EMD GP40

EMD GP40
A Guilford Rail System GP40 in Wells, Maine.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder U.S., General Motors, Electro-Motive Division (EMD) Canada, General Motors Diesel (GMD) Model GP40, GP40P, GP40TC Build date November 1965 – December 1971 Total produced 1,242
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Prime mover EMD 16-645E3 Engine type V16 diesel Cylinders 16
Performance figures Power output 3,000 hp (2.24 MW)
Career Locale North America

The EMD GP40 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between November 1965 and December 1971. It has an EMD 645E3 16-cylinder engine generating 3,000 hp (2,240 kW).

The GP40 is 3 feet (0.914 m) longer than its EMD 567D3A-engined predecessor, the GP35, and distinguished visually by its three 48-inch radiator fans at the rear of the long hood, while the GP35 has two large fans and a smaller one in between. It was built on a 55 ft (16.76 m) frame; the GP35 was built on a 52 ft (15.85 m) frame - as was the GP7, 9, 18, and 30. The difference in length can be seen in the GP40's ten handrail stanchions compared to the GP35's nine.^[1]

1,187 GP40s were built for 28 U.S. railroads; 16 were built for one Canadian carrier, Canadian National; and 18 were built for two Mexican carriers, Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico and Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México. 60 units were built with high-short-hoods and dual control stands for Norfolk & Western Railway. Two passenger versions, the GP40P and GP40TC, were also built, but on longer frames to accommodate steam generators and HEP equipment.

On January 1, 1972, the GP40 was discontinued and replaced by the GP40-2, which has a modular electrical system and a few minor exterior changes.

• 
  A Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad GP40 running long hood forward
• 
  A GP40 of Union Pacific Railroad heritage, now owned by Webb Asset Management
• 
  A GP40 owned by Helm Locomotive Leasing
• 
  A GP40 owned by Larry's Truck & Electric (LTEX)
• 
  Ex-Burlington Northern GP40M no. 3004 at Lincoln, Nebraska in 2011

GP40P

GP40TC

Union Pacific has rebuilt 129 of their GP40's and GP40-2's into GP40N's at their Jenk's shop. These units received a microprocessor control system to increase adhesion, control options, and extend the life of the locomotive.^[2][3]

The GP22ECO is a locomotive built from recycled GP40/GP40-2 parts. The frame, trucks, and carbody are refurbished, while the 16-645 engine is replaced with a new 8-710-ECO engine. The electrical system is replaced with a modern microprocessor-based system. Horsepower is reduced to 2,150 due to the smaller engine.

• Baltimore & Ohio #3684 is preserved at the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.^[4][5]

• Penn Central #3118 (ex-Conrail, ex-DRGW) was purchased by the Austin Steam Train Association in 2024. The locomotive is currently in its Horizon Rail livery and numbered 3134. The engine has also been updated with a microprocessor, making it a GP40-3.

• EMD GP40-based passenger locomotives
• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. ISBN 978-0-89024-026-7.

• Thompson, J. David. "EMD GP40 Original Owners". Retrieved January 29, 2007.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD GP40 locomotives.