EMD SD40 series official thread (covers all variations)

[emd_SD_60]

Here's a highly detailed shot of a HT-C truck I took, on a UP SD50:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=269309

Notice the trucks on the C40-8's and C40-8W's look like a mix of the Flexicoil and HT-C's.

[Kevin B.]

Thanks for the info guys!

[trainiac]

Here's a highly detailed shot of a HT-C truck I took, on a UP SD50

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=269309

...And here's a detail shot I took of a Flexicoil on an IC SD40.

http://trainiax.net/photos/slr/2005/pho ... 6002-2.jpg

Another very minor difference between the two truck types is that the Flexicoil has even axle spacing, but the HTC does not. The HTC has the center axle offset 1 1/4" towards the outer axle. The uneven spacing can actually be seen if you look carefully, and it was carried on to the HTCR of the SD70 series.

Here's another Flexicoil-HTC comparison image:

http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/emd/sd402/trucks.jpg

A common misconception is that the 20-cylinder engine and long radiators of the SD45-2 are the reason the SD38-2/40-2/45-2 are 3 feet longer than the SD38/40/45. It's the longer HTC truck that's the reason for the length increase.

[NHRR WTBY]

Thanks for the info, mxdata. Are there any tale-tale visual differences?

There's actually a pretty good photo and description on the MS Train Simulator website. Look here: http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim ... sd40-2.asp

[Tadman]

In relation to the statement about "-2" frames being longer because of the truck size rather than prime mover length:
I know the "-2" models have a "porch" at either end to fill up the extra frame length. Did the SD45-2 have any longer hoods, thus filling up the "porch" at the ends of the frame?

[ELSDP45]

The SD-40/45 shared the same frame as did the SD-40-2/45-2. So while the -2 frame was designed with the HTC truck in mind it was also designed to fit the larger prime mover and radiators of the 45. You will notice on the 45's that you do not have the large "porches" as you do on the 40's due to the longer long hood (which also pushes the cab and nose forward).

[trainiac]

I know the "-2" models have a "porch" at either end to fill up the extra frame length. Did the SD45-2 have any longer hoods, thus filling up the "porch" at the ends of the frame?

The SD45-2 has a longer radiator compartment than the SD45, which has a longer radiator than the SD40. The 45 series also has a longer engine compartment than the SD40 and SD40-2--it still has 8 engine doors on each side, but the doors are wider. As a result, there are no "porches"--the platforms are the same length as a Geep of the same era.

So while the -2 frame was designed with the HTC truck in mind it was also designed to fit the larger prime mover and radiators of the 45

I think it was the other way around. If the 20-cylinder engine and larger radiators could fit nicely on the 65' 9 1/2" frame of the SD45, why lengthen it just to accomodate these features? I think EMD took advantage of the longer frame on the Dash-2 units to lengthen the radiators on the 45 series, thereby eliminating the need to have canted intakes. There was no need to have the radiators that long--the radiators on the SD50 through SD70 are taller but much shorter in length.

I've got drawings of all of the above posted at http://trainiax.net/mescaleloco.htm

[UPRR engineer]

During a break from rocking my fish pond yesterday, i saw a Mexican Federally motor on a Cat high wide special trailing one of our newer units.



Kinda looked like this one, but burned, buried in Mexico, re-railed and put back in service. Wonder what that blue card looks like.

"Im a Federally!!!... Yo tango el gato en los pantalones."

"Sir, i think you just told those men you have a large cat in your pants"

[GOLDEN-ARM]

"Wonder what that blue card looks. "
Probably not Green..........
Yo, ChiChi! Grab the Llelo!!!

[Steve F45]

The other day i watched a CSX q train roll down thru ridgefield park. It had 2 sd40-2's, but the leader had a much smaller body then the trailing engine. The leader had the huge front and rear platforms, while the trailer was kinda normal looking.

Why is this? Or was this a different engine altogether?

[Allen Hazen]

So, the trailing unit had a larger "body" (= the hoods and cab were longer), which filled upmuch of the end platforms. ONE thing that would meet this description is an SD45-2; SD-50 would also look like this (but wouldn't have the traditional dynamic brake blister at the top of the long hood about half way along).

Many railroads and leasers have re-built SD-45 and SD45-2 locomotives to SD40-2 standards (replacing the unpopular 20-cylinder engine with a 16-cylinder one). This produces a locomotive that would look like what you describe, but would from an operational standpoint be indistinguishable from an SD40-2 (and would be classified as an SD40-2 in the records of some railroads).

[Steve F45]

yes the leader had a body/nose almost like a gp40 body shoved ontop of a sd40 frame. I have seen this alot, where the front and rear platforms are very wide from the handrails to the actual body or nose.

[GOLDEN-ARM]

Coulda been a "Snoot", with the elongated nose, the platform is the same size, as any other offering, from EMD. Would still say SD-40-2 on the side of the cab, but without the elegant porches. Lots of radio gear stufffed inside that nose, for decoding and sending signals, for a primitive Distributed Power Control System. You need to record engine numbers, that will assist you in identifying units later............

[Steve F45]

GA, definitely wasn't a snoot nose. I need to see if i can find pictures of what i mean.

[Bryanjones]

The other day i watched a CSX q train roll down thru ridgefield park. It had 2 sd40-2's, but the leader had a much smaller body then the trailing engine. The leader had the huge front and rear platforms, while the trailer was kinda normal looking.

Why is this? Or was this a different engine altogether?

from your description it sounds like you saw an SD40 rebuilt to SD40-2 specs and classed as SD40-2. There are hundreds of these rebuilds running around. Anyhow, the SD40 (as well as SD38,SD39 and SD45) rides on a a shorter frame than a true SD40-2. The longer frame gives the SD40-2 the front and rear porches.

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY