EMD SD39
Encyclopedia
An EMD SD39 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between August 1968 and May 1970. 54 examples of this locomotive model were built for American
railroads.
In 1966, EMD updated their locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645
diesel. These included six-axle models SD38
, SD40
, SDP40
and SD45
.The SD39 was added to the EMD catalog in 1968. 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
, SD39 = 2300 hp from a turbocharged V12
, SD40 = 3000 hp from a turbocharged V16
, and SD45 = 3600 hp from a turbocharged V20
. Of these common-platform models, the SD39 had the smallest prime mover and therefore had the most unused space above the frame, inside between the main generator and electrical cabinet, and outside in the form of large end "porches".
On January 1 1972, EMD debuted updated Dash-2
models. No orders were ever placed for an SD39-2.
A variant was the SDL39
, special-ordered by the Milwaukee Road. Considerably shorter than a stock SD39, these were designed to minimize weight per axle.
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between August 1968 and May 1970. 54 examples of this locomotive model were built for American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
railroads.
In 1966, EMD updated their locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
diesel. These included six-axle models SD38
EMD SD38
An EMD SD38 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between May 1967 and October 1971. Power was provided by an EMD 645 16-cylinder engine which generated 2000 horsepower . As compared to the EMD 645E3 engine that was turbo-charged and produced 3000HP from the...
, SD40
EMD SD40
The EMD SD40 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between January 1966 and August 1972.-Design:Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, the SD35, the SD40 is a high-horsepower, six-motor freight locomotive....
, SDP40
EMD SDP40
An EMD SDP40 is a 6-axle passenger diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between June 1966 and May 1970. Although few were produced, they enjoyed long service lives.-Design:...
and SD45
EMD SD45
The EMD SD45 is a six-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between December, 1965, and December, 1971. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 twenty-cylinder engine which generated 3,600 HP. This locomotive shared the same common frame with the EMD SD38, EMD SD39, EMD...
.The SD39 was added to the EMD catalog in 1968. All shared standardized components, including the frame, cab
Cab (locomotive)
The cab, crew compartment or driver's compartment of a locomotive is the part of the locomotive housing the train driver or engineer, the fireman or driver's assistant , and the controls necessary for the locomotive's operation....
, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The primary difference was the power output: SD38 = 2000 hp from a non-turbocharged V16
V16 engine
A V16 engine is a V engine with 16 cylinders. Engines of this number of cylinders are uncommon in automotive use.A V16 engine is perfectly balanced regardless of the V angle without requiring counter-rotating balancing shafts which are necessary to balance Straight-4 and odd number of cylinder...
, SD39 = 2300 hp from a turbocharged V12
V12 engine
A V12 engine is a V engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders, usually but not always at a 60° angle to each other, with all 12 pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, SD40 = 3000 hp from a turbocharged V16
V16 engine
A V16 engine is a V engine with 16 cylinders. Engines of this number of cylinders are uncommon in automotive use.A V16 engine is perfectly balanced regardless of the V angle without requiring counter-rotating balancing shafts which are necessary to balance Straight-4 and odd number of cylinder...
, and SD45 = 3600 hp from a turbocharged V20
V20 engine
A V20 engine is a V engine with 20 cylinders.Engines of this number of cylinders are not common in automobiles, but this configuration is used in some large diesel engines....
. Of these common-platform models, the SD39 had the smallest prime mover and therefore had the most unused space above the frame, inside between the main generator and electrical cabinet, and outside in the form of large end "porches".
On January 1 1972, EMD debuted updated Dash-2
EMD Dash 2
On January 1, 1972, General Motors' Electro-Motive Division introduced its new Dash 2 line of diesel-electric locomotives. All designations of these new models were those of the former models with "-2" added...
models. No orders were ever placed for an SD39-2.
A variant was the SDL39
EMD SDL39
An EMD SDL39 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between March 1969 and November 1972. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 12-cylinder engine which generated 2300 horsepower . All 10 examples of this locomotive model were built for Milwaukee Road, who wanted...
, special-ordered by the Milwaukee Road. Considerably shorter than a stock SD39, these were designed to minimize weight per axle.
Original owners
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway , often abbreviated as Santa Fe, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The company was first chartered in February 1859... |
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| Illinois Terminal Railroad Illinois Terminal Railroad The Illinois Terminal Railroad, known as the Illinois Traction System until 1937, was a heavy duty interurban electric railroad with extensive passenger and freight business in central and southern Illinois from 1896 to 1982... |
Pan Am Railways Pan Am Railways Pan Am Railways, Inc. , known as Guilford Rail System before March 2006, is a holding company that owns and operates Class II regional railroads covering northern New England from Mattawamkeag, Maine to Rotterdam Junction, New York... currently operates SD39 BM 690 Ex 2301 |
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| Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway The Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway was an long American short line railroad connecting Minneapolis and Northfield, Minnesota. It was incorporated in 1918 to take over the trackage of the former Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company, also known as... |
#40 currently used by Progressive Rail Progressive Rail Progressive Rail Inc. , headquartered in Lakeville, Minnesota , is a short line railroad operating several branches including the Airlake Terminal Railway. Not all segments physically connect... |
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| Southern Pacific Transportation Company | |||
| Total | 54 |