EMD SD39

EMD SD39
Boston & Maine 690 (ex Illinois Terminal 2301) with Train EDRJ (East Deerfield–Rotterdam Jct) about to enter Hoosac Tunnel
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Model SD39 Build date August 1968 – May 1970 Total produced 54
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Driver dia. 40 in (1,016 mm) Length 65 ft 9+1⁄2 in (20.05 m) Prime mover EMD 12-645E3 Engine type V12 diesel Aspiration turbocharged Cylinders 12 Loco brake Independent air; optional: dynamic brakes Train brakes Air, schedule 26-L
Performance figures Power output 2,300 hp (1,720 kW)
Career Locale United States

An SD39 is a 6-axle road switcher diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between August 1968 and May 1970. 54 were built for American railroads.

In 1966 EMD replaced all their old models with new ones having the new 645 diesel. These included six-axle models SD38, SD40, SDP40 and SD45; the SD39 was added in 1968. All shared standard components including the frame, cab, traction alternator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The difference was the power output: SD38 = 2,000 hp (1,490 kW) from a non-turbocharged V16, SD39 = 2,300 hp (1,720 kW) from a turbocharged V12, SD40 = 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) from a turbocharged V16, and SD45 = 3,600 hp (2,680 kW) from a turbocharged V20. The SD39 had the smallest prime mover and therefore had the most unused space above the frame, inside the hood between the main generator and electrical cabinet, and outside in large end "porches".

Variant

A variant was the SDL39, ordered by the Milwaukee Road. Shorter and lighter than a stock SD39, these minimized weight per axle.

Original owners

Purchasers of the SD39 include:

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	20	4000-4019
Illinois Terminal Railroad	6	2301-2306	4 went to Guilford Rail System, all have been scrapped.
Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway	2	40-41	#40 currently used by Progressive Rail
Southern Pacific Transportation Company	26	5300-5325
Total	54

Dash 2 rebuilds

On January 1, 1972, EMD debuted Dash 2 models. No SD39-2s were built as new units, but a number of SD39s were rebuilt to Dash 2 specifications.

Dispositions

Some of the SD39 model were subsequently resold to other operators including:

FEPASA 2360, an SD39-2M, in 2011.

• FEPASA - 14 SD39-2s numbered 2350-2363; the last seven, 2358-2363, rebuilt as SD39-2M by NRE.
• TRANSAP - 4 SD39-3M locomotives rebuilt by MPI de Mexico numbered D2301-D2304.

References

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.
• Trains Magazine Article December 1968, "A Market Oriented Catalog" by Wallace A. Abbey. The same article appears in Kalmbach's Our GM Scrapbook pages 82–83 subtitle, "Little diesel, big job".