EMD SD38-2

EMD SD38-2

EMD SD38-2 LLPX 2808 in February 2005
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Build date	1972 – 1979
Total production	83
AAR wheel arr.	C-C
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Driver size	40 in (1.02 m)
Wheelbase	43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) between bolsters; 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m) in each truck
Length	68 ft 10 in (20.98 m)
Width	10 ft 3.125 in (3.13 m) over the grabirons
Height	15 ft 7.25 in (4.75 m)
Total weight	368,000 lb (166,000 kg)
Fuel capacity	3,200 or 4,000 U.S. gallon (12,100 L or 15,100 L)
Prime mover	EMD 645E
Aspiration	Roots-blown
Cylinders	V16
Power output	2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
Locale	North America

An EMD SD38-2 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) beginning in 1972 until 1979. EMD built 83 of these medium road-switchers, which were used in both yard and mainline roles. Part of the EMD Dash 2 line, the SD38-2 was an upgraded SD38 with modular electronic control systems, HT-C trucks, and many other detail improvements. Power was provided by an EMD 645E 16-cylinder engine which could generate 2000 horsepower (1,500 kilowatts). These units were constructed with either 3200 or 4000 U.S. gallon (12,100 L or 15,100 L) fuel tanks and were available with or without dynamic brakes. It shared the same frame as the SD40-2 and SD45-2, which gives the SD38-2 a length of 68 ft 10 in (20.98 meters).

Additional specifications

Main generator:	AR10 alternator
Traction motors:	6 × D77/78 DC
Standard gearing:	62:15

Original owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
BC Hydro	3	382-384	To Southern Railway of British Columbia same numbers
Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad	13	870-879, 890-892	870, 872, 876, 879 and 890 to Union RR 50-54 to EJ&E 671-675, 873 to EJ&E 672, 877 to EJ&E 670, 891 to EJ&E 669, 892 to DM&IR 215
Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway	6	70-75	To Union Pacific Railroad as 2800-2805, to UPY 800-805
Chicago and North Western Railway	10	6650-6659	To Union Pacific as 2806-2815 to UPY 806-815
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway	5	209-213
Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway	13	656-668
Jari Railway	2	10-11	Export-Brazil
Louisville and Nashville Railroad	5	4500-4504	To Seaboard System Railroad 4500-4504 to CSX Transportation 2450-2454
McCloud River Railroad	1	39	To Union Pacific as 2824 to UPY 824 (yard service in Los Angeles)
Northern Alberta Rail	4	401-404	Built by GMDD, To Canadian National Railway as 5700-5703, renumbered 1650-1653
Orinoco Mining	5	1028-1032	Export-Venezuela
Reserve Mining	9	1237-1245	To GATX same numbers to LLPX 2801-2809; 2802, 2805, 2807 and 2809 to Iowa Interstate Railroad 150-155
St. Louis - San Francisco Railway	4	296-299	To Burlington Northern Railroad 6260-6263 to BNSF Railway same numbers
Southern Pacific Railroad	6	2971-2976	To Union Pacific as 2830-2835 to UPY 830-835
United States Steel	1	1	To Cyprus-Amax same number
Yankeetown Dock	3	20-22	22 to Cyprus-Amax same number

References

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
• GATX Rail Locomotive Group. SD38-2 specification page. Retrieved on June 23,2005.
• Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD SD38-2 Original Owners.