EMD "SD45" Locomotives: Data Sheet, Specs, Roster

Last revised: December 20, 2024

Electro-Motive was determined to win the horsepower race of the 1960s and cataloged its most powerful standard model in late 1965, the SD45.

To achieve its goal, EMD increased the size of its new 645 power plant to 20 cylinders, which increased horsepower to 3,600. Visually, the SD45 was unmistakable from any other La Grange product up until that time with its long frame and flared rear radiator air intakes. The latter trait was not repeated on standard production models until the SD80MAC of 1995.

Initially, the SD45 was quite successful - and went on to sell more than 1,200 examples. However, railroads soon realized the additional 600 horsepower was not worth the increased maintenance investment.

In addition, it was the first in EMD's line to suffer mechanical issues. These problems were eventually addressed in the "Dash 2" variant although by then most railroads opted for the less powerful, but more reliable, SD40-2. Ultimately, only 136 examples of the SD45-2 were produced.

Nevertheless, the SD45 could outpull almost any other locomotive then in service and was popular on western roads like the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and Great Northern.

Recently-delivered Erie Lackawanna SD45's are seen here at Secaucus, New Jersey on May 26, 1968. Peter Klepper photo/Warren Calloway collection.

Background

In an era when manufacturers and railroads believed evermore horsepower achieved the greatest level of operational efficiency, powerful models like the SD45, U36C, and C636 were cataloged by the industry's three major builders.

There were even one-off monstrosities like the U50/U50C, DDA40X, DD35/A, and C-855. Ultimately, railroads realized the greater horsepower was not worth the increased maintenance investment.

In his book, "EMD Locomotives," author Brian Solomon notes that in late 1965 EMD advertised nine new models equipped with its latest engine offered in a range of horsepower ratings, sizes, and wheel arrangements.

The SD45 was the most powerful and entered EMD's catalog in December, 1965 with the unveiling of Demonstrator #4351. The big locomotive was equipped with a 20-cylinder variant of the builder's new model 645E3 prime mover.

To accommodate the larger power plant, engineers lengthened EMD's standard frame for its six-axle models by five feet. As Bob Hayden notes in his book, "Diesel Locomotives: Cyclopedia - Volume 2," instead of fabricating a special frame for the SD45, EMD simply made it standard for all six-axle models in the 645 line.

As a result, the less powerful SD38, SD39, and SD40 have short "porches" fore and aft. Interestingly, these "porches" are even more pronounced on the SD40-2, which featured an even longer frame to accommodate the new HT-C truck.

The SD45's signature feature was its flared rear radiator, which was required to provide the cooling necessary for the greater engine ouput. Mr. Solomon notes the average cost for a new SD45, depending on options, was $290,000.

A trio of Erie Lackawanna's big SD45's work pool service to Chicago as they accelerate westbound symbol freight TC-99 out of the Delaware & Hudson's yard at Mechanicville, New York, circa 1969. Jim Shaughnessy photo.

Success and Concern

Sales for the SD45 took off quickly thanks to EMD's stellar reputation. However, as the model spent time in service customers soon recognized issues with these powerful locomotives.

Most notable was the 20-cylinder prime mover, which began experiencing teething issues and had a tendency to break crankshafts. This significant problem naturally resulted in engine failures while in service and sidelined the locomotives for an extended period. In addition, railroads did not like the larger flared rear radiator.

Rio Grande SD45 #5323 leads a freight through heavy snow just west of Loma, Colorado during the late 1960s. American-Rails.com collection.

SD45-2

As part of EMD's latest "Dash 2" line released in January, 1972, the SD45-2 solved its predecessors problems. In his book, "Locomotives: The Modern Diesel & Electric Reference," author Greg McDonnell notes that EMD boasted 40 refinements with its new line.

Its most notable was the upgraded electrical system which included transistors, printed circuit boards, and solid-state modular components which replaced a labyrinth of old relays, switches, and interlocks commonly been found on all previous models.

The new computer system controlled everything from voltage regulation, battery charging and excitation and throttle response to wheel-slip control, dynamic brakes, and the locomotive's sanders.

In this Great Northern publicity photo, new SDP45 #333 leads the "Empire Builder" in its redesigned "Big Sky Blue" livery near Montana's Glacier National Park during the fall of 1967. Author's collection.

Interestingly, the SD45-2 was the one "Dash 2" variant that actually differed visually from its pedecessor. EMD eliminated the flared rear radiator air intakes, replacing it with the builder's common flush-mounted design - only larger to provide proper air-intake for the 20-cylinder engine.

Unfortunately, the "Dash 2" line did not see the same jump in sales as the SD40 series. Its biggest issue appears to have been the increased maintenance and fuel appetite. Railroads were quite happy with the slightly less powerful - and less maintenance intensive - SD40-2. Ultimately, just 136 SD45-2s were sold.

A Northern Pacific publicity photo featuring four new SD45's just delivered from Electro-Motive at the Mississippi Street Shops in St. Paul, Minnesota in July, 1966. Author's collection.

SDP45

Cataloged in 1967, this variant was a dual-service design, which carried a steam generator for passenger assignments. To do so required a frame five feet longer. Only 54 were sold to Southern Pacific, Great Northern, and Erie Lackawanna.

EL wound up with the most, 34 examples built between 1969-1970. Ironically, the railroad did not order theirs for passenger service. Instead, the longer frame allowed for a larger, 5,000-gallon fuel tank (enabling complete runs from New Jersey to Chicago without refueling) while the rear space intended for a steam generator contained concrete to increase tractive effort.

Erie Lackawanna SD45 #3633 is stopped with a westbound freight at the small depot in Deposit, New York during a crew change in March, 1970. Photographer unknown. Author's collection.

SD45T-2

The SD45T-2 was the original "Tunnel Motor" variant, requested by Southern Pacific for operation in the high Sierra-Nevada mountain range of Donner Pass to eliminate clean air-intake problems while operating through tunnels and snowsheds.

To correct the overheating issue, EMD redesigned the rear section by placing the air-intakes low along the walkways where they could acquire the coolest, cleanest air. In addition, the radiators were moved to very top of the hood.

Overall, the new design gave the locomotive a very box appearance at the rear. No other railroads ordered the "Tunnel Motor" package; Southern Pacific wound up with 247 units, 166 of which were sublettered for subsidiary St. Louis Southwestern Railway. In 1974, Southern Pacific returned to EMD for the less powerful SD40T-2, a model also purchased by the Rio Grande.

Southern Pacific/Cotton Belt SD45T-2 #9389 proudly wears its new Bicentennial livery in Sacramento, California during August of 1975. Behind it is Central Pacific 4-2-4 #1, the "CP Huntington". Drew Jacksich photo.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Entered Production	12/1965 (Demonstrator #4351)
Years Produced (SD45)	12/1965 - 12/1971
Years Produced (SDP45)	5/1967 - 8/1970
Years Produced (SD45X)	6/1970 - 2/1971
Years Produced (SD45-2)	5/1972 - 9/1974
Engine	645E3
Engine (SD45X)	645F3B
Engine Builder	GM
Horsepower	3600
Horsepower (SD45X)	4200
RPM	904
Cylinders	20
Cylinders (SD45X)	16
Length	65' 9 ½"
Length (SD45X)	70' 8"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Engine Hood)	15' 2 13/32"
Width	10'
Weight	368,000 Lbs
Fuel Capacity	3200 Gallons
Fuel Capacity (SD45X)	4400 Gallons
Air Compressor	Gardner-Denver
Air Compressor Model	WBO
Air Brake Manufacturer	Westinghouse
Air Brake Schedule	26L
Trucks	C-C
Truck Type	Flexicoil
Truck Type (SD45X)	HT-C
Truck Wheelbase	13' 7"
Wheel Size	40"
Traction Motors	D77 (6), GM
Primary Generator	AR10, GM
Steam Generator (SDP45)	Vapor-Clarkson (Model AR4125)
Auxiliary Generator	Delco (A8102)
Alternator	D14
MU (Multiple-Unit)	Yes
Dynamic Brakes	Yes
Gear Ratio	62:15 (71 mph), 61:16 (77 mph), 60:17 (83 mph)
Gear Ratio (SDP45)	59:15
Tractive Effort (Starting)	92,000 Lbs at 25%
Tractive Effort (Starting)	89,500 Lbs at 25% (SDP45)
Tractive Effort (Continuous)	82,100 Lbs at 11 mph
Tractive Effort (Continuous)	82,100 Lbs at 6.6 mph (SDP45)
Top Speed	65 mph
Top Speed (SDP45)	95 mph

A pair of Frisco SD45s, along with GP35 #701, at Springfield, Missouri, circa 1970. Mac Owen photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Production Rosters

SD45

Total Built = 1,260

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Order Number	Completion Date
Great Northern	400-407	31598-31605	7871	5/1966-6/1966
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator)	4351 (became Illinois Central #7000)	31693	5696	12/1965
Electro-Motive (Demonstrators)	4352-4353 (became Delaware & Hudson #802-803)	31694-31695	5696	1/1966
Atlantic Coast Line	1024-1033	31840-31849	5703	12/1966
Northern Pacific	3600-3603	31951-31954	7890	7/1966
Norfolk & Western	1700-1704	31955-31959	5705	7/1966
Norfolk & Western	1705-1730	31960-31985	7904	7/1966-9/1966
Norfolk & Western	1731-1734	31986-31989	7905	9/1966
Southern Pacific	8800-8844	31991-32035	7887	8/1966-9/1966
Santa Fe	1800-1829	32056-32085	5708	6/1966-8/1966
Pennsylvania	6105-6139	32315-32349	7928	10/1966-12/1966
Pennsylvania	6140-6169	32365-32394	7928	1/1967-2/1967
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator)	4354 (became Delaware & Hudson #801)	32462	5720	6/1966
Santa Fe	1830-1889	32506-32565	5722	10/1966-12/1966
Chicago & North Western	901-920	32624-32643	7945	2/1967-3/1967
Denver & Rio Grande Western	5315-5324	32689-32698	7951	1/1967-2/1967
Norfolk & Western	1735-1738	32699-32702	7953	5/1967
Norfolk & Western	1739-1764	32703-32728	7988	7/1967-9/1967
Southern Pacific	8845-8893	32759-32807	7954	2/1967-4/1967
Southern Pacific	8894-8934	32808-32848	7971	4/1967-7/1967
Great Northern	408-417	32988-32997	7963	4/1967
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	900-905	33011-33016	7967	2/1967
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	906	33017	7968	2/1967
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	907-911	33018-33022	7970	2/1967-3/1967
Northern Pacific	3604-3619	33025-33040	7978	4/1967-5/1967
Erie Lackawanna	3601-3620	33101-33120	7991	6/1967
Reading	7600-7604	33175-33179	7992	7/1967
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	912-913	33182-33183	5729	5/1967
Union Pacific	3600-3621	33409-33430	7975	3/1968-4/1968
Union Pacific	3622	33431	7107	4/1968
Union Pacific	3623	33432	7108	4/1968
Union Pacific	3624-3639	33433-33448	7077	3/1968-4/1968
Milwaukee Road	4000-4005	33525-33530	7052	1/1968-2/1968
Southern	3122-3159	33544-33581	7068	11/1967-12/1967
Southern	3105-3121	33582-33598	7074	12/1967
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	914-925	33599-33610	7080	2/1968
St Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	8964-8971	33624-33631	7081	2/1968-4/1968
Southern Pacific	8935-8963	33632-33660	7082	2/1968-5/1968
St Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	8972-8981	33661-33670	4/1968-6/1968	7081
Denver & Rio Grande Western	5325-5336	33757-33768	7085	3/1968-5/1968
Great Northern	418-426	33785-33793	7088	7/1968-8/1968
Pennsylvania	6170-6199, 6210-6234	33804-33858	7993	12/1967-1/1968
Pennsylvania	6200-6208 (Evens)	33859-33863	7090	1/1968
Pennsylvania	6201-6209 (Odds)	33864-33868	7091	1/1968-3/1968
Northern Pacific	3620-3629	33900-33909	7094	4/1968-5/1968
Denver & Rio Grande Western	5337-5340	33931-33934	7106	3/1968
Erie Lackawanna	3621-3634	33936-33949	7104	5/1968
Union Pacific	3640-3649	34016-34025	7077	3/1968
Milwaukee Road	4006-4009	34149-34152	7133	12/1968
Seaboard Coast Line	2010-2023	34163-34176	7123	10/1968
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	926-928	34245-34247	7129	10/1968
Penn Central	6235-6239	34277-34281	7125	8/1968
Southern Pacific	8982-9001	34350-34369	7138	12/1968-2/1969
Southern Pacific	9002-9007	34370-34375	7163	2/1969
Southern Pacific	9008-9030	34376-34398	7138	2/1969-4/1969
Southern Pacific	9031-9036	34399-34404	7164	4/1969-5/1969
Southern Pacific	9037-9051	34405-34419	7138	3/1969
St Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	9052-9059	34420-34427	7140	1/1969-3/1969
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy	516-530	34551-34565	7147	1/1969
Chicago & North Western	937-977	34570-34610	7148	1/1969-2/1969
St Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	9060-9068	34726-34734	7150	12/1968
Southern Pacific	9069-9103	34904-34938	7170	3/1969-4/1969
Santa Fe	5590-5597	34995-35012	7175	5/1969
Santa Fe	5598-5614	35013-35019	7177	5/1969
Southern Pacific	9104-9123	35196-35215	7187	10/1969-12/1969
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Cotton Belt)	929-942	35477-35490	7194	9/1969-10/1969
Norfolk & Western	1765-1789	35521-35545	7199	2/1970-3/1970
Norfolk & Western	1790-1814	35546-35570	5745	12/1969
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	926-928	34245-34247	7129	10/1968
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	929-942	35477-35490	7194	9/1969-10/1969
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco)	943-948	35583-35588	7204	12/1969
St Louis-Southwestern Railway (Cotton Belt)	9152-9155	35753-35756	7215	1/1970
Southern Pacific	9124-9151	35761-35788	7217	12/1969-3/1970
Southern	3160-3169, 3100-3104	36109-36123	5755	3/1970
Burlington Northern	6472-6491	36361-36380	7261	6/1970-7/1970
Santa Fe	5622-5624	36491-36493	5763	6/1970
Santa Fe	5615-5621	36494-36500	7267	6/1970
Burlington Northern	6492-6497	36794-36799	7279	8/1970-9/1970
Burlington Northern	6498-6542	37106-37150	5773	5/1971-8/1971
Seaboard Coast Line	2024-2044	37715-37735	5784	9/1971-10/1971
Colorado & Southern	868-874	38366-38372	5788	10/1971
Burlington Northern	6543-6567	5794-1/25	5794	11/1971-12/1971

Reused Serials

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Order Number	Completion Date
Southern	3120	33597	8084	4/1970

SD45-2

Total Built = 136

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Completion Date
Erie Lackawanna	3669-3681	7381-1 thru 7381-13	10/1972
Clinchfield	3607-3616	7382-1 thru 7382-10	11/1972
Santa Fe	5625-5661	7391-1 thru 7391-37	5/1972
Santa Fe	5662-5704	72642-1 thru 72642-43	5/1973-6/1973
Clinchfield	3617-3624	73773-1 thru 73773-8	2/1974
Seaboard Coast Line	2045-2059	74601-1 thru 74601-15	8/1974-9/1974
Santa Fe	5705-5714	74603-1 thru 74603-10	5/1974

It's the early Conrail era as Erie Lackawanna SDP45 #3636 leads a westbound freight near Alden, New York on December 14, 1976. American-Rails.com collection.

SDP45

Total Built = 52

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Order Number	Completion Date
Southern Pacific	3200-3209	32849-32858	5/1967-7/1967	7955
Great Northern	326-333	33041-33048	7979	7/1967-8/1967
Erie Lackawanna	3635-3653	34976-34994	7174	5/1969-6/1969
Erie Lackawanna	3654-3661	36658-36665	7246	7/1970-8/1970
Erie Lackawanna	3662-3668	36880-36886	7246	8/1970

SD45X

Total Built = 7

Owner	Road Number(s)	Serial Number(s)	Order Number	Completion Date
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator)	5740	34123	5740	6/1970
Southern Pacific	9500-9502	35741-35743	7288	8/1970-9/1970
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator)	4201 (became Southern Pacific #9503)	36806	5751	6/1970
Electro-Motive (Demonstrators)	4202-4203 (became Southern Pacific #9504-9505)	36807-36808	5751	2/1971

One of the Santa Fe's interesting SD45B's, #5501, was photographed here in Riverdale, Illinois on August 28, 1990. John Eagan, Jr. photo. Author's collection.

SD45X

Only seven of this variant were produced in 1970-1971. It was an experimental design which tested EMD's new "Dash 2" upgrades and could produce 4,200 horsepower. The model was also equipped with EMD's latest HT-C truck, which was a standard option on the SD40-2.

Photo Gallery

A Great Northern publicity photo featuring new Great Northern SD45 #407 and dome "Prairie View" wearing the railroad's updated 'Big Sky Blue' livery in the spring of 1966.

Great Northern "Hustle Muscle" SD45 #400 lays over at the Dale Street Shops in St. Paul, Minnesota in September, 1967. Today, the locomotive is maintained in operating condition by the Great Northern Railway Historical Scoiety and is housed at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota. It occasionally operates on excursion trains for the affiliated North Shore Scenic Railroad. Myron Gilbertson photo.

EMD SD45 demonstrator #4352 is seen here at C&NW's Proviso Yard at Melrose Park, Illinois on June 23, 1966. This unit became Delaware & Hudson #802. Marty Bernard photo.

Erie Lackawanna acquired a large fleet of SD45s and typically used them on runs to and from Chicago. Here, a pair - led by #3627 - have a general merchandise westbound across the Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal at State Line Tower (Chicago) in January, 1972. Roger Puta photo.

Milwaukee Road SD45 #4000 was photographed here at the company's terminal in Bensenville, Illinois in February, 1969. American-Rails.com collection.

Erie Lackawanna SDP45 #3664 and a U36C lead trailers westbound through Hornell, New York on October 16, 1975. Photographer unknown. American-Rails.com collection.

A handsome Santa Fe SD45-2, #5700, shows off its Bicentennial livery in Kansas City on February 26, 1975. J. Primm photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Sources

Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.

Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

Schafer, Mike. Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 1998.

Solomon, Brian. American Diesel Locomotive, The. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 2000.

Solomon, Brian. EMD Locomotives. Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.

Solomon, Brian. GE and EMD Locomotives: The Illustrated History. Minneapolis: Voyageur Press, 2014.

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