Last revised: June 21, 2023
By: Adam Burns
The SD40 and SD40-2 have become icons, even in their own time. So successful was the series that one can still spot them regularly today, more than 40 years after the last SD40-2 rolled off of the assembly line.
The only other EMD models that were as successful were the first-generation, four-axle GP7 and GP9.
When the company first released the SD40 in 1966 railroads were not only seeing the economical advantage gained with six-axle locomotives but also understood that more powerful diesels meant fewer units need per train, thus operating costs decreased.
The later SD40-2 was part of EMD's new "Dash 2" line and sparked a firestorm of sales that kept it in production nearly 15 years. While there are a few SD40s officially preserved so many remain in use that there is little need to visit a museum to see one; simply go trackside and wait for one to pass by!
No other second-generation locomotive could compare to the SD40 series; the two models (SD40 and SD40-2) became the face of EMD and what the locomotive builder stood for and represented.
The model also became the standard of the industry during their time in production. Their redundancy and rugged continues to make the SD40 series popular today with some still roaming Class I systems into the 2020's.
In many ways, the SD40 was the final curtain all for Electro-Motive as by the very late 1980s GE overtook the company as leader of locomotive manufacturing and continues to hold that title even today.
The SD40 series began production in 1966 with the SD40, which was built through 1972 and ended production in 1986 when the last SD40-2 rolled off of the assembly line.
When the series debuted it was just what railroads were after. Looking for a more powerful, reliable and gritty locomotive that could be counted on to work properly in almost any type of weather conditions the SD40 and SD40-2 were it.
Rated at 3,000 horseower, equipped with EMD’s standard cab design, and a C-C layout (meaning they had six axles) the units carried EMD's 16-cylinder 645E3 diesel engine and high-traction truck.
Extremely reliable the prime mover was loved by maintenance and shop crews and even many engineers have said the locomotive itself is a joy to operate as it experiences very little problems when in service.
The original EMD SD40 offered railroads tractive effort ratings of 92,000 pounds starting and 82,000 pounds continuous, not particularly different from what the earlier SD38 series included.
The later SD40-2 released in January, 1972 offered the same tractive effort ratings. Perhaps the biggest external difference between the SD40 and SD40-2 was the frame itself.
The SD40 has a length of 65 feet, 9 inches whereas the SD40-2’s 68 foot, 10 inch frame is clearly noticeable with protruding platforms on the front and rear of the locomotive (sometimes called “porches”).
While the SD40 is considered very successful itself what made the SD40-2 the best selling locomotive of the second-generation class was its additional upgraded features, which included things like electronics, an oblong water-level sight glass and bolted battery boxes just to name a few.
The purpose behind the extra length of the SD40-2 was actually in regards only to the trucks.
As part of EMD's new "Dash 2" line the model not only included new features such as a new type of traction motor blower duct, a modular electronic cabinet system, and bolted battery box access doors but also offered the new HT-C truck.
This truck had been developed by the company in 1970 and replaced the previous Flexicoil design.
Its added length required the frame to be longer on each end, thus the creation of the "porches". In essence the new HT-C truck offered by shock absorbers to improve the ride and wear of the axles and traction motors as well as introduced a better way to house the motors themselves.
Interestingly, when Conrail ordered there SD40-2s, and even SD50s, they asked the units be equipped with the older Flexicoil due to issues with the HT-C that were later dispelled.
Aside from general features like dynamic brakes and turbocharging (a feature that EMD had only begun adding to its locomotives with the SD24 of the late 1950s, the SD40 featured an airtight hood that kept out dust, dirt, and other particles from reaching internal components.
To cool these critical components the SD40 featured a single air intake for electrical cooling, with a pressurized cooling system.
This was another recent development first featured on the earliest second-generation models like the GP20 and GP30. By the time production ended on the SD40 series an astronomical 5,200+ units had been built!
Most of these were SD40-2s as just under 4,000 were produced during its fourteen years of production while the SD40 chipped in another 1,200+.
There were numerous variations of the SD40 series constructed due to its enormous success. These models include the SDP40 which was built for passenger service and featured a steam generator.
Unstable at high speeds Amtrak operated the locomotives for only a few years before replacing them. Another was the SD40A, which at 70 feet, 8 inches was longer (built from an SDP45 frame) to accommodate a 5,000 gallon fuel tank.
All eighteen were purchased by Illinois Central. There was also the test model SD40X (hence the "X"), also known as an SD35X.
The experimental unit featured EMD's then new 645 prime mover and was essentially the birth of the SD40, using the frame of the SD35. Five were constructed between 1965 and 1966, all purchased by the Kansas City Southern.
Another experimental design was the SD40-2S built in the spring of 1978. It was meant to provide more power by featuring a larger turbocharger and larger 645E3 engine block.
Just nine were built and purchased by the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific.
The most successful variant was the SD40T-2 constructed between June, 1974 and July, 1980. Some 310 examples were sold to Denver & Rio Grande, Southern Pacific, and SP subsidiary Cotton Belt for use in high altitude mountainous tunnel service.
The Espee had solved ventilation issues in tunnel operations during the steam era with the Cab Forward design. However, nothing was available in the diesel era until the "tunnel motors" were released; first with the SD45T-2 of 1972 followed a few years later by the SD40T-2.
EMD solved the ventilation issues and problems of the diesels overheating by placing the radiator intakes and radiator fan grills to the rear of the locomotive along the bottom of the carbody (to also pick up as much fresh air as possible) and away from top of the locomotive where all of the hot fumes exited.
This redesign completely solved the issue and the railroads no longer had serious problems with units overheating when operating through long tunnels.
A few other notable variants were the SD40-2W, featuring a wide cab and the SD40-2F, which was another wide cab variant featuring a cowl carbody.
Entered Production (SD40) | 1/1966 (Chicago & North Western #867) |
Entered Production (SD40X) | 7/1964 (Demonstrator #434) |
Entered Production (SD40A) | 8/1969 (Illinois Central #6006) |
Entered Production (SD40-2) | 1/1972 (Kansas City Southern #637) |
Entered Production (SD40-2SS) | 3/1978 (Burlington Northern #7049) |
Years Produced (SD40) | 1/1966 - 7/1972 |
Years Produced (SD40X) | 7/1964 - 4/1965 |
Years Produced (SD40A) | 8/1969 - 1/1970 |
Years Produced (SDP40) | 5/1966 |
Years Produced (SD40-2) | 1/1972 - 7/1984 |
Years Produced (SD40-2SS) | 3/1978 - 11/1980 |
Engine | 645E3 |
Engine Builder | GM |
Horsepower | 3000 |
Horsepower (SD40X) | 3500 |
RPM | 900 |
RPM (SD40-2) | 904 |
Cylinders | 16 |
Length (SD40) | 65' 8" |
Length (SD40-2) | 68' 10" |
Length (SD40A) | 70' 8" |
Height (Top Of Rail To Top Of Cab) | 15' 7 ½" |
Width | 10' 3" |
Weight | 368,000 Lbs |
Weight (SD40-2SS) | 392,000 Lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 3200 Gallons |
Fuel Capacity (SD40A) | 4000 Gallons |
Air Compressor | Gardner-Denver |
Air Compressor Model | WBO |
Air Brake Manufacturer | Westinghouse |
Air Brake Schedule | 26L |
Trucks | C-C |
Truck Type | HT-C |
Truck Wheelbase | 13' 7" |
Wheel Size | 40" |
Traction Motors | D77 (6), GM |
Primary Generator | AR10, GM |
Primary Generator (SD40-2SS) | AR16, GM |
Auxiliary Generator | Delco (A8102) |
Alternator | D14 |
MU (Multiple-Unit) | Yes |
Dynamic Brakes | Yes |
Gear Ratio | 62:15 |
Gear Ratio (SDP40) | 59:15 |
Tractive Effort (Starting) | 92,000 Lbs at 25% (SD40, SD40A, SD40-2SS, SD40X) |
Tractive Effort (Starting) | 90,000 Lbs at 25% (SDP40) |
Tractive Effort (Starting) | 115,000 Lbs at 31.5% (SD40-2) |
Tractive Effort (Continuous) | 82,100 Lbs at 11 mph (SD40, SD40A, SD40-2, SD40-2SS, SD40X) |
Tractive Effort (Continuous) | 82,100 Lbs at 6.6 mph (SDP40) |
Top Speed | 65 mph |
Top Speed (SDP40) | 95 mph |
Total Built = 1,268
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gulf Mobile & Ohio | 901-912 | 31007-31018 | 7843 | 3/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 867-880 | 31263-31276 | 7846 | 1/1966-2/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 881-886 | 31277-31282 | 7874 | 1/1966-2/1966 |
Pennsylvania | 6040-6104 | 31285-31349 | 7862 | 2/1966-3/1966 |
Union Pacific | 3000-3024 | 31414-31438 | 7865 | 3/1966-4/1966 |
Southern Pacific | 8410-8478 | 31491-31569 | 7861 | 2/1966-5/1966 |
Southern Pacific | 8400-8409 | 31560-31569 | 7875 | 2/1966 |
Union Pacific | 3025-3039 | 31575-31589 | 7868 | 4/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 887 | 31760 | 7892 | 4/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 888-889 | 31761-31762 | 7893 | 4/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 890-892 | 31763-31765 | 5701 | 4/1966 |
Atlanta & St Andrews Bay | 506 | 31766 | 7894 | 6/1966 |
Gainesville Midland | 10 | 31799 | 5702 | 6/1966 |
Norfolk & Western | 1580-1609 | 31899-31928 | 5707 | 5/1966-6/1966 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7450-7454 | 31929-31933 | 7886 | 8/1966 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7455-7457 | 31934-31936 | 7907 | 7/1966 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7458-7459 | 31937-31938 | 7906 | 8/1966-9/1966 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7460-7469 | 31939-31948 | 7907 | 7/1966-8/1966 |
Santa Fe | 1700 | 32036 | 7872 | 3/1966 |
Santa Fe | 1701-1702 | 32037-32038 | 7908 | 4/1966 |
Santa Fe | 1703-1709 | 32039-32045 | 7909 | 4/1966-5/1966 |
Santa Fe | 1710-1719 | 32046-32055 | 7910 | 3/1966-4/1966 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1225-1228 | 32088-32091 | 5709 | 6/1966, 9/1966 |
Chicago Great Western | 401-409 | 32092-32100 | 7912 | 8/1966-9/1966 |
Kansas City Southern | 600-611 | 32101-32112 | 7914 | 10/1966-12/1966 |
Kansas City Southern | 612-613 | 32113-32114 | 5711 | 10/1966 |
Western Maryland | 7470-7474 | 32134-32138 | 5714 | 8/1966 |
Clinchfield | 3000-3007 | 32141-32148 | 5710 | 9/1966 |
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 913-921 | 32161-32169 | 7920 | 9/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 893 | 32314 | 7927 | 10/1966 (7927) |
Union Pacific | 3048-3082 | 32400-32434 | 7932 | 10/1966-12/2966 |
Chicago & North Western | 894-896 | 32686-32688 | 7952 | 1/1967 |
Missouri Pacific | 700-719 | 32968-32987 | 7962 | 3/1967-4/1967 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7475-7481 | 33154-33160 | 7972 | 5/1967 |
Baltimore & Ohio | 7482-7494 | 33161-33173 | 7998 | 5/1967 |
Illinois Central | 6000-6005 | 33244-33249 | 5732 | 12/1967 |
Colorado & Southern | 875-878 | 33516-33519 | 7073 | 10/1967 |
Southern Pacific | 8479-8488 | 33671-33680 | 7083 | 5/1968-6/1968 |
Missouri Pacific | 720-733 | 33771-33784 | 7995 | 1/1968-3/1968 |
Colorado & Southern | 879-887 | 33918-33926 | 7103 | 4/1968 |
Kansas City Southern | 614-617 | 33958-33961 | 7974 | 8/1968 |
Kansas City Southern | 618-619 | 33962-33963 | 7097 | 8/1968 |
Kansas City Southern | 620-621 | 33964-33965 | 7098 | 8/1968 |
Western Maryland | 7495-7496 | 34104-34105 | 7131 | 11/1968 |
Clinchfield | 3008 | 34177 | 7124 | 9/1968 |
Missouri Pacific | 734-753 | 34504-34523 | 7144 | 2/1969 |
Clinchfield | 3009-3014 | 34742-34747 | 7152 | 2/1969 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1229-1233 | 34758-34762 | 7155 | 4/1969 |
Baltimore & Ohio | 7497-7500 | 34775-34778 | 7159 | 4/1969 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7501-7506 | 34779-34784 | 7159 | 4/1969 |
Soo Line | 736-745 | 34889-34898 | 7169 | 4/1969-5/1969 |
Western Maryland | 7445-7449 | 34967-34971 | 7172 | 6/1969-7/1969 |
Grand Trunk Western | 5900-5911 | 35184-35195 | 7186 | 8/1969-9/1969 |
Kansas City Southern | 626 | 35493 | 7196 | 6/1970 |
Kansas City Southern | 627 | 35494 | 7197 | 6/1970 |
Kansas City Southern | 622-625 | 35495-35498 | 7203 | 6/1970 |
Norfolk & Western | 1610-1624 | 35605-35619 | 7320 | 5/1971 |
Missouri Pacific | 754-769 | 35725-35740 | 7214 | 1/1970 |
Grand Trunk Western | 5912-5920 | 35831-35839 | 7221 | 1/1970 |
Kansas City Southern | 628-631 | 35840-35843 | 7222 | 3/1971 |
Kansas City Southern | 632-633 | 35844-35845 | 7223 | 3/1971 |
Kansas City Southern | 634-635 | 35846-35847 | 7224 | 3/1971 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1234-1238 | 35948-35952 | 7232 | 4/1970 |
Soo Line | 746-749 | 36099-36102 | 7241 | 3/1970 |
Detroit Edison | 001-002 | 36124-36125 | 7252 | 5/1970 |
Detroit Edison | 005 | 36126 | 7254 | 4/1970 |
Detroit Edison | 003-004 | 36127-36128 | 7253 | 4/1970-5/1970 |
Detroit Edison | 006 | 36129 | 7254 | 5/1970 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7507-7516 | 36696-36705 | 7276 | 6/1970-7/1970 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7517-7526 | 36746-36755 | 7276 | 7/1970 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1239-1248 | 36809-36818 | 7282 | 8/1970-9/1970 |
Grand Trunk Western | 5921-5929 | 36887-36895 | 7289 | 9/1970 |
Penn Central | 6240-6270 | 36896-36926 | 7290 | 12/1970-1/1971 |
Penn Central | 6271-6284 | 36997-37010 | 7290 | 1/1971-2/1971 |
Chesapeake & Ohio | 7527-7536 | 37204-37213 | 7302 | 3/1971 |
Southern | 3170-3183 | 37355-37368 | 7308 | 4/1971 |
Southern | 3184-3185 | 37369-37370 | 5777 | 4/1971 |
Clinchfield | 3015-3019 | 37417-37421 | 7311 | 6/1971-7/1971 |
Clinchfield | 3020 | 37422 | 5776 | 6/1971 |
Soo Line | 750-756 | 37425-37431 | 5781 | 5/1971 |
Clinchfield | 3021-3024 | 37538-37541 | 5776 | 6/1971 |
Missouri Pacific | 770-789 | 37543-37562 | 7319 | 3/1971-4/1971 |
Union Pacific | 3083-3097 | 37639-37653 | 7324 | 8/1971-9/1971 |
Union Pacific | 3098-3122 | 37904-37928 | 7324 | 9/1971-10/1971 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1249-1258 | 38203-38212 | 5787 | 5/1971 |
Kansas City Southern | 636 | 38363 | 7222 | 3/1971 |
Burlington Northern | 6300-6324 | 5801-1/25 | 5801 | 10/1971-11/1971 |
Southern | 3186-3200 | 7375-1/15 | 7375 | 1/1972 |
Detroit Edison | 013-014 | 5817-1, 5817-2 | 5817 | 7/1972 |
Detroit Edison | 015-017 | 5818-1 thru 5818-3 | 5818 | 7/1972 |
Reused Serials
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio | 902 | 31008 | 8076 | 10/1966 |
Chicago & North Western | 880 | 31276 | 8075 | 10/1966 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington) | 876-877 | 33517-33518 | 8082 | 12/1968 |
Total Built = 9
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Electro-Motive (Demonstrator) | 434 (became Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #950) | 29025 | 5662 | 7/1964 |
Electro-Motive (Demonstrators) | 434A-434D (became Union Pacific #3040-3043) | 29873-29876 | 5673 | 2/1965 |
Electro-Motive (Demonstrators) | 434E-434H (became Union Pacific #3044-3047) | 30499-30502 | 5673 | 4/1965 |
Total Built = 18
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Illinois Central | 6006-6018 | 34939-34951 | 5743 | 8/1969-9/1969 |
Illinois Central | 6019-6023 | 35685-35689 | 5748 | 1/1970 |
Total Built = 6
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Great Northern | 320-325 | 31592-31597 | 7870 | 5/1966 |
Total Built = 3,982
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Burlington Northern | 6325-6339 | 5803-1 thru 5803-15 | 2/1972 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 900-917 | 5812-1 thru 5812-18 | 3/1972-5/1972 |
Union Pacific | 3173-3202 | 5819-1 thru 5819-30 | 6/1972-8/1972 |
Kansas City Southern | 637-646 | 7226-1 thru 7226-10 | 1/1972 |
Union Pacific | 3123-3172 | 7334-1 thru 7334-50 | 1/1972-3/1972 |
Soo Line | 757-761 | 7390-1 thru 7390-5 | 3/1972 |
Milwaukee Road | 3000-3040 | 7396-1 thru 7396-41 | 7/1972-8/1972 |
Kansas City Southern | 653-654 | 72611-1 thru 72611-2 | 11/1972 |
Kansas City Southern | 655-656 | 72612-1 thru 72612-2 | 11/1972 |
Burlington Northern | 6340-6363 | 72639-1 thru 72639-24 | 3/1973-4/1973 |
Milwaukee Road | 171-181 | 72640-1 thru 72640-11 | 7/1973 |
Milwaukee Road | 21-25 | 72641-1 thru 72641-5 | 7/1973 |
Milwaukee Road | 26-30 | 72643-1 thru 72643-5 | 7/1973 |
Southern | 3201-3208 | 72652-1 thru 72652-8 | 12/1972 |
Kansas City Southern | 647-652 | 72658-1 thru 72658-6 | 11/1972 |
Southern | 3209-3216 | 72661-1 thru 72661-8 | 1/1973 |
Soo Line | 762-766 | 72672-1 thru 72672-5 | 1/1973 |
Burlington Northern | 6364-6375 | 72682-1 thru 72682-12 | 3/1973-4/1973 |
Union Pacific | 3203-3242 | 72684-1 thru 72684-40 | 4/1973-6/1973 |
Burlington Northern | 6824-6836 | 73601-1 thru 73601-13 | 11/1973-12/1973 |
Missouri Pacific | 795-814 | 73613-1 thru 73613-20 | 8/1973-9/1973 |
Missouri Pacific | 790-794 | 73713-1 thru 73713-5 | 8/1973 |
Southern | 3241-3243 | 73651-1 thru 73651-3 | 1/1974 |
Kansas City Southern | 657-660 | 73657-1 thru 73657-3 | 1/1974 |
Kansas City Southern | 661-663 | 73658-1 thru 73658-3 | 1/1974 |
Kansas City Southern | 664-666 | 73661-1 thru 73661-45 | 6/1974-7/1974 |
Union Pacific | 3243-3287 | 73665-1 thru 73665-5 | 12/1973-1/1974 |
Chicago & North Western | 6811-6815 | 73665-1 thru 73665-5 | 12/1973 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 918-925 | 73666-1 thru 73666-8 | 2/1974 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 980 | 73668-1 | 2/1974 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 996 | 73669-1 | 2/1974 |
Rock Island | 4790-4799 | 73676-1 thru 73676-10 | 12/1973 |
Milwaukee Road | 182-209 | 73687-1 thru 73687-28 | 5/1974-6/1974 |
Soo Line | 775-785 | 73695-1 thru 73695-11 | 10/1974 |
Soo Line | 786 | 73795-1 | 10/1974 |
Burlington Northern | 6376-6385 | 74600-1 thru 74600-10 | 4/1974 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1259-1260 | 74608-1, 74608-2 | 3/1974 |
Louisville & Nashville | 1261-1278 | 74708-1 thru 74708-18 | 3/1974 |
Chicago & North Western | 6816-6865 | 74609-1 thru 74609-50 | 2/1974-4/1974 |
Norfolk & Western | 1636-1652 | 74615-1 thru 74615-17 | 7/1974 |
Chicago & North Western | 6866-6890 | 74639-1 thru 74639-25 | 9/1974 |
Louisville & Nashville | 3554-3583 | 74644-1 thru 74644-30 | 10/1974-11/1974 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 950-959 | 74648-1 thru 74648-10 | 11/1974 |
Burlington Northern | 6700-6707 | 74660-1 thru 74660-8 | 12/1974 |
Chicago & North Western | 6891-6925 | 74661-1 thru 74661-35 | 1/1975-2/1975 |
Union Pacific | 3288-3304 | 74676-1 thru 74676-17 | 3/1975-4/1975 |
Missouri Pacific | 3164-3201 | 74690-1 thru 74690-38 | 2/1975-3/1975 |
Soo Line | 787-789 | 75604-1 thru 75604-3 | 10/1975 |
Southern | 3244-3254 | 75615-1 thru 75615-11 | 7/1975 |
Missouri Pacific | 3202-3215 | 75616-1 thru 75616-14 | 8/1975 |
Norfolk & Western | 6073-6138 | 75622-1 thru 75622-66 | 2/1975-5/1975 |
Illinois Central Gulf | 6030-6033 | 75640-1 thru 75640-4 | 12/1975 |
Burlington Northern | 6708-6742 | 756072-1 thru 756072-35 | 2/1976-3/1976 |
Burlington Northern | 6743-6747 | 756082-1 thru 756082-5 | 3/1976 |
Burlington Northern | 6748-6752 | 756083-1 thru 756083-5 | 3/1976 |
Missouri Pacific | 3216-3220 | 756145-1 thru 756145-5 | 7/1976 |
Kansas City Southern | 667-672 | 756153-1 thru 756153-6 | 8/1976 |
Kansas City Southern | 673-674 | 756154-1, 756154-2 | 8/1976 |
Kansas City Southern | 675-676 | 756155-1, 756155-2 | 8/1976 |
Missouri Pacific | 3221-3235 | 766005-1 thru 766005-15 | 8/1976-9/1976 |
Burlington Northern | 6753-6772 | 766010-1 thru 766010-20 | 11/1976-12/1976 |
Union Pacific | 8035-8064 | 767021-1 thru 767021-30 | 7/1976-9/1976 |
Burlington Northern | 6773-6780 | 766024-1 thru 766024-8 | 5/1977 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 930-931 | 766024-9, 766024-10 | 5/1977 |
Burlington Northern | 8000-8009 | 766025-1 thru 766025-10 | 5/1977 |
Colorado & Southern | 932-936 | 766025-11 thru 766025-15 | 5/1977 |
Chicago & North Western | 6926-6935 | 766032-1 thru 766032-10 | 11/1976 |
Baltimore & Ohio | 7600-7619 | 767033-1 thru 767033-20 | 1/1977-2/1977 |
Union Pacific | 3335-3399 | 766056-1 thru 766056-65 | 2/1977-5/1977 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 937-949, 960-961 | 766070-1 thru 766070-15 | 6/1977 |
Burlington Northern | 6781-6785 | 766071-1 thru 766071-5 | 11/1977 |
Burlington Northern | 6786-6790 | 766072-1 thru 766072-5 | 12/1977 |
Conrail | 6358-6403 | 766078-1 thru 766078-46 | 6/1977-8/1977 |
Conrail | 6404-6440 | 767078-1 thru 767078-37 | 8/1977-9/1977 |
Union Pacific | 8065-8074 | 776013-1 thru 776013-10 | 5/1977 |
Louisville & Nashville | 3584-3605 | 776023-1 thru 776023-22 | 9/1977 |
Louisville & Nashville | 3606-3609 | 776026-1 thru 776026-4 | 10/1977 |
Louisville & Nashville | 3610-3613 | 776027-1 776027-4 | 10/1977 |
Santa Fe | 5020-5026 (Evens) | 776029-1 thru 776029-4 | 11/1977 |
Santa Fe | 5021-5027 (Odds) | 776030-1 thru 776030-4 | 11/1977 |
Santa Fe | 5028-5057 | 776031-1 thru 776031-30 | 10/1977-11/1977 |
Southern | 3255-3287 | 776044-1/33 | 1/1978-2/1978 |
Kansas City Southern | 677-679 | 776046-1 thru 776046-3 | 3/1978 |
Kansas City Southern | 680-682 | 776047-1 thru 776047-3 | 3/1978 |
Burlington Northern | 6791-6799, 7000-7028 | 776053-1 thru 776053-38 | 11/1977-12/1977 |
Burlington Northern | 7029-7048, 8010-8029 | 776055-1 thru 776055-30 | 2/1978-3/1978 |
Burlington Northern | 7054-7062 | 776056-1 thru 776056-9 | 6/1978 |
Burlington Northern | 7063-7074 | 776057-1 thru 776057-12 | 7/1978 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 7832-7855 | 776057-13 thru 776057-37 | 7/1978-8/1978 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 600-606 | 776064-1 thru 776064-7 | 8/1978 |
Southern | 3288-3302 | 776082-1 thru 776082-15 | 5/1978-6/1978 |
Norfolk & Western | 6139-6188 | 776086-1 thru 776086-50 | 4/1978-6/1978 |
Union Pacific | 3410-3488 | 776088-1 thru 776088-79 | 03/1978-5/1978 |
Missouri Pacific | 3216-3251 | 776099-1 thru 776099-36 | 8/1978-9/1978 |
Missouri Pacific | 3252-3265 | 777100-1 thru 777100-14 | 8/1978 |
St Louis-San Francisco Railway (Frisco) | 950-957 | 776109-1 thru 776109-8 | 7/1978 |
Kennecott Copper Corporation | 101-107 | 776129-1/7 11/78 | 11/78 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 607-610 | 776133-1 thru 776133-4 | 10/1978 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 7856-7878 | 786001-1 thru 786001-13 | 9/1978-10/1978 |
Kansas City Southern | 683-684 | 786136-1, 786136-2 | 6/1978 |
Kansas City Southern | 685-686 | 786137-1, 786137-2 | 6/1978 |
Conrail | 6441-6482 | 786148-1 thru 786148-42 | 9/1978-11/1978 |
Santa Fe | 5200-5213 | 786153-1 thru 786153-14 | 10/1978 |
Union Pacific | 3489-3498 | 786163-1 thru 786163-10 | 12/1978 |
Burlington Northern | 7075-7125 | 786166-1 thru 786166-51 | 10/1978-12/1978 |
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) | 8000-8033 | 786167-1 thru 786167-34 | 3/1979-4/1979 |
Union Pacific | 3499-3573 | 786170-1 thru 786170-75 | 1/1979-3/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 7126-7160 | 786173-1 thru 786173-35 | 1/1979-2/1979 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 7868-7888 | 786173-36 thru 786173-55 | 3/1979-4/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 7161-7166 | 786173-56 thru 786173-61 | 4/1979 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 7889-7923 | 786173-62 thru 786173-96 | 4/1979-7/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 8030 | 786173-97 | 7/1979 |
Missouri Pacific | 3266-3291 | 786178-1 thru 786178-26 | 5/1979 |
Missouri Pacific | 6020-6049 | 786181-1 thru 786181-30 | 6/1979 |
Missouri Pacific | 3292-3301 | 786182-1 thru 786182-10 | 7/1979 |
Southern | 3303-3312 | 786184-1 thru 786184-10 | 2/1979-3/1979 |
Conrail | 6483-6524 | 786193-1 thru 786193-42 | 7/1979-10/1979 |
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) | 8040-8066 | 786208-1 thru 786208-27 | 7/1979-9/1979 |
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) | 8034-8039 | 786209-1 thru 786209-6 | 8/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 8031-8073 | 786216-1 thru 786216-43 | 8/1979-12/1979 |
Union Pacific | 3574-3583, 8075-8099 | 786218-1 thru 786218-35 | 7/1979-8/1979 |
Santa Fe | 5071-5108 | 786219-1 thru 786219-38 | 9/1979-10/1979 |
Santa Fe | 5110-5124 (Evens) | 786222-1 thru 786222-8 | 10/1979 |
Santa Fe | 5109-5123 (Odds) | 786223-1 thru 786223-8 | 11/1979 |
Santa Fe | 5058-5070 | 786225-1 thru 786225-13 | 4/1979-5/1979 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 611-618 | 786228-1 thru 786228-8 | 9/1979 |
Southern | 3313-3328 | 786242-1 thru 786242-16 | 5/1979-6/1979 |
Oneida & Western (Shamrock Coal Company) | 9950-9957 | 786246-1 thru 786246-8 | 9/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 7236-7291 | 786252-1 thru 786252-56 | 1/1980-4/1980 |
Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) | 7924-7940 | 786252-57 thru 786252-73 | 4/1980-5/1980 |
Burlington Northern | 8090-8181 | 786256-1 thru 786256-92 | 5/1980-7/1980 |
Kansas City Southern | 687-688 | 786258-1, 786258-2 | 6/1980 |
Kansas City Southern | 689-690 | 786259-1, 786259-2 | 6/1980 |
Kansas City Southern | 691-692 | 786260-1, 786260-2 | 6/1980 |
Union Pacific | 3609-3658 | 786263-1 thru 786263-50 | 9/1979-12/1979 |
Louisville & Nashville | 8116-8126 | 786268-1 thru 786268-11 | 8/1980 |
Missouri Pacific | 3312-3321 | 786269-1 thru 786269-10 | 4/1980 |
Missouri Pacific | 6050-6053 | 786274-1 thru 786274-4 | 6/1979 |
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) | 8067-8086 | 786287-1 thru 786287-20 | 10/1979-11/1979 |
Union Pacific | 3659-3768 | 796297-1 thru 796297-110 | 1/1980-3/1980 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 619-628 | 796305-1 thru 796305-10 | 7/1980-8/1980 |
Soo Line | 6600-6601 | 797307-1, 797307-2 | 12/1979 |
Missouri Pacific | 3302-3311 | 796308-1 thru 796308-10 | 12/1979 |
Missouri Pacific | 6054-6073 | 796311-1 thru 796311-20 | 4/1980 |
Soo Line | 6602-6605 | 796327-1 thru 796327-4 | 4/1980 |
Soo Line | 6606-6613 | 797328-1 thru 797328-8 | 4/1980-5/1980 |
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) | 8095-8115 | 796329-1 thru 796329-21 | 5/1980-6/1980 |
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) | 8087-8094 | 796334-1 thru 796334-8 | 5/1980-6/1980 |
Clinchfield (Family Lines) | 8127-8129 | 796335-1 thru 796335-3 | 8/1980 |
Union Pacific | 3769-3804 | 796345-1 thru 796345-36 | 10/1980-11/1980 |
Norfolk & Western | 6189-6207 | 796353-1 thru 796353-19 | 12/1980 |
Santa Fe | 5141-5169 | 796386-1 thru 796386-29 | 9/1980-10/1980 |
Soo Line | 6614-6616 | 797393-1 thru 797393-3 | 3/1981 |
Santa Fe | 5126-5140 (Evens) | 796395-1 thru 796395-8 | 11/1980 |
Santa Fe | 5125-5139 (Odds) | 796396-1 thru 796396-8 | 11/1980-12/1980 |
Seaboard Coast Line (Family Lines) | 8130 | 807009-1 | 8/1980 |
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) | 629-636 | 806049-1 thru 806049-8 | 9/1981 |
Clinchfield (Family Lines) | 8131 | 816009-1 | 9/1981 |
Louisville & Nashville (Family Lines) | 8133-8162 | 816010-1 thru 816010-30 | 9/1981-10/1981 |
Clinchfield (Family Lines) | 8132 | 817012-1 | 9/1981 |
Santa Fe | 5170-5192 | 816016-1 thru 816016-23 | 10/1981-12/1981 |
Soo Line | 6617 | 827034-1 | 4/1983 |
Soo Line | 6618-6623 | 837082-1 thru 837082-6 | 7/1984 |
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Burlington Northern | 7049-7053 | 776083-1 thru 776083-5 | 3/1978-4/1978 |
Union Pacific | 3805-3808 | 806053-1 thru 806053-4 | 11/1980 |
SD40
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Completion Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Central Railway of Brazil | 3701-3704 (SD40M) | 32228-32231 | 710681-710684 | 4/1967 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8503-8521 | 33385-33403 | 710942-710960) | 5/1968-6/1968 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8500-8502 | 33895-33897 | 711084-711086 | 6/1968 |
Boke Project (Republic of Guinea) | 101-106 | 37894-37899 | 712077-712082 | 8/1972 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8536-8575 | 38893-38932 | 712205-712244 | 11/1971-12/1971 |
SD40-2
Owner | Road Number(s) | Serial Number(s) | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Canadian Pacific (Canada) | 5629-5658 (built by GMDD on order C358) | 72657-1 thru 72657-30 | 11/1972-12/1972 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8700-8709 | 712426-712435 | 9/1972 |
Southeastern United Railways (Mexico) | 601-604 | 712562-712565 | 11/1972 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8710-8715 | 712607-712612 | 12/1972 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8716-8755 | 712852-712891 | 11/1973-12/1973 |
Boke Project (Guinea) | 107 | 713406 | 10/1974 |
Boke Project (Guinea) | 108-109 | 713650-713651 | 4/1975 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8756-8767 | 756108-1 thru 756108-12 | 12/1975 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8768-8777 | 798047-1 thru 798047-10 | 2/1980 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8778-8798 | 798077-1 thru 798077-21 | 8/1980-9/1980 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 13001-13004 | 858098-1 thru 858098-4 | 2/1986 |
SDL40-2
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|
Mauritania National Railway | CC101-CC106 | 798080-1 thru 798080-6 | 10/1981 |
Mauritania National Railway | CC107-CC110 | 868153-1 thru 868153-4 | 2/1988 |
Mauritania National Railway | CC111-CC116 | 908738-1 thru 908738-6 | 8/1993-9/1993 |
Mauritania National Railway | CC117-CC121 | 958632-1 thru 958632-5 | 1/1997 |
SDP40
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Numbers | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8522-8531 | 33371-33380 | 710917-710926 | 5/1968 |
Ferrocarril Nacional de México | 8532-8535 | 36156-36159 | 711392-711395 | 5/1970 |
SD40-2
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Pacific | 5565-5588 | A2564-A2587 | C344 | 2/1972-3/1972 |
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador | 221-240 | A2613-A2632 | C347 | 3/1972-4/1972 |
Canadian Pacific | 5589-5628 | A2633-A2672 | C349 | 5/1972-7/1972 |
Ontario Northland | 1730-1734 | A2844-A2848 | C355 | 3/1973 |
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador | 241-260 | A2849-A2868 | C356 | 3/1973-4/1973 |
Algoma Central | 183-185 | A2869-A2871 | C357 | 8/1973-9/1973 |
Canadian Pacific | 5659-5674 | A2872-A2887 | C359 | 4/1973-6/1973 |
Ontario Northland | 1735-1737 | A2942-A2944 | C362 | 1/1974 |
Canadian Pacific | 5806-5815 | A2945-A2954 | C363 | 1/1974-2/1974 |
Algoma Central | 186-188 | A2955-A2957 | C357 | 9/1973-10/1973 |
Canadian Pacific | 5816-5835 | A2958-A2977 | C364 | 2/1974-3/1974 |
Canadian Pacific | 5800-5805, 5836, 5675-5717 | A3113-A3162 | C374 | 11/1974-2/1975 |
Quebec, North Shore & Labrador | 261-264 | A3310-A3313 | C381 | 5/1975 |
Canadian Pacific | 5718-5757 | A3314-A3353 | C383 | 9/1975-11/1975 |
Canadian Pacific | 5758-5777 | A3463-A3482 | C397 | 1/1976-2/1976 |
Canadian Pacific | 5837-5859, 5778 | A3501-A3524 | C404 | 10/1977-2/1978 |
Canadian Pacific | 5779-5784 | A3525-A3530 | C405 | 2/1978-3/1978 |
Canadian Pacific | 5785-5789, 5860-5864 | A3531-A3540 | C405 | 6/1978-7/1978 |
Canadian Pacific | 5790-5799, 5900-5914 | A3657-A3681 | C413 | 11/1978-1/1979 |
Canadian Pacific | 5915-5949 | A3808-A3842 | C418 | 10/1979-11/1979 |
British Columbia | 751-762 | A3945-A3956 | C429 | 9/1980 |
Canadian Pacific | 5950-6024 | A3957-A4031 | C430 | 10/1980-3/1981 |
Canadian Pacific | 5560 | A4062 | C430 | 3/1981 |
Canadian Pacific | 6025-6054 | A4288-A4317 | C444 | 12/1982-8/1983 |
Canadian Pacific | 5584, 5693 | A4338-A4339 | C444 | 9/1983 |
Canadian Pacific | 5865-5879, 6055-6069, 5583 | A4429-A4459 | C454 | 10/1984-1/1985 |
British Columbia | 763-767 | A4497-A4501 | C457 | 7/1985 |
SD40-2W
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian National | 5241-5261 | A3268-A3288 | C378 | 5/1975-6/1975 |
Canadian National | 5262-5278 | A3289-A3305 | C379 | 7/1975 |
Canadian National | 5279-5293 | A3373-A3387 | C389 | 1/1976 |
Canadian National | 5294-5313 | A3546-A3565 | C407 | 7/1978-10/1978 |
Canadian National | 5314-5323 | A3843-A3852 | C424 | 12/1979 |
Canadian National | 5324-5353 | A3875-A3904 | C426 | 4/1980-5/1980 |
Canadian National | 5354-5363 | A4032-A4041 | C431 | 12/1980 |
SD40-2F
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Canadian Pacific | 9000-9024 | A4806-A4830 | C469 | 11/1988-12/1988 |
SD40
Total Built = 10
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México | 8576-8585 | A2603-A2612 | C346 | 2/1972 |
SD40-2
Total Built = 85
Owner | Road Numbers | Serial Numbers | Order Number | Completion Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burlington Northern | 8074-8089, 7167-7205 | A3753-A3807 | C422 | 7/1979-9/1979 |
Burlington Northern | 7206-7235 | A3915-A3944 | C423 | 5/1980-7/1980 |
Both of these locomotives were purchased only by the Canadian lines, the former for the Canadian National (123, numbered 5241-5363) and the latter for Canadian Pacific (25, numbered 9000-9024).
All were built by the General Motors Diesel division in London, Ontario. All other variants of SD40s you may run across are rebuilds that were not factory-direct designs (such as the SD40-3 that features upgraded electronics).
While one day the SD40s will slowly begin to disappear I think one can safely say that they will be around for years to come so just keep an eye out and you can routinely spot one in active service one Class Is, regionals and short lines.
Sep 21, 23 08:31 PM
Sep 21, 23 07:27 PM
Sep 21, 23 06:41 PM
Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource on the study of steam locomotives.
It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website.
It is quite staggering and a must visit!