EMD SDP40
An SDP40 is a 6-axle passenger road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between June 1966 and May 1970.
Design
Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, the SDP35, the SDP40 is a high-horsepower freight locomotive with equipment for passenger train service.In 1966, EMD replaced all their production units with those powered by the new 645 diesel. They included six-axle models SD38, SD40 and SD45, in addition to SDP40. All had standard components including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The main difference was the power: SD38 = from a non-turbocharged V16, SD40 = from a turbocharged V16, and SD45 = from a turbocharged V20.
The SD40 and SDP40 were so similar that EMD published common operator's and service manuals to cover both.
At the time most passenger locomotives needed to provide steam to the passenger cars for heating, cooking, and sometimes cooling. They needed a higher gear ratio for faster running, the graduated-release feature on the air brakes, and type F tightlock couplers to keep equipment together in the event of a derailment. To fit a steam generator to the freight-only SD40, the designers had to move the machinery forward about on the frame, add a compartment behind the radiators for the boiler, and divide the fuel tank into fuel and water sections.
Appearance
Earlier passenger diesels, like EMD E8, ALCO PA, FM Erie-built and Baldwin Sharknose locomotives, were streamlined cab units designed for visual appeal and the appearance of speed. The SDP40 and the SDP35 & SDP45 instead have the same appearance as their freight counterparts. This look was contemporary to, and eventually overtaken by cowl units like the GE U30CG and EMD FP45, SDP40F and F40PH.Visually, the locomotive 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 longer than the SDP40.
Original Owners
purchased the first six SDP40s in 1966, to replace older E-units on their Western Star and smaller regional trains. Options included Vapor OK-4740 steam generators, water-transfer capability between units, 59:18 gearing for a top speed of, and Type-F couplers. 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's successor Burlington Northern Railroad converted the locomotives to freight service.One SDP40, former GN 323, was temporarily renumbered BN 1976 and painted in red, white and blue for the United States Bicentennial in 1976.
NdeM had ten units delivered in 1968 and another four in 1970. In 1998, the government of Mexico privatized the NdeM the locomotives were split between two successor companies. Eight went to TFM, which was later purchased by Kansas City Southern Railway and became KCSM. Of those eight, two were rebuilt to SD22ECOs, and the other six were scrapped. The remaining six went to Ferromex. Of those six, four were rebuilt to SDP40-2s and remain in service, the other two were scrapped.
Roster
| Order | Built | Serial | Phase | 1st No. | 2nd No. | 3rd No. | 4th No. | 5th No. | 6th No. | 7th No. | 8th No. | Disposition |
| Scrapped MK Rail July 1996 | ||||||||||||
| Rebuilt, Active | ||||||||||||
| Wrecked June 1984, scrapped | ||||||||||||
| Rebuilt, Active | ||||||||||||
| Stored Out-of-service - Reporting mark changed from BNSF to GN to make way for new deliveries | ||||||||||||
| Wrecked August 1979 and rebuilt. Retired June 2008, donated to the Minnesota Transportation Museum May 2009. Active | ||||||||||||
| Scrapped December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY | ||||||||||||
| Scrapped | ||||||||||||
| ' December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY | ||||||||||||
| ' December 2008 by Progress Rail in Mayfield, KY | ||||||||||||
| Scrapped | ||||||||||||
| ' to SD22ECO August 2009 | ||||||||||||
| ' to SD22ECO August 2009 | ||||||||||||
| Scrapped |
- Phases refer to SD40s in general.
Wrecks
Rebuilds
- ' 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.
- ' 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.
- ' 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.
- ' 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.
- ' was rebuilt by EMD in London, ON during August 2009 into an SD22ECO, keeping its external appearance.
- ' was rebuilt by EMD in London, Ontario during August 2009 into an SD22ECO, keeping its external appearance.
- '
- '
The rebuilt into SD22ECOs took a different approach: The bottom steps of the rear ladders were moved out to meet the requirement.