was plated over during the rebuild, but it retained the full compartment and vertical rear steps.

GCFX 3093 sources suggest was remanufactured by Alstom to SD40-2 specifications. Much of the steam generator compartment was removed to permit installation of compliant rear switching steps.

KCS 1319 was rebuilt by EMD in London, ON during August 2009 into an SD22ECO, keeping its external appearance.

KCS 1320 was rebuilt by EMD in London, ON during August 2009 into an SD22ECO, keeping its external appearance.

A consideration when rebuilding an SDP40 is that the rear corner steps do not comply with current Federal Regulations. The bottom step must be further out than the upper steps to provide a place to stand. Since the steam generator compartment extends to the end of the frame, it must be removed to install compliant switching steps. FXE 3212 and GCFX 3093 are examples. See:

49 CFR 231.29 Road locomotives with corner stairways

49 CFR 231.30 Locomotives used in switching service

The KCS pair rebuilt into SD22ECOs took a different approach: The bottom steps of the rear ladders were moved out to meet the requirement.

Preservation

BNSF donated 6327 - former Great Northern 325 and their last SDP40 in service - to the Minnesota Transportation Museum in May 2009.

References

Moran, Miles (1975). "And Passenger Service Too". Railroad Modeler 5 (8): 4047. 

Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 

Shine, Joseph W. (1992). Great Northern Color Pictorial - Volume 2: Division Assignment, Second Generation Diesels, The Big Sky Blue Era. La Mirada, CA: Four Ways West Publications. ISBN 0961687479

Strauss, John F. Jr. (1998). Great Northern Color Pictorial - Volume 5: Rocky's Robe of Many Colors. La Mirada, CA: Four Ways West Publications. ISBN 1885614225

Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD SD40, SD40A, and SDP40 Original Owners. Retrieved on August 27, 2006

The UNofficial EMD Homepage. Retrieved on May 1, 2009

EMD's SD40, SD40A, and SDP40 - Original Owners. Retrieved on May 5, 2009

Great Northern Empire - GN EMP SDP40 Roster. Retrieved on May 5, 2009

KCS NAFTA Rosters. Retrieved on May 5, 2009

Service Department (1966). SD40 - SDP40 Operator's Manual. La Grange, IL: Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation

Progress Rail KCS loco scrapping observed. Retrieved on June 13, 2009

SD22ECO rebuilds 1319 and 1320 observed. Retrieved on August 27, 2009

See also

List of GM-EMD locomotives

List of GMD Locomotives

v  d  e

6- and 8-axle diesel-electric locomotives built by GM-EMD

Six-axle road power

SD7  SD9  SD18  SD24  SD28  SD35  SDP35  SD38  SD38AC  SD38-2  SD39  SDL39  SD40  SD40X  SD40A  SD40-2  SD40-2W  SD40T-2  SD40-2S  SDP40  SDP40F  SD45  SD45X  SD45-2  SD45T-2  SDP45  SD50  SD60  SD60F  SD60I  SD60M  SD70  SD70I  SD70M  SD70MAC  SD70M-2  SD70ACe  SD75M  SD75I  SD80MAC  SD89MAC  SD90MAC

Eight-axle road power

DD35  DD35A  DDA40X  DDM45

See also: List of GM-EMD locomotives

Categories: EMD locomotives | C-C locomotives | Passenger locomotives | Diesel locomotives of the United States | Railway locomotives introduced in 1966Hidden categories: Unusual parameters of Infobox locomotive template