EMD "GP38" Series

Last revised: October 27, 2023

By: Adam Burns

The EMD GP38 is a four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January, 1966 and December, 1971.

It was designed for general freight service, with over 700 units produced. The locomotive has a power output of 2,000 horsepower and is known for its reliability and versatility, making it a popular choice among North American railroads.

By the time the GP38/AC and later "Dash 2" models were released EMD was a veteran builder that knew what railroads were looking for; these variants also sold extremely well, partiuclarly the GP38-2 which saw some  2,213 completed between 1972 and 1985.

There are only very minor differences with the GP38 and GP38AC while the GP38-2 carries an updated prime mover and newer electronics.

The locomotive looked almost identical to the GP35 thanks to that model's standard carbody and cab design that EMD stuck with through the 1980s. Because of the GP38's success, hundreds remain in widespread use all across the country, particularly on regionals and shortlines.

To date, there is only one GP38 known to be officially preserved, Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia #80 at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.

Photos

Missouri Pacific GP38-2 #2022 and SD40-2 #3277 at Taylor, Texas, circa 1982. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Overview

The original GP38 was no different from earlier second-generation models in terms of horsepower and was even de-rated a bit at only 2,000 hp (as compared to the GP30’s 2,250 and GP35’s 2,500 hp).

The original model was somewhat successful but not nearly so as the the later GP38-2. In any event, the GP38 carried the new 16-cylinder model 645 prime mover which replaced the 567 of the GP35 and had been EMD's standard diesel engine dating all of the way back to the original FT cab unit of 1939.

The locomotive featured General Motors' standard model D77 traction that could produce the same tractive effort of the earlier GP30 and GP35; 61,000 pounds starting tractive effort and 50,000 pounds continuous.

At an undisclosed location not listed on the slide, a recently delivered Penn Central GP38 lays over between assignments in early October of 1969. American-Rails.com collection.

The GP38, which debuted in 1966 and was built through 1971, and the later GP38-2 which was built between 1972 and 1984, followed the earlier GP30 and GP35.

The GP38 models were both tremendously successful with nearly 3,000 units sold (the GP38 sold around 730 and the GP38-2 sold over 2,100).

The GP38-2 model sold better, as did most "Dash 2" models, because of its further upgrades from the original which included things like a new type of traction motor blower duct, a modular electronic cabinet system and bolted battery box access doors.

A trio of new Lehigh Valley GP38-2's lead an eastbound general manifest past Steel Tower in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania during December of 1972. American-Rails.com collection.

Railroads to purchase the original GP38 included:

  • Detroit Toledo & Ironton (200-206)

  • Bangor & Aroostook (81-88)

  • Original Norfolk Southern (2001-2007)

  • Erie Mining (700-701)

  • Phelps Dodge Corporation (47-54)

  • Texas-Mexican Railway (857-860)

  • Missouri Pacific (572-577)

  • Maine Central (251-263)

  • Clinchfield Railroad (2000-2009)

  • Baltimore & Ohio (3800-3849, 4800-4819)

  • Chesapeake & Ohio (3850-3899, 4820-4829), 

  • Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (2000-2014), 

  • Tennessee Alabama & Georgia #80

  • Aberdeen & Rockfish #400

  • Monongahela Railway (2000-2004)

  • Gulf Mobile & Ohio (701-720)

  • Southern (2716-2822)

  • Penn Central (7675-7939)

  • Missouri-Kansas-Texas (300-303)

  • Burlington Northern (2072-2077)

  • Louisville & Nashville (4000-4019)

  • Santa Fe (3500-3560)

Also, the General Motors Diesel GP38 was built only for Canadian Pacific who purchased twenty-one (3000-3020).

Norfolk & Western GP38AC #4107, wearing the experimental "Skunk" paint scheme bearing a large white strip around the carbody; December, 1982. Location not recorded. American-Rails.com collection.

As for the GP38AC variant, it was essentially identical to the GP38 save for its model AR10 alternator in replace of the GM-built D32 generator allowing for increased tractive effort.

The locomotive was built between February, 1970 and December, 1971 with 261 examples built for; Norfolk & Western (4100-4149), Illinois Central (9500-9519), Louisville & Nashville (4020-4049), Gulf Mobile & Ohio (721-733), DT&I (210-220), St Louis-San Francisco (633-662), Southern (2823-2878), Pacific Power & Light Company #11, Grand Trunk Western (5800-5811), Lehigh Valley (310-313).

A former Rock Island GP38-2, formerly named the "Fred McKim," is ahead of this Missouri Pacific freight at Austin, Texas in May, 1980. Following the Rock's shutdown, Missouri Pacific picked up the railroad's fleet of GP38-2's. Mike Bledsoe photo. American-Rails.com collection.

Except for the later GP40 and GP40-2 models, the GP38 and GP38-2 were EMD’s most successful second-generation Geeps and like the earlier GP35 fit exactly what railroads were looking for in terms of horsepower while also including the manufacturers’ excellence in quality and reliability.

Because of the model’s success, it comes as no surprise that the unit can still be widely seen across the country from short lines and Regionals to Class Is.

In any event, be on the lookout for them because there are still hundreds roaming around out there!  Also, of particular note about the GP38 series.

Data Sheet

Entered Production (GP38)1/1966 (Detroit, Toledo & Ironton #200)
Entered Production (GP38AC)5/1970 (Detroit, Toledo & Ironton #210)
Entered Production (GP38-2)1/1972 (Louisville & Nashville #4050)
Years Produced (GP38)1/1966 - 8/1971
Years Produced (GP38AC)5/1970 - 12/1971
Years Produced (GP38-2)1/1972 - 5/1985
Engine (GP38 and GP38AC)645
Engine (GP38-2)645E
Engine BuilderGM
Horsepower2000
RPM800
Cylinders16
Length59' 2"
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)15' 5" (GP38 and GP38AC)
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab)15' 4" (GP38-2)
Width (GP38 and GP38AC)10' 4"
Width (GP38-2)10' 4 ½"
Weight (GP38 and GP38AC)245,000 Lbs
Weight (GP38-2)250,000 Lbs
Fuel Capacity1700 Gallons
Air CompressorGardner-Denver
Air Compressor ModelWBO
Air Brake ManufacturerWestinghouse
Air Brake Schedule24L
TrucksB-B
Truck TypeBlomberg
Truck Wheelbase9'
Wheel Size40"
Traction MotorsD77 (4), GM
Primary Generator (GP38 and GP38AC)D32, GM
Primary Generator (GP38-2)AR10, GM
Auxiliary GeneratorDelco (64-72)
AlternatorD14
MU (Multiple-Unit)Yes
Dynamic BrakesYes
Gear Ratio62:15
Tractive Effort (Starting)61,000 Lbs at 25%
Tractive Effort (Continuous)50,000 Lbs at 10.8 mph (GP38 and GP38AC)
Tractive Effort (Continuous)54,700 Lbs at 11.1 mph (GP38-2)
Top Speed65 mph
2859203094237562368398743809.jpgOne of the Katy's few GP38's it owned, #303, is seen here at the shops in Parsons, Kansas in 1969. American-Rails.com collection.

Production Rosters

GP38

Total Built = 706

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Order Number Completion Date
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 200-204 31064-31068 7844 1/1966-2/1966
Bangor & Aroostook 81-82 31213-31214 7858 2/1966-3/1966
Norfolk Southern 2001-2002 31782-31783 7895 6/1966
Erie Mining Company 700-701 31949-31950 5706 1/1967
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 47-48 32290-32291 5721 10/1966
Norfolk Southern 2003-2004 32308-32309 7925 10/1966
Texas-Mexican 857 32461 5719 11/1966
Norfolk Southern 2005-2007 32491-32493 7937 6/1967-7/1967
Missouri Pacific 572-574 32495-32497 7938 10/1966
Missouri Pacific 575 32608 7938 10/1966
Maine Central 251-262 32660-32671 7946 11/1966-12/1966
Missouri Pacific 576 32672 7938 11/1966
Texas-Mexican 858 32673 7947 6/1967
Bangor & Aroostook 83-84 33050-33051 7980 3/1967
Bangor & Aroostook 85 33052 5726 3/1967
Clinchfield 2000-2009 33062-33071 5724 4/1967
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 49-52 33072-33075 5725 4/1967
Missouri Pacific 577 33174 7999 6/1967
Bangor & Aroostook 86 33199 5734 11/1967
Bangor & Aroostook 87-88 33200-33201 7059 11/1967
Maine Central 263 33280 7065 10/1967
Baltimore & Ohio 3800-3849 33318-33367 7060 10/1967-11/1967
Chesapeake & Ohio 3850-3899 33681-33730 7060 11/1967-12/1967
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines 2000-2004 33797-33801 7076 12/1967
Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia 80 33802 5736 2/1968
Aberdeen & Rockfish 400 34029 5737 6/1968
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines 2005-2009 34752-34756 7154 4/1969
Monongahela Railway 2000-2004 35074-35078 7182 8/1969
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 701-720 35164-35183 7185 8/1969
Southern 2716-2727 35246-35257 7189 9/1969-10/1969
Southern 2728-2752 35258-35282 5744 9/1969-10/1969
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 205-206 35291-35292 7188 9/1969
Penn Central 7675-7814 35304-35443 7191 6/1969-11/1969
Penn Central 7815-7824 35444-35453 7202 11/1969
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 300-303 35934-35937 7230 12/1969
Burlington Northern 2072-2076 35995-35999 5754 2/1970
Burlington Northern 2077 36000 7239 2/1970
Southern 2753-2777 36001-36025 7240 10/1969-11/1969
Southern 2778-2822 36026-36070 7240 1/1970-3/1970
Louisville & Nashville 4000-4019 36313-36332 7257 6/1970-7/1970
Penn Central 7825-7867 36441-36483 7265 5/1970-6/1970
Santa Fe 3500-3560 36536-36586 7266 6/1970-9/1970
Chesapeake & Ohio 4820-4829 36666-36675 7274 7/1970-8/1970
Baltimore & Ohio 4800-4819 36676-36695 7274 8/1970-12/1970
Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines 2010-2014 36801-36805 7281 11/1970
Penn Central 7868-7903, 7908-7937 36927-36992 7291 1/1971-3/1971
Penn Central 7904-7907 36993-36996 7299 3/1971-4/1971
Penn Central 7938-7939 37011-37012 7291 3/1971-4/1971
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 53-54 37375-37376 5769 4/1971
Texas-Mexican 859 37424 5770 8/1971
Texas-Mexican 860 7373-1 7373 8/1971

Reused Serials

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Order Number Completion Date
Baltimore & Ohio 3837 33355 8085 7/1971

Export

Owner Road Numbers Serial Numbers Order Numbers Completion Date
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 130-131 33184-33185 710935-710936 7/1967
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 135-136 37266-37267 711869-711870 6/1971
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) 512-513 37617-37618 711970-711971 9/1971

GP38AC

Total Built = 261

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Order Number Completion Date
Norfolk & Western 4100-4124 35620-35644 7326 8/1971, 10/1971
Norfolk & Western 4125-4139 35645-35659 5775 6/1971
Norfolk & Western 4140-4144 35660-35664 5775 9/1971-10/1971
Illinois Central 9500-9519 35665-35684 5747 2/1970
Louisville & Nashville 4020-4029 35973-35982 7234 5/1971
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 721-727 36079-36085 5766 3/1971-4/1971
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 730-732 36086-36088 7304 4/1971
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 210-217 (215-217 renumbered 209, 208, 207 upon delivery) 36333-36340 7258 5/1970
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 215-220 36866-36871 7287 7/1971
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 633-648 37018-37033 7293 2/1971
Louisville & Nashville 4030-4039 37268-37277 7305 5/1971
Southern 2823-2836 37295-37308 7307 4/1971-5/1971
Southern 2837-2850 37309-37322 7307 9/1971-11/1971
Southern 2851-2878 37323-37350 5778 8/1971-10/1971
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 654-658 37437-37441 7313 4/1971
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 649-653 37442-37446 7293 2/1971-3/1971
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 659-662 37447-37450 7313 2/1971-4/1971
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 728-729 37451-37452 5766 4/1971
Louisville & Nashville 4040-4049 37629-37638 7305 5/1971-6/1971
Pacific Power & Light Company 11 37891 5785 12/1971
Grand Trunk Western 5800-5811 37929-37940 7333 12/1971
Norfolk & Western 4145-4159 38188-38202 5775 9/1971-12/1971
Lehigh Valley 310-313 7368-1 thru 7368-4 7368 12/1971
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 733 7388-1 7388 12/1971

GP38-2

Total Built = 2,213

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Completion Date
Louisville & Nashville 4050-4059 5806-1 thru 5806-10 1/1972
Belt Railway of Chicago 490-495 5807-1 thru 5807-6 8/1972-9/1972
Southern 5000-5009 5809-1 thru 5809-10 1/1972-2/1972
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 678-682 5810-1 thru 5810-5 3/1972
Louisville & Nashville 4060-4069 7339-1 thru 7339-10 4/1972
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 663-677 7342-1 thru 7342-15 3/1972
Missouri Pacific 858-902 7344-1 thru 7344-45 1/1972-2/1972
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio 740-754 7351-1 thru 7351-15 4/1972, 8/1972
Penn Central 7940-8039 7354-1 thru 7354-100 5/1972-8/1972
Southern 5010-5054 7362-1 thru 7362-45 2/1972-3/1972
Burlington Northern 2078-2087 7369-1 thru 7369-10 5/1972
Lehigh Valley 314-325 7386-1 thru 7386-12 11/1972
Missouri Pacific 923-959 71702-1 thru 71702-37 1/1973-5/1973
Louisville & Nashville 4090-4099 72604-1 thru 72604-10 10/1972
Louisville & Nashville 4070-4089 72704-1 thru 72704-20 9/1972
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 700-703 72614-1 thru 72614-4 12/1972
Penn Central 8040-8153 72627-1 thru 72627-114 2/1973-3/1973
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 683-691 72634-1 thru 72634-9 12/1972
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 692-699 72734-1 thru 72734-8 11/1972-12/1972
Louisville & Nashville 4115-4124 72635-1 thru 72635-10 3/1973
Louisville & Nashville 4100-4114 72735-1 thru 72735-15 2/1973-3/1973
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 304-313 72644-1 thru 72644-10 12/1972
Southern 5059-5103 72745-1 thru 72745-45 8/1973-10/1973
Southern 5055-5058 72653-1 thru 72653-4 12/1972
Public Service Company of Indiana WG1-WG2 72656-1, 72656-2 4/1974
Missouri Pacific 913-922 72659-1 thru 72659-10 10/1972
Missouri Pacific 903-912 72759-1 thru 72759-10 9/1972-10/1972
Vermont Railway 201 72665-1 1/1972
Durham & Southern 2000-2003 72670-1 thru 72670-4 12/1972
Seaboard Coast Line 500-524 72785-1 thru 72785-25 3/1973-4/1973
Atlanta & St Andrews Bay 508-509 72686-1, 72686-2 5/1973
Milwaukee Road 350-355 72689-1 thru 72689-6 6/1973
Kansas City Southern 4000-4009 72691-1 thru 72691-10 1/1974
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 400-417 73606-1 thru 73606-18 6/1973-7/1973
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 418-425 73706-1 thru 73706-8 7/1973
Seaboard Coast Line 525-555 73607-1 thru 73607-31 10/1973-11/1973
Penn Central 8154-8162 73608-1 thru 73608-9 10/1973
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 704 73618-1 10/1973
Louisville & Nashville 4125-4144 73631-1 thru 73631-20 8/1973-9/1973
Colorado & Wyoming 2001-2002 73632-1, 73632-2 11/1973-12/1973
Boston & Maine 201-212 73636-1 thru 73636-12 12/1973
Phelps Dodge Corporation 1-3 73640-1 thru 73640-3 10/1973
Southern 5104-5107 73652-1 thru 73652-4 1/1974
Southern 5108-5138 73752-1 thru 73752-31 1/1974-2/1974
Union Pacific 2000-2039 73662-1 thru 73662-40 3/1974-6/1974
Southern 5139-5162 73677-1 thru 73677-24 10/1974
Missouri Pacific 2111-2120 73679-1 thru 73679-10 9/1974-10/1974
Milwaukee Road 356-365 74610-1 thru 74610-10 9/1974
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 426-446 74617-1 thru 74617-21 8/1974
Texas-Mexican 861-862 74625-1, 74625-2 9/1974
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 314-317 74629-1 thru 74629-4 8/1974
San Manuel Arizona 16-17 74631-1, 74631-2 10/1974-11/1974
Illinois Central Gulf 9600-9639 74646-1 thru 74646-40 11/1974-12/1974
Detroit, Toledo & Ironton 221-228 74652-1 thru 74652-8 8/1975
Burlington Northern 2088-2109 74674-1 thru 74674-22 11/1974
Union Pacific 2040-2059 74675-1 thru 74675-20 4/1975
Missouri Pacific 2121-2132 74689-1 thru 74689-12 1/1975-2/1975
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 447-458 74693-1 thru 74693-12 1/1975
Vermont Railway 202 75603-1 10/1974
Southern 5163-5171 75614-1 thru 75614-9 8/1975
Atlanta & St Andrews Bay 510 75623-1 7/1975
Mississippi Export 65 75645-1 9/1975
Armco Steel B84 756065-1 9/1975
Long Island Rail Road 250-271 756091-1/22 1/1976-2/1976
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company 100-108 756112-1 thru 756112-9 10/1975
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 9, 55-56 756116-1 thru 756116-3 3/1976
Rock Island 4300-4314 756136-1 thru 756136-15 8/1976-9/1976
Rock Island 4315-4355 757136-1 thru 757136-41 9/1976-11/1876
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 318-321 767003-1 thru 767003-4 6/1976
Missouri Pacific 2133-2137 766004-1 thru 766004-5 7/1976-8/1976
Butte, Anaconda & Pacific 108 766008-1 2/1977
Southern 5172-5201 767011-1 thru 767011-30 9/1976-10/1986
Southern 5202-5225 767017-1 thru 767017-24 1/1977
St. Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 459-478 767030-1 thru 767030-20 11/1976-12/1976
Phelps Dodge Corporation 4 766036-1 3/1977
Long Island Rail Road 272-277 766041-1 thru 766041-6 3/1977-4/1977
Southern 5226-5231 767053-1 thru 767053-6 2/1977
Toledo, Peoria & Western 2001-2004 766058-1 thru 766058-4 5/1977
Illinois Terminal 2001-2004 766065-1 thru 766065-4 6/1977
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 2051-2056 766073-1 thru 766073-6 6/1977
Conrail 8163-8180 767077-1 thru 767077-18 6/1977
Soo Line 790-796 777020-1 thru 777020-7 9/1977-10/1977
Missouri Pacific 2138-2147 776034-1 thru 776034-10 10/1977
Missouri Pacific 2148-2157 777035-1 thru 777035-10 10/1977-11/1977
Florida East Coast 501-504 776040-1 thru 776040-4 11/1977-12/1977
Florida East Coast 511 777041-1 4/1978
Texas-Mexican 863 776077-1 6/1978
Grand Trunk Western 5812-5831 776095-1 thru 776095-20 12/1978
Florida East Coast 505-510 776110-1 thru 776110-6 4/1978
Soo Line 797-799 777112-1 thru 777112-3 4/1978-5/1978
Toledo, Peoria & Western 2005-2011 776122-1 thru 776122-7 10/1978
Conrail 8181-8201 777125-1 thru 777125-21 5/1978-6/1978
Conrail 8202-8223 777126-1/22 7/1978-8/1978
Clinchfield (Family Lines) 6000-6004 777132-1 thru 777132-5 6/1978
Kansas City Southern 4010-4011 786135-1/2 6/1978
Butte, Anaconda & Pacific 109 786138-1 12/1978
Conrail 8224-8255 787147-1 thru 787147-32 9/1978
Rock Island 4368-4379 786157-1 thru 786157-12 11/1978-12/1978
Soo Line 4410-4415 786161-1/6 10/1978
Soo Line 4416-4425 786188-1 thru 786188-10 5/1979-6/1979
Soo Line 4426-4435 787189-1 thru 787189-10 7/1979
Conrail 8256-8281 787192-1 thru 787192-26 5/1979-6/1979
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) 6011-6030 786204-1 thru 786204-20 3/1979-4/1979
Clinchfield (Family Lines) 6005-6006 786205-1, 786205-2 4/1979
Atlanta & West Point (Family Lines) 6007-6008 786206-1, 786206-2 4/1979
Georgia Railroad (Family Lines) 6009-6010 786206-3, 786206-4 4/1979
Mississippi Export 66 786213-1 4/1979
Texas-Mexican 864 786233-1 9/1979
South East Coal Company 3821-3823 786237-1, 786237-3 3/1979
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) 6031-6044 786238-1 thru 786238-14 7/1979-8/1979
Soo Line 4436-4443 787255-1 thru 787255-8 6/1980
Missouri Pacific 2158-2197 787270-1 thru 787270-40 1/1980-2/1980
Chicago & North Western 4600-4625 786271-1 thru 786271-26 11/1979-12/1979
Southern Pacific 4800-4844 78272-1 thru 78272-45 5/1980-7/1980
Southern 5232-5256 786292-1 thru 786292-25 8/1979-9/1979
Grand Trunk Western 5832-5836 796298-1 thru 796298-5 1/1980
Burlington Northern (Fort Worth & Denver) 2150-2154 796299-1 thru 796299-5 6/1980
Providence & Worcester 2006 796301-1 2/1980
Chicago & North Western 4626-4634 797303-1 thru 797303-9 12/1979
Clinchfield (Family Lines) 6045 796312-1 8/1979
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) 6046-6050 796313-1 thru 796313-5 8/1979-9/1979
Missouri Pacific 2198-2237 796323-1 thru 796323-40 7/1980-8/1980
Texas-Mexican 865 796326-1 7/1980
Chicago, South Shore & South Bend 2000-2009 796333-1 thru 796333-10 1/1981
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) 6051-6054 797351-1 thru 797351-4 3/1980
Providence & Worcester 2007-2008 796356-1, 796356-2 12/1980
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) 6055-6059 796381-1 thru 796381-5 10/1980-11/1980
Angelina & Neches River 2000 796383-1 8/1980
Curtis, Milburn & Eastern 817-819, 810 796388-1 thru 796388-4 1/1981
Soo Line 4444-4450 797394-1/7 02/81 2/1981
Texas-Mexican 866 806017-1 12/1980
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) 6060-6065 807032-1 thru 807032-6 11/1980
Missouri Pacific 2290-2319 807047-1 thru 807047-30 2/1981-3/1981
Missouri Pacific 2320-2334 807052-1 thru 807052-15 7/1981-8/1981
Phelps Dodge Corporation (Morenci Mine) 58 816026-1 4/1982
Providence & Worcester 2009 827002-1 9/1982
Soo Line 4451-4452 827032-1, 827032-2 3/1983
Texas-Mexican 867 847025-1 5/1985

Export

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Completion Date
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) 514-516 712423-712425 8/1972
Saudi Government Railway 2000 712783 9/1973
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 141 712953 1/1974
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) 517-521 75630-1 thru 75630-5 7/1975
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9200-9219 75633-1 thru 75633-20 6/1975
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9401-9404 756056-1 thru 756056-4 10/1975
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 145 756062-1 1/1976
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9220-9299 756076-1 thru 756076-80 10/1975-12/1975
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9400 756076-81 12/1975
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico 900-909 788017-1 thru 788017-10 2/1979-3/1979
Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico 910-911 788028-1, 788028-2 4/1980
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9405-9414 788030-1 thru 788030-10 3/1979
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 157-158 788062-1, 788062-2 11/1978
Altos Hornos de México-AHMSA 167-168 798075-1, 798075-2 10/1980-11/1980
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) 528-530 808051-1 thru 808051-3 8/1981
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) 531-533 818024-1 thru 818024-3 3/1982
Ferrocarril Nacional de México 9901-9909 818041-1 thru 818041-9 6/1983-7/1983

General Motors Diesel Division (GMDD)

Owner Road Number(s) Serial Number(s) Order Number Completion Date
Canadian National 5500-5535 A2673-A2708 C350 11/1972-1/1973
Canadian National 5536-5559 A2819-A2842 C350 1/1973-6/1973
Ontario Northland 1800-1803 A3109-A3112 C373 11/1974
Texas Gulf Sulphur Company 054-055 A3493-A3494 C401 10/1976
Devco 216-219 A3684-A3687 C415 5/1979-6/1979
Devco 220-223 A4063-A4066 C432 4/1981
Algoma Central 200-205 A4067-A4072 C437 4/1981
Devco 224-227 A4278-A4281 C440 6/1982
Ontario Northland 1804-1807 A4284-A4287 C443 12/1982
Canadian Pacific 3021-3040 A4318-A4337 C445 4/1983-6/1983
Devco 228 A4347 C447 7/1983
Ontario Northland 1808-1809 A4427-A4428 C453 9/1984
Canadian Pacific 3041-3085 A4502-A4546 C456 10/1985-2/1986
Canadian Pacific 3086-3135 A4637-A4686 C462 3/1986-7/1986
Canadian National 5560 (GP38-2W) A2843 C350 6/1973
Canadian National 5561-5610 (GP38-2W) A2888-A2937 C360 10/1973-1/1974

A set of six, new Burlington Northern GP38's were photographed here with time freight #97 (formerly Great Northern's "West Coaster") near Minot, North Dakota on March 3, 1970. Harr, Hedrich-Blessing photo. Author's collection.

In 1982 Trains Magazine selected Baltimore & Ohio GP38 #3802 as its All American Diesel for the locomotive's performance, service, reliability and the fact that it was an extremely successful design found all across the country.   The unit ended its career on CSX as #9699.

Unfortunately, even after it was planned to be handed over to the B&O Railroad Museum upon retirement the famous Geep was initially in danger of being sold to a leasing firm. Thankfully the near-blunder was averted and as promised the museum received it as a donation from CSX.

Today it awaits restoration back into its original Chessie System colors (when it received its All American status) as well as the nameplates it originally received.  Today, the GP38, GP38-2, and GP38AC can still be regularly found on small and large railroads.  

Sources

  • Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.
  • Marre, Louis A. and Pinkepank, Jerry A. Contemporary Diesel Spotter's Guide, The: A Comprehensive Reference Manual To Locomotives Since 1972.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1989.
  • McDonnell, Greg. Locomotives: The Modern Diesel & Electric Reference, 2nd Edition. Buffalo: Boston Mills Press/Firefly Books, 2015.
  • 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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