EMD SDP40F
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As the F40PHs increased in number on the Amtrak system, the SDP40F was gradually withdrawn from service.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 locomotive 644, has been preserved.
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Santa Fe Subjects SDP40F page. Accessed May 1, 2006.
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Amtrak Photo Archives
