EMD SD39

An EMD SD39 is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between August 1968 and May 1970. 54 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads.

In 1966, EMD updated their locomotive catalog with entirely new models, all powered by the new 645 diesel. These included six-axle models SD38, SD40, SDP40 and SD45.The SD39 was added to the EMD catalog in 1968. All shared standardized components, including the frame, cab, generator, trucks, traction motors, and air brakes. The primary 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. Of these common-platform models, the SD39 had the smallest prime mover and therefore had the most unused space above the frame, inside between the main generator and electrical cabinet, and outside in the form of large end "porches".

On January 1 1972, EMD debuted updated Dash-2 models. No orders were ever placed for an SD39-2.

A variant was the SDL39, special-ordered by the Milwaukee Road. Considerably shorter than a stock SD39, these were designed to minimize weight per axle.

Original owners^[1]

References

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. (1973). The Second Diesel Spotter’s Guide. Milwaukee, WI: Kalmbach Publishing Company. ISBN 0-89024-026-4. 
• 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".