EMD SDP40F

EMD SDP40F

An EMD SDP40F while in Amtrak service. Note that these locomotives were equipped with steam generators, used to power heating and cooling equipment on passenger trains up to the 1970s, prior to the use of Head End Power.
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model	SDP40F
Build date	June 1973 – August 1974
Total production	150
AAR wheel arr.	C-C
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Length	72 ft 4 in (22 m)
Width	10 ft 4 in (3.1 m)
Prime mover	EMD 645E3
Cylinders	V16
Top speed	95 mph (152.9 km/h)
Power output	3,000 hp (2.2 MW)
Locomotive brakes	straight air, dynamic
Train brakes	air
Locale	United States

An EMD SDP40F is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division beginning in 1973 for Amtrak service. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 16-cylinder diesel prime mover, which generated 3000 tractive horsepower (2.2 MW).

These locomotives were Amtrak's first series of locomotives built new. Eventually, Amtrak acquired 150 of the model over a two year period. While based on a standard freight locomotive design, the ubiquitous SD40-2, and mechanically reliable, several derailments occurred in which the "hollow bolster" truck design became suspect as a probable cause. Substantial testing by both Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration, never definitively discovered the source of the continued derailments. These issues ultimately led Amtrak management to adopt the F40PH as their standard model, based on the proven design of the GP40-2 freight locomotive. The railroad worked out a deal with EMD to trade-in the SDP40Fs in on the F40PH over a period of years. A limited number of SDP40Fs were fitted with HEP gear.

As the F40PHs increased in number on the Amtrak system, the SDP40F was gradually withdrawn from service. The last revenue run of an SDP40F under Amtrak took place in 1985. In an unusual move for modern railroading, 18 were traded by Amtrak to the Santa Fe Railroad in 1984 to be reconditioned for use as freight locomotives, in exchange for 43 smaller locomotives for use by Amtrak as yard switchers. Both railroads benefited from the exchange. The units Santa Fe acquired had a reliable service record. The last run of an SDP40F took place in 2001; the units were all officially retired in 2002. Most were scrapped between 2002 and 2004.

One locomotive of the type, former Amtrak 644, has been preserved and is located in the Portland,OR area and is currently in Service on the Portland & Western Railroad.

References

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
• Santa Fe SDF40-2s. Santa Fe Subjects. Retrieved on May 1, 2006.

External links

• Amtrak Photo Archives