EMD GP40-2
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A pair of EMD GP40-2 coupled back-to-back for use in remote control switching operations - Tampa, Florida. | |||||||||||||
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The EMD GP40-2 is a 4-axle diesel road switcher locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division as part of its Dash 2 line between April 1972 and December 1986. The locomotive's power was provided by an EMD 645E3 16-cylinder engine which generated 3,000 horsepower (2.24 MW).
Production
Standard GP40-2 production totalled 861 units, with 817 built for U.S. railroads, and 44 for Mexican roads. In addition, three GP40P-2s, passenger versions of the GP40-2, were built for Southern Pacific in 1974, and 279 GP40-2L(W) and GP40-2(W) units, equipped with wide-nosed cabs, were built by General Motors Diesel (GMD), for Canadian National and GO Transit between 1974 and 1976. Of the CN units, 233 were built with a taller and lighter frame to allow for a larger fuel tank. These units were officially classified GP40-2L but are commonly referred to as GP40-2L(W). The balance of CN's fleet, 35 units, and the 11 unit GO Transit fleet, used standard frames and smaller fuel tanks; they are often referred to as GP40-2(W) but are classified as GP40-2. Total production of the GP40-2 and its variations totalled 1,143 units.
Although the GP40-2 was a sales success, it sold fewer units than the earlier GP40 and the contemporary GP38-2 and SD40-2 models. The popularity of high-horsepower 4-axle diesels began to decline with the GP40-2, with 6-axle models gaining in popularity for their superior low-speed lugging performance.
Performance
Like the SD40-2 the GP40-2 has a reputation for reliability, and many are still in use. Changes such as the modular electronics system improved reliability over the GP40. Their high power-per-axle rating suited them to high-speed service rather than low-speed drag freights.
With the usual 62:15 gearing (65-70 mph maximum) EMD rated the GP40-2 at 55,400 lb continuous tractive effort; for compatibility with other units, most (all?) had the PF21 module that reduced horsepower below 23 mph, bringing the minimum continuous speed down to 11 mph.
Spotting features
The GP40-2 car body retains the high "spartan" lines of other EMD locomotives of the same era, with a beveled nose and an angular, slant-roof cab. There are three large radiator fans at the rear of the hood and a single fan in the middle for the dynamic brakes (if equipped). The radiator intakes are smaller than those of the later GP50, and the walkways lack the end "porches" of the 6-axle SD40-2.[1]
The GP40-2 can be distinguished from the earlier GP40 by the oval-shaped water-level sight glass at the right rear of the long hood; bolted (rather than hinged) battery boxes ahead of the cab; lengthened walkway blower duct; and various minor cosmetic differences in the front air intake and rear hood doors.[2] A number of GP40-2s also came with the new Blomberg M-type trucks, with single-clasp brakes, rubber pads replacing the central leaf springs and a shock strut over each axle.
Phases
A number of minor changes were made to GP40-2s throughout their production run:
- Phase 1: 1972-1976—chickenwire radiator intakes, 81-inch short hood, older steps, bolted front battery boxes, bolted cab side panel
- Phase 2a: 1977-early 1979—corrugated radiator intakes, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) clean-cab modifications, which necessitated an 88" long low short hood, notched stepwells, new battery box hinges.
- Phase 2b: early 1979-late 1979—welded cab side panel
- Phase 2c: late 1979-1981—EMD "Q-fans" and exhaust silencer.
- Phase 3: 1984-1986—new large blower duct, hinged front battery boxes, straight frame profile
Original buyers
| Owner | Quantity | Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta and West Point Rail Road | 1 | 733 | to Seaboard System Railroad |
| Alaska Railroad | 10 | 3000, 3007–3015 | 3000 renumbered to 3006 |
| Baltimore and Ohio Railroad | 218 | 4100–4162, 1977, GM50, 4185–4256, 4287–4311, 4322–4351, 4422–4447 | Chessie System paint |
| Boston and Maine Railroad | 18 | 300–317 | |
| Chesapeake and Ohio Railway | 95 | 4165–4184, 4267–4281, 4372–4421 | Chessie System paint |
| Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico | 29 | 1008–1036 | |
| Conrail | 129 | 3275–3403 | To CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway, #3275-3279 ex-Reading Company |
| Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad | 37 | 3094–3130 | All to Union Pacific Railroad. |
| U.S. Department of Transportation | 1 | 003 | |
| Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad | 20 | 406–425 | to Grand Trunk Western Railroad 6406–6425. |
| Florida East Coast Railway | 24 | 411–434 | 433–434 were last built |
| Georgia Railroad | 2 | 755–756 | to Seaboard System Railroad |
| Kansas City Southern Railway | 4 | 796–799 | |
| Louisville and Nashville Railroad | 17 | 6600–6616 | Family Lines Paint, to Seaboard System Railroad |
| Reading Company | 5 | 3671–3675 | |
| Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad | 7 | 141–147 | to CSX |
| St. Louis – San Francisco Railway (“Frisco”) | 25 | 750–774 | to Burlington Northern 3040–3064 |
| St. Louis Southwestern Railway (“Cotton Belt”) | 56 | 7248–7273, 7628–7657 | |
| Seaboard Coast Line Railroad | 25 | 1636–1656. 6617–6621 | 6617–6621 Family Lines paint; all to Seaboard System Railroad |
| Ferrocarril Sonora-Baja California | 15 | 2104–2112, 2309–2314 | |
| Southern Pacific Transportation Company | 68 | 7240–7247, 7608–7627, 7658–7677, 7940–7959 | |
| Texas, Oklahoma and Eastern Railroad | 3 | D15–D16, D20 | |
| Western Maryland Railway | 35 | 4257–4261,4312–4321, 4352–4371 | Chessie System paint |
| Western Pacific Railroad | 15 | 3545–3559 | |
| Western Railway of Alabama | 1 | 708 | to Seaboard System Railroad |
Units built by General Motors Diesel, Canada
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian National Railway | 268 | CN 9400–9667, 9668–9677 | CN 9400–9632 are GP40-2L, 9633–9677 are GP40-2W. CN 9668–9677 are former GO Transit units purchased in 1991. |
| GO Transit | 11 | GO 700–710 | Ten to CN 9668–9677 in 1991. One (703) to Miami Tri-Rail, later sold to Aberdeen, Carolina & Western #703. |
| Total | 279 | ||
GP40P-2
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Pacific Transportation Company | 3 | 3197-3199 | |
| Total | 3 | ||
GP40M-2
The GP40M-2 is a loose designation, being used to cover both upgrades of pre-Dash 2 units to Dash 2 spec.
See also
References
- ↑ Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4., p. 67
- ↑ Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4., p. 61
- Foster, Gerald (1996). A Field Guide to Trains. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-395-70112-0.
- Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4.
- Kristopans, Andre. "GM Serial Number Webpage".
- Adel, Aaron. "Transit Toronto Webpage".
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD GP40-2 locomotives. |
- Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD GP40-2, GP40-2W, and GP40-2LW, GP40P-2 Original Owners
- CN GP40 Family
- GP40-2 order numbers
- EMD GP40-2 Proto Info: Conrail Cyclopedia