EMD SD40

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North American diesel-electric locomotive

title: "EMD SD40" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["electro-motive-division-locomotives", "c-c-locomotives", "diesel–electric-locomotives-of-the-united-states", "railway-locomotives-introduced-in-1966", "articles-which-contain-graphical-timelines", "freight-locomotives", "standard-gauge-locomotives-of-the-united-states", "standard-gauge-locomotives-of-canada", "standard-gauge-locomotives-of-mexico", "broad-gauge-locomotives-in-brazil", "diesel–electric-locomotives-of-canada", "diesel–electric-locomotives-of-mexico", "atchison,-topeka-and-santa-fe-railway-locomotives", "baltimore-and-ohio-locomotives", "canadian-national-railway-locomotives", "canadian-pacific-railway-locomotives", "chesapeake-and-ohio-locomotives", "chicago-and-north-western-railway-locomotives", "illinois-central-locomotives", "norfolk-and-western-railway-locomotives", "pennsylvania-railroad-locomotives", "soo-line-locomotives", "diesel-locomotives-of-southern-railway-(u.s.)", "southern-pacific-railroad-locomotives", "union-pacific-railroad-locomotives"] description: "North American diesel-electric locomotive" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMD_SD40" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary North American diesel-electric locomotive ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox locomotive"]

FieldValue
nameEMD SD40
powertypeDiesel-electric
gauge
, Brazil
imageSP 7342 in Oakland, CA in December 1980 (31185863985).jpg
captionSouthern Pacific 7342, an SD40R, in 1980
aarwheelsC-C
builderGM Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
General Motors Diesel (GMD)
buildmodelSD40
builddateJanuary 1966 – August 1972
primemoverEMD 16-645E3
enginetypeV16 diesel
cylindercount16
poweroutput3000 hp
alternatormain : AR-10
auxiliary : D14
tractionmotorsD-77
fuelcap3200 usgal
sandcap56 cuft
lubecap243 usgal
coolantcap295 usgal
totalproduction1,268
maxspeed83 mph
length65 ft
over the coupler pulling faces;
width10 ft
height15 ft
locoweight360000 lbs
driverdiameter40 in diameter
aspirationturbocharged
locobrakesIndependent air
optional: dynamic brakes
trainbrakesAir, schedule 26-L
localeNorth America
South America
Africa
::

| name = EMD SD40 | powertype = Diesel-electric | gauge = , Brazil | image = SP 7342 in Oakland, CA in December 1980 (31185863985).jpg | caption = Southern Pacific 7342, an SD40R, in 1980 | aarwheels = C-C | builder = GM Electro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Diesel (GMD) | serialnumber = | buildmodel = SD40 | builddate = January 1966 – August 1972 | primemover = EMD 16-645E3 | enginetype = V16 diesel | cylindercount = 16 | poweroutput = 3000 hp | alternator = main : AR-10 auxiliary : D14 | tractionmotors = D-77 | fuelcap = 3200 usgal | sandcap = 56 cuft | lubecap = 243 usgal | coolantcap = 295 usgal | totalproduction = 1,268 | maxspeed = 83 mph | length = 65 ft over the coupler pulling faces; 65 ft on some units starting early 1968. | width = 10 ft | height = 15 ft | locoweight = 360000 lbs | driverdiameter = 40 in diameter | aspiration = turbocharged | generator = | locobrakes = Independent air optional: dynamic brakes | trainbrakes = Air, schedule 26-L | locale = North America South America Africa

The EMD SD40 is a model of 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1966 and August 1972. 1,268 locomotives were built between 1966 and 1972. In 1972, an improved version with new electronics was developed and marketed as a new locomotive, the SD40-2.

Design

Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, the SD35, the SD40 is a high-horsepower, six-axle freight locomotive. The SD40 is a member of EMD's long-running Special Duty class of locomotives, which all are built with 6 axles.

In 1966, EMD updated its locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel engine. These included six-axle models SD38, SD40, SDP40 and SD45. All shared standardized components, including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The primary difference was the power output: SD38 = 2000 hp from a non-turbocharged V16, SD40 = 3000 hp from a turbocharged V16, and SD45 = 3600 hp from a turbocharged V20.

Original owners

856 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads, 330 were built for Canadian railroads, 72 were built for Mexican railroads, 6 were built for the Guinea-Boke Project, and 4 SD40Ms riding on gauge trucks were exported to Brazil. They were manufactured at McCook, Illinois. ::data[format=table]

BuiltSerialPhaseRailroadRoad numbersQuantityNotes
6/6631766Ia2ASAB5061No d/b
3/66-5/6632036-32055ATSF1700–1719201708/5008 preserved
10/71-11/715801-1 - 5801-25IIcBN6300-632425
5/6733161-33173IcB&O7482-749413Drop grabs on nose, 7482–7490 to CNJ
4/6934775-34778IIb_B&O7497-75004
8/66-9/6632092-32100Ia2CGW401-4099
1/66-2/6631263-31282Ia1CNW867-88620No d/b, 867 first SD40 built
4/6631760-31765Ia2CNW887-8926No d/b
9/6632314Ia2CNW8931No d/b
2/6732686-32688Ib2CNW894-8963No d/b
7/66-8/6631929-31948Ia2C&O7450-746920
5/6733154-33160IcC&O7475-74817Drop grabs on nose
4/6934779-34784IIb_C&O7501-75066
6/7036696-36705IIb2C&O7507-751610
7/7036746-36755IIb2C&O7517-752610
3/7137204-37213IIcC&O7527-753610
10/6733516-33519IIa2C&S875-8784To Burlington Northern Same numbers.
4/6833918-33926IIb1C&S879-8879To Burlington Northern Same numbers. 879 to BNSF.
9/6632141-32148Ia2CRR3000-30078
9/6834177IIb_CRR30081
9/6834742-34747IIb_CRR3009-30146
6/7137417-37422IIcCRR3015-30206
6/7137538-37541IIcCRR3021-30244
4/7036124-36129IIb2DE001-0066Numbers out of sequence
7/725817-1 - 5817-2IIIDE013-0142
7/725818-1 - 5818-3IIIDE015-0173
6/6631799Ia2GM101No d/b
2/6631007-31018Ia1GM&O901-91212
9/6632161-32169Ia2GM&O913-9219
8/6935184-35195IIb_GTW5900-591112No d/b
1/7035831-35839IIb2GTW5912-59209
9/7036887-36895IIb2GTW5921-59299No d/b
12/6733244-33249IIa2IC6000-60056No d/b
8/6934939-34951IIb_IC6006-601813SD40A: 70 ft frame,
5000 USgal fuel tank
1/7035685-35689IIb2IC6019-60235SD40A: 70 ft frame,
5000 USgal fuel tank
10/66-11/6632101-32114Ib1KCS600-61314Some equipped with Locotrol
8/6833958-33965IIb_KCS614-6218Some equipped with Locotrol
6/7035493-35498IIb2KCS622-6276Some equipped with Locotrol, numbers out of sequence
3/7135840-35847IIcKCS628-6358Some equipped with Locotrol
3/7138363IIcKCS6361
6/66-9/6632088-32091Ia2L&N1225–12284
4/6934758-34762IIb_L&N1229–12335
4/7035948-35952IIb2L&N1234–12385
8/70-9/7036809-36818IIb2L&N1239–124810
5/7138203-38212IIcL&N1249–125810
1/68-2/6833771-33784IIb1MP720-73314No d/b
2/6934504-34523IIb_MP734-75320No d/b
1/7035725-35740IIb2MP754-76916No d/b
3/71-4/7137543-37562IIcMP770-78920No d/b
3/67-4/6732968-32987Ib2MP700-71920No d/b
5/66-6/6631899-31928Ia2NW1580–160930High short hood
5/7135605-35619IIcNW1610–162415High short hood
12/70-1/7136896-36926IIb2PC6240-627031
1/71-2/7136997-37010IIb2PC6271-628414To Conrail same numbers; Various units wrecked and retired
2/66-3/6631285-31349Ia12,Ia2PRR6040-610465To Penn Central same numbers.
4/69-5/6934889-34898IIb_SOO736-74510No d/b
3/7036099-36102IIb2SOO746-7494No d/b
5/7137425-37431IIcSOO750-7567No d/b
4/7137355-37370IIcSOU3170-318516High short hood; To Norfolk Southern same numbers
12/71-1/727375-1 - 7375-15IIISOU3186-320015High short hood: To Norfolk Southern same numbers
1/66-5/6631491-31569Ia1,Ia2SP8400-847879Numbers out of sequence
4/68-6/6833671-33680IIb_SP8479-848810
10/66-12/6632400-32434Ib1UP3048-308235
4/6631414-31438Ia2UP3000-302425
4/6631575-31589Ia2UP3025-303915
8/71-9/7137639-37653IIcUP3083-309715
9/71-10/7137904-37928IIcUP3098-312225
8/6632134-32138Ia2WM7470-74745
11/6834104-34105IIb_WM7495-74962
7/6934967-34971IIb_WM7445-74495
::

Built by GMD at London, Ontario ::data[format=table]

BuiltSerialPhaseRailroadRoad numbersQuantityNotes
10/71A2561-A2563AC180-1823
9/67A2246-A2253CN5000-50078
10/67-12/68A2260-A2327CN5008-507568No d/b . 5062 destroyed in the 1986 Hinton train collision .
2/69-11/69A2335-A2369CN5076-511035No d/b . 5104 destroyed in the 1986 Hinton train collision .
11/69-12/69A2370-A2391CN5111-513222
12/69-4/71A2392-A2434CN5133-517543No d/b
4/71-11/71A2493-A2542CN5176-522550No d/b
11/71-12/71A2588-A2602CN5226-524015No d/b
7/66A2133-A2164Ia2CP5500-553132Nose brakewheel
12/66A2177-A2209CP5532-556433
7/68A2328-A2333QNSL200-2056
6/71A2543-A2557QNSL206-22015
::

Export SD40's Built by EMD at McCook, Illinois or GMD at London, Ontario ::data[format=table]

BuiltSerialPhaseRailroadRoad numbersQuantityNotes
4/6732228-32231RFFSA3701-37044Brazil, Broad gauge, model SD40M on a shortened 60 ft 10 in (18.55 m) frame
5/6833385-33403NdeM8503-852119
3/6833895-33897NdeM8500-85023
12/7138893-38932IIINdeM8536-857540
8/7237894-37899BOKE101-1066Companie de Bauxite du Guinea
1/72A2603-A2612NdeM8576-858510Low-nose headlight, bell between number boards
::

Phases are as listed by Robert Sarberenyi.

Derivatives and Experimental

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/EMD_SD40_KCSdeM_3029.jpg" caption="KCSM]] 3029 in Caltzonzin Station"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/GTWLocoNo.5945.jpg" caption="GTW/CN #5945, a former GMD-built CN SD40, rebuilt to SD40-3 standards."] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Mobil_Grain_Locomotive.jpg" caption="Last Mountain Railway SD40-3 at Aylesbury, Saskatchewan"] ::

The very first test bed SD40, EMD 434, constructed on an SD35 frame in July 1964 was in active service until retired by Canadian National Railway in March 2009 and donated to the Monticello Railway Museum in July 2009, albeit having been upgraded to an "SD40-2R", as Illinois Central 6071.

18 customized SD40s were built for the Illinois Central Railroad as model SD40A, using the longer SDP45 frame, which allowed for a larger 5,000 gallon fuel tank.

Versions of the SD40 modified for the Australian loading gauge were sold to WAGR and Victorian Railways as their L and C classes respectively.

The SD40 was succeeded by an upgraded Dash 2 version called the SD40-2.

SD40 rebuilds

After having been succeeded by the more modern SD40-2, a large number of SD40s have been upgraded with more modern equipment. The main difference between rebuilt SD40s and genuine SD40-2s is that the latter use a longer frame and have longer front and rear porches, while the rebuilt SD40s have a shorter frame.

A common product of rebuilding SD40s, and sometimes SD40-2s, is an SD40-3. The major addition denotes that the rebuilt unit or units as an SD40-3 is the addition of a micro-processor, and sometimes other modern components. The usual reasons for installing a micro-processor are improved traction control, and better fuel economy (via better injection control). Also, electronic control over braking systems (independent and automatic). This may include some SD39, SD45 and SD45-2 rebuilt to SD40-2 standards.

The SD40R is a rebuilt of all the Southern Pacific's SD40 between 1980 and 1981.

The SD40M-2 was a rebuild done by Morrison Knudsen for two railroads, the Southern Pacific, using 97 SD45s, 30 SD40s and 6 SDP45s, and the Canadian Pacific, using another three SD40s and seven SD45s.

The SD40-2XR designates 15 SD40 and a SDP40 rebuilt to Dash-2 standards for Montana Rail Link.

The SD40E is an SD50 rebuilt by the Norfolk Southern Railway and derated to 3000 HP (equivalent to an SD40-2).

SD40-series production timeline

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:30 Period = from:01/01/1964 till:01/01/1990 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal PlotArea = right:20 left:20 bottom:50 top:10 AlignBars = justify

Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7) id:line value:black id:bg value:white

BarData= bar:SD40xx bar:SD40 bar:SDP40 bar:SD40A bar:SD402 bar:SD40F bar:SD40T2 bar:SD40W bar:SD402S bar:SD40X

PlotData= width:20 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

bar:SD40 color:powderblue from:01/01/1966 till:08/31/1972 text:SD40 (Jan 1966 - Aug 1972, 1,268 units produced) bar:SDP40 color:powderblue from:06/01/1966 till:05/31/1970 text:SDP40 (June 1966 - May 1970, 20 units produced) bar:SD40A color:powderblue from:01/01/1969 till:01/01/1970 text:SD40A (1969 - 1970, 18 units produced) bar:SD402 color:powderblue from:01/01/1972 till:10/31/1989 text:SD40-2 (Jan 1972 - Oct 1989, 3,957 units produced) bar:SD40F color:powderblue from:06/01/1973 till:08/31/1974 text:SDP40F (June 1973 - Aug 1974, 150 units produced) bar:SD40T2 color:powderblue from:04/01/1974 till:07/31/1980 text:SD40T-2 (Apr 1974 - July 1980, 312 units produced) bar:SD40W color:powderblue from:05/01/1975 till:12/31/1980 text:SD40-2W (May 1975 - Dec 1980, 123 units produced) bar:SD402S color:powderblue from:04/01/1978 till:05/30/1978 text:SD40-2S (Apr 1978 - May 1978, 5 units produced; Nov 1980, 4 units produced) bar:SD40X color:powderblue from:06/01/1979 till:07/01/1979 text:SD40X (1979, 4 more units produced) bar:SD40xx color:powderblue from:01/01/1964 till: 01/01/1965 text:SD40X (1964-1965 9 units produced) ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:01/01/1964

TextData = fontsize:L textcolor:black pos:(330,25) text:"SD40-Series Production Timeline"

Preservation

SD40

Rebuilds

Crew Training Programs

References

  • Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD SD40, SD40A, and SDP40 Original Owners. Retrieved on December 19, 2009
  • Eck, H. C., The Modern Locomotive Handbook, 1977
  • Service Department (1966). SD40 - SDP40 Operator's Manual. La Grange, IL: Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corporation

References

  1. Richard.A.Percy. "Southern Pacific SD40R Info Page".
  2. Richard.A.Percy. "Southern Pacific SD40M-2 Info Page".
  3. "DRGW SD-45 Roster - RGMHS.ORG %".
  4. "DRGW.Net {{!}} D&RGW EMD SD45 Roster".
  5. "Athearn RTR MRL SD40-2XR". Trainorders.com Discussion.
  6. "Montana Rail Link".
  7. "Revelstoke Railway Museum WebsiteCPR Diesel SD 550".
  8. "CSX.com - SD40 #7534".
  9. Franz, Justin. (2024-06-20). "L&N SD40 Returns to Tennessee".
  10. "RailPictures.Net Photo: NS 1580 Norfolk Southern EMD SD40 at Chattanooga, Tennessee by Kerry Douglas".
  11. Sloan, Steve. (2021-04-14). "GN 6307 at Barstow".
  12. (2016-05-19). "Norfolk Southern donates Southern SD40 to TVRM". [[Trains Magazine]].
  13. "North Platte Community College".

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electro-motive-division-locomotivesc-c-locomotivesdiesel–electric-locomotives-of-the-united-statesrailway-locomotives-introduced-in-1966articles-which-contain-graphical-timelinesfreight-locomotivesstandard-gauge-locomotives-of-the-united-statesstandard-gauge-locomotives-of-canadastandard-gauge-locomotives-of-mexicobroad-gauge-locomotives-in-brazildiesel–electric-locomotives-of-canadadiesel–electric-locomotives-of-mexicoatchison,-topeka-and-santa-fe-railway-locomotivesbaltimore-and-ohio-locomotivescanadian-national-railway-locomotivescanadian-pacific-railway-locomotiveschesapeake-and-ohio-locomotiveschicago-and-north-western-railway-locomotivesillinois-central-locomotivesnorfolk-and-western-railway-locomotivespennsylvania-railroad-locomotivessoo-line-locomotivesdiesel-locomotives-of-southern-railway-(u.s.)southern-pacific-railroad-locomotivesunion-pacific-railroad-locomotives