EMD GP40-2

EMD GP40-2
A pair of EMD GP40-2 coupled back-to-back for use in remote control switching operations - Tampa, Florida.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division General Motors Diesel (GMD) Model GP40-2 Build date 1972 - 1986 Total produced 1,143
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 40 in (1.016 m) Wheelbase 9 ft (2.74 m) Length 59 ft 2 in (18.03 m) Width 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) Height 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m) Loco weight 250,000 lb (113,398 kg) Prime mover EMD 645E3 Aspiration Turbocharged Cylinders 16
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power output 3,000 hp (2.24 MW) Tractive effort 61,000 lbf (27,669 kgf)

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 is provided by an EMD 645E3 16-cylinder engine which generates 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 railroads. 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.

Original buyers

Owner	Quantity	Numbers	Notes
Atlanta and West Point Rail Road	1	733	to Seaboard System Railroad to CSX
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 to CSX
Boston and Maine Railroad	18	300–317
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway	95	4165–4184, 4267–4281, 4372–4421	Chessie System paint to CSX
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 to CSX
Kansas City Southern Railway	4	796–799
Louisville and Nashville Railroad	17	6600–6616	Family Lines Paint, to Seaboard System Railroad to CSX
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 now CSX
Ferrocarril Sonora-Baja California	15	2104–2112, 2309–2314	2104-2112 have High short hoods w/steam generator for passenger service only GP40-2 built with high short hoods
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 to CSX
Western Pacific Railroad	15	3545–3559
Western Railway of Alabama	1	708	to Seaboard System Railroad to CSX
Total	861

Units built by General Motors Diesel, Canada

CN 9540, a GP40-2LW.

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

SP GP40P-2 #3197

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Southern Pacific Transportation Company	3	3197-3199	renumbered to 7600,7601 & 7602. 7601 and 7602 went to UP as 1373 & 1375. 7600 went to IHB as 4010
Total	3

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives

References

• 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, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
• Kristopans, Andre. "GM Serial Number Webpage". Archived from the original on 2013-02-22.
• Adel, Aaron. "Transit Toronto Webpage".

External links

• 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