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EMD SD40
Southern Pacific 7342, an SD40R, in 1980
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GMElectro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Diesel (GMD) Model SD40 Build date January 1966 – August 1972 Total produced 1,268
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)standard gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), Brazil Driver dia. 40 in (1,016 mm) diameter Length 65 ft 8 in (20.02 m) over thecoupler pulling faces;65 feet9+1⁄2 inches (20.053 m) on some units starting early 1968. Width 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m) Height 15 ft5+1⁄4 in (4.71 m) Loco weight 360,000 lb (160 t) Fuel capacity 3,200 US gal (12,000 L; 2,700 imp gal) Lubricant cap. 243 US gal (920 L; 202 imp gal) Coolant cap. 295 US gal (1,120 L; 246 imp gal) Sandbox cap. 56 cu ft (1.6 m3) Prime mover EMD16-645E3 Engine type V16diesel Aspiration turbocharged Alternator main : AR-10 auxiliary : D14 Traction motors D-77 Cylinders 16 Loco brake Independent air optional:dynamic brakes Train brakes Air, schedule 26-L
Performance figures Maximum speed 83 mph (134 km/h) Power output 3,000 hp (2,240 kW)
Career Locale North America South America Africa

TheEMD SD40 is a model of 6-axlediesel-electric locomotive built byGeneral 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, theSD40-2.

Like its predecessor in EMD's catalog, theSD35, the SD40 is a high-horsepower, six-axle freight locomotive. The SD40 is a member of EMD's long-runningSpecialDuty 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 new645 diesel engine. These included six-axle modelsSD38, SD40,SDP40 andSD45. All shared standardized components, including the frame,cab,generator,trucks,traction motors, andair brakes. The primary difference was the power output: SD38 = 2,000 hp (1,490 kW) from a non-turbochargedV16, SD40 = 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) from a turbochargedV16, and SD45 = 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) from a turbochargedV20.

856 examples of this locomotive model were built forAmerican railroads, 330 were built forCanadian railroads, 72 were built forMexican railroads, 6 were built for theGuinea-Boke Project, and 4 SD40Ms riding on5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) gauge trucks were exported to Brazil. They were manufactured atMcCook, Illinois.

Built by GMD atLondon, Ontario

Export SD40's Built by EMD atMcCook, Illinois or GMD atLondon, Ontario

Phases are as listed by Robert Sarberenyi.^{[citation needed]}

The very first test bed SD40, EMD 434, constructed on anSD35 frame in July 1964 was in active service until retired byCanadian National Railway in March 2009 and donated to theMonticello Railway Museum in July 2009, albeit having been upgraded to an "SD40-2R", asIllinois Central 6071.

18 customized SD40s were built for theIllinois Central Railroad as modelSD40A, using the longerSDP45 frame, which allowed for a larger 5,000 gallon fuel tank.

Versions of the SD40 modified for theAustralian loading gauge were sold toWAGR andVictorian Railways as theirL andC classes respectively.

The SD40 was succeeded by an upgradedDash 2 version called theSD40-2.

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 anSD40-3. 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.

TheSD40R is a rebuilt of all theSouthern Pacific's SD40 between 1980 and 1981.^[1]

TheSD40M-2 was a rebuild done by Morrison Knudsen for two railroads, the Southern Pacific, using 97 SD45s, 30 SD40s and 6SDP45s,^[2] and the Canadian Pacific, using another three SD40s and seven SD45s.^[3][4]

TheSD40-2XR designates 15 SD40 and a SDP40 rebuilt to Dash-2 standards forMontana Rail Link.^{[5][better source needed][6]}

TheSD40E is anSD50 rebuilt by theNorfolk Southern Railway and derated to 3000 HP (equivalent to anSD40-2).

• Canadian Pacific SD40 #5500 is preserved at the Revelstoke Railway Museum inRevelstoke, British Columbia. It was CP's first SD40, built in 1966 at GMD'sLondon plant and was retired in 2001. The unit was donated to the museum in 2007. Plans are being made to restore the locomotive to its original grey/tuscan red paint scheme, known as the Canadian Pacific "Script"^[7]

• Chesapeake and Ohio #7534 is preserved at the C&O Historical Society inClifton Forge, Virginia. While #7534 spends most of its time at the Historical Society's museum, it sees occasional revenue service on theBuckingham Branch Railroad.^[8]

• CSX #4621 is preserved at theWestern Maryland Scenic Railroad. It was donated by CSX in 2025. The WMSR plans to restore #4621 to its original appearance asWestern Maryland #7496.

• Louisville and Nashville #1230 is owned by theTennessee Valley Railroad Museum. The museum plans to use #1230 on the museum's for-profit subsidiary, theTyner Terminal Railroad, It will eventually be restored to one of its earlier L&N liveries.^[9]

• Norfolk Southern #1580 is preserved by the Roanoke Chapter NRHS. It was donated by Norfolk Southern in 2024. It is presently being restored to its N&W "Pevler Blue" paint scheme.^[10]

• Santa Fe #5007 is preserved at theWestern America Railroad Museum inBarstow, California. It's currently numbered GN 6307, after being donated to the museum byBNSF.^[11]

• Santa Fe #5008 ispreserved at theWalt Disney Hometown Museum inMarceline, Missouri.

• Southern #3170 is preserved at theTennessee Valley Railroad Museum inChattanooga, Tennessee. Originally restored by Norfolk Southern in 2015 and used in revenue service, it was donated to the TVRM in 2016.^[12]

• Western Maryland #7471 is owned by Precision Locomotive Leasing and was leased to various shortlines, including Western Maryland Scenic Railroad,Steam Railroading Institute inOwosso, Michigan, and Buckingham Branch Railroad.

• Illinois Central SD40-2R #6071, the first SD40 built, is preserved at theMonticello Railway Museum inMonticello, Illinois. It was donated in 2009. #6071 is preserved in near-operable condition, only needing new traction motors to operate.

• PRLX 3066 (ex-KCSM #1343) is owned by theCoastal Pines Technical College inWaycross, Georgia. It is used to train prospective student engineers and conductors.

• Union Pacific SD40R #7362 is owned by theNorth Platte Community College inNorth Platte, Nebraska. It is used on the NPCC's North Campus as a training locomotive.^[13]

• List of EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973).The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin:Kalmbach Publishing.ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
• 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

Wikimedia Commons has media related toEMD SD40 locomotives.

• Electro-Motive Division locomotives
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• Union Pacific Railroad locomotives

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