EMD SD40

The EMD SD40 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1966 and August 1972.



Design
Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, the SD35]], the SD40 is a high-horsepower, six-motor freight locomotive.

In 1966, EMD updated their locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel. These included six-axle models SD38, SDP40 and SD45, in addition to the SD40. All shared standardized components, including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The primary difference was the power output: SD38 = SD38 = 2,000 hp (1,490 kW) from a non-turbocharged V16, SD40 = 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) from a turbocharged V16, and SD45 = 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) from a turbocharged V20]].

Original Owners
856 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads, 330 were built for Canadian railroads, 72 were built for Mexican railroads, 6 were built for the Guinea-Boke Project, and 4 SD40Ms riding on 5'3" gauge trucks were exported to Brazil.

Built by EMD at La Grange, Illinois

Built by GMD at London, Ontario

Phases are as listed by Robert Sarberenyi.

Derivatives and Experimental
The SD40 was succeeded by an upgraded Dash 2 version called the SD40-2. The very first test bed SD40, EMD 434, constructed on an SD35 frame in July 1964 was in active service until retired by Canadian National Railway in March 2009 and donated to the Monticello Railway Museum in July 2009, albeit having been upgraded to an "SD40-2R", as Illinois Central 6071. 18 customized SD40s were built for the Illinois Central Railroad as model SD40A, using the longer SDP45 frame, which allowed for a larger 5000 gallon fuel tank.

The SD40E is an EMD SD50 rebuilt by the Norfolk Southern Railway and derated to 3000 HP.