EMD SD40T-2
Encyclopedia
An EMD SD40T-2 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. Power is provided by a 16-cylinder
EMD 645E3 diesel engine
capable of producing 3000 hp. The Southern Pacific's locomotive features a 4400 gallons (16,655.8 l) fuel tank and is 70 in 8 in (21.54 m) long. The Rio Grande's locomotive features a smaller 4000 gallons (15,141.6 l) fuel tank. A total of 312 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads between April 1974 and July 1980. This locomotive, along with the SD45T-2
, are popularly called tunnel motors, but are officially referred to as SD40-2
s with "cooling system modifications" (and the EMD manuals so state), because they were specifically designed to be more effective when operating in tunnels. The major differences between this locomotive and its non-tunnel motor cousin, the SD40-2
, are the radiator intakes and radiator fan grills located at the rear of the locomotive. The radiator air intakes in this model were located along the deck to allow more fresh, cooler air to enter and less hot exhaust fumes lingering around the tunnel's ceiling.
This locomotive model was purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad, its subsidiary Cotton Belt
, and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
. At one point Southern Pacific and then later the Union Pacific
owned every SD40T-2.
In 2005 most of these units were in service on the Union Pacific or various leasing companies. By 2008 none were left in service on the Union Pacific with SP or DRGW reporting marks. DRGW 5371 was the last one retired from active service in March 2008, and now resides at the Union Pacific Station in Ogden Utah. The Union Pacific still runs many of these units in its own livery.
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. Power is provided by a 16-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
EMD 645E3 diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
capable of producing 3000 hp. The Southern Pacific's locomotive features a 4400 gallons (16,655.8 l) fuel tank and is 70 in 8 in (21.54 m) long. The Rio Grande's locomotive features a smaller 4000 gallons (15,141.6 l) fuel tank. A total of 312 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads between April 1974 and July 1980. This locomotive, along with the SD45T-2
EMD SD45T-2
The EMD SD45T-2 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive conceived in early 1972 by EMD at the request of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Like the similar SD40T-2, this locomotive model is nicknamed a "tunnel motor". 247 of this model were built from February 1972 to June 1975. Out of the total, 84 units were...
, are popularly called tunnel motors, but are officially referred to as SD40-2
EMD SD40-2
The EMD SD40-2 is a C-C locomotive produced by EMD from 1972 to 1989.The SD40-2 was first introduced in January 1972 as the mid-range offering in EMD's six-axle "Dash-2" series, competing against the GE U30C and the MLW M630...
s with "cooling system modifications" (and the EMD manuals so state), because they were specifically designed to be more effective when operating in tunnels. The major differences between this locomotive and its non-tunnel motor cousin, the SD40-2
EMD SD40-2
The EMD SD40-2 is a C-C locomotive produced by EMD from 1972 to 1989.The SD40-2 was first introduced in January 1972 as the mid-range offering in EMD's six-axle "Dash-2" series, competing against the GE U30C and the MLW M630...
, are the radiator intakes and radiator fan grills located at the rear of the locomotive. The radiator air intakes in this model were located along the deck to allow more fresh, cooler air to enter and less hot exhaust fumes lingering around the tunnel's ceiling.
This locomotive model was purchased by the Southern Pacific Railroad, its subsidiary Cotton Belt
St. Louis Southwestern Railway
The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern...
, and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad
The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to Rio Grande or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, is a defunct U.S. railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870; however, served mainly as a transcontinental...
. At one point Southern Pacific and then later the Union Pacific
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
owned every SD40T-2.
In 2005 most of these units were in service on the Union Pacific or various leasing companies. By 2008 none were left in service on the Union Pacific with SP or DRGW reporting marks. DRGW 5371 was the last one retired from active service in March 2008, and now resides at the Union Pacific Station in Ogden Utah. The Union Pacific still runs many of these units in its own livery.
Original purchasers
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad , often shortened to Rio Grande or D&RGW, formerly the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, is a defunct U.S. railroad company. The railroad started as a narrow gauge line running south from Denver, Colorado in 1870; however, served mainly as a transcontinental... |
73 | 5341-5413 | All with 81 in. or 88 in. short noses. |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway St. Louis Southwestern Railway The St. Louis Southwestern Railway , known by its nickname of "The Cotton Belt Route" or simply Cotton Belt, was organized on January 15, 1891, although it had its origins in a series of short lines founded in Tyler, Texas, in 1870 that connected northeastern Texas to Arkansas and southeastern... ( Cotton Belt) |
10 | 8322-8326, 8372-8376 | "snoot noses" |
| Southern Pacific Railroad | 229 | 8230-8299, 8300-8321, 8327-8341 8350-8371, 8377-8391, 8489-8573 | 8300 series featured extended "snoot" noses for radio control equipment. |
Other owners
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo & Pittsburgh | 2 | 3301 & 3302 | Both still in KCS Grey |
| Ferrovia Central Atlantico (Brazil) | Rebuilt as metre gauge BB40T-2s | ||
| GECX | |||
| HLMX | |||
| Kansas City Southern | Rebuilt as SD40-3s | ||
| LTEX | |||
| MNA (Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad) | |||
| NREX | |||
| New York Susquahanna & Western | 4 | 3010, 3012, 3014, 3016 | All units wear Susquehanna "Yellow Jacket" paint. 3014 has "snoot" nose, all others have 88" noses. |
| OHCR | |||
| Respondek Rail Corporation (Squaw Creek Southern Railroad) | 1 | 8795 | Former UP 8795 & SP 8246 |
| R.J. Corman R.J. Corman Railroad Group R.J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC is a railroad holding company owned by Richard J. "Rick" Corman. Corman first established the company in 1973. It owns short-line railroad lines in seven states .-Lines Owned:R.J. Corman operates the following subsidiaries:*R.J... |
9 | 5353, 5361, 5372, 5409, 8307, 8336, 8569, 8718, 8861 | |
| Terminal Railroad Association (TRRA) | 3001,3005 | ||
| Union Pacific | Most if not all Retired by now | ||
| Wheeling & Lake Erie | 2 | 5391, 5413 | Still in D&RGW paint |