EMD SD38-2

The EMD SD38-2 is a model of six-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) from 1972 to 1979. EMD built 90 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. The locomotive's power was provided by an EMD 16-645E 16-cylinder engine, which could generate 2,000 horsepower (1,500 kilowatts). These units were constructed with either 3,200 or 4,000 US gal (12,000 or 15,000 L; 2,700 or 3,300 imp gal) fuel tanks and were available with or without dynamic brakes. It shared the same 64-foot-8-inch (19.71 m) frame as the SD40-2 and SD45-2, which gives it a length over couplers of 68 feet 10 inches (20.98 m).

EMD SD38-2
LLPX 2808 in February 2005
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) General Motors Diesel, Canada Model SD38-2 Build date 1972–1979 Total produced 90
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge[a] Trucks 6-Wheel Wheel diameter 40 in (1.0 m) Minimum curve 57° Wheelbase 13 ft 7 in (4,140 mm) Pivot centres 43 ft 6 in (13,260 mm) between bolsters; Length 68 ft 10 in (20,980 mm) Width 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) over cab width Height 15 ft 7.5 in (4.763 m) over top cab Loco weight 368,000 lb (167,000 kg) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 3,200–4,000 US gal (12,000–15,000 L; 2,700–3,300 imp gal) Lubricant cap. 243 US gal (920 L; 202 imp gal) Coolant cap. 240 US gal (910 L; 200 imp gal) Sandbox cap. 56 cu ft (1,600 L) Prime mover EMD 16-645E RPM: ​  • RPM low idle 200  • RPM idle 315  • Maximum RPM 950 Engine type V16 Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots-blown Alternator Delco 14 or AR10E1-D14 Generator Main: GM - AR10E1-D14 Auxilary: Delco A8102 Traction motors 6 × D77/78 DC Cylinders 16 Cylinder size 8.5 in (220 mm) x 10 in (250 mm) Gear ratio 62:15 MU working Yes Loco brake Air, Dynamic Train brakes Westinghouse 26L Air Brake
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power output 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 90,000 lbf (41,000 kgf) @ 25%  • Continuous 82,100 lbf (37,200 kgf) @ 6.6 mph (10.6 km/h)
Career Locale North America, South America
[1]

Original owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
BC Hydro	3	382-384
Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad	13	870-879, 890-892
Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway	6	70-75
Chicago and North Western Transportation Company	10	6650-6659
Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway	5	209-213
Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway	13	656-668
Jari Railway [pt]	2	10-11	Export to Brazil, 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) gauge
Louisville and Nashville Railroad	5	4500-4504
McCloud River Railroad	1	39
Northern Alberta Railway	4	401-404	Built by GMDD
Orinoco Mining Company	5	1028–1032	Export, Venezuela
Reserve Mining	9	1237–1245
St. Louis–San Francisco Railway	4	296-299
Southern Pacific Transportation Company	6	2971–2976
United States Steel	1	1
Yankeetown Dock	3	20-22
Totals	90

Note

1. Except for two units built for the Jari Railway [pt] in Brazil, which were built to a 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) gauge

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives