EMD SDL39

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EMD SDL39

Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Model	SDL39
Build date	March 1969 – November 1972
Total production	10
AAR wheel arr.	C-C
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm)
Length	55 ft 2 in
Fuel capacity	1,200 US gallon
Prime mover	EMD 645E3
Cylinders	12
Power output	2,300 hp (1.7 MW)
Career	Milwaukee Road, Soo Line, Wisconsin Central
Number	MILW 581-590
Locale	upper midwest United States

An EMD SDL39 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between March 1969 and November 1972. Power was provided by an EMD 645E3 12-cylinder engine which generated 2300 horsepower (1.7 MW). All 10 examples of this locomotive model were built for Milwaukee Road, who wanted a lightweight road-switcher to replace their fleet of 1947-built ALCO RSC-2s. The unit was built on a short 55-foot, 2-inch frame with customized export-style trucks, barely tipping the scales at 250,000 pounds and managing a light-footed axle-loading of just 20.8 tons per axle.

These Milwaukee Road units were numbered 581-590. When the Milwaukee Road was acquired by the Soo Line, these units were transferred to the Soo Line. Eventually 9 of these locomotives were acquired by the Wisconsin Central railroad.

[edit] References

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter's Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
• Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD SD39 and SDL39 Original Owners.