Description
The EMD SD40-2 is a 3,000-horsepower (2,200 kW) C-C
diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD from 1972 to 1989.
The SD40-2 was introduced in January 1972 as part of EMD's
Dash 2 series, competing against the GE U30C and the ALCO Century 630. Although
higher-horsepower locomotives were available, including EMD's own SD45-2, the
reliability and versatility of the 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 made it the
best-selling model in EMD's history and the standard of the industry for several
decades after its introduction. The SD40-2 was an improvement over the SD40,
with modular electronic control systems similar to those of the experimental
DDA40X.
Peak production of the SD40-2 was in the mid-1970s. Sales
of the SD40-2 began to diminish after 1981 due to the oil crisis, increased
competition from GE's Dash-7 series and the introduction of the EMD SD50, which
was available concurrently to late SD40-2 production. The last SD40-2 delivered
to a United States railroad was built in July 1984, with production continuing
for railroads in Canada until 1988, Mexico until February 1986, and Brazil until
October 1989. As of 2013, nearly all still remain in service.
The SD40-2 has seen service in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and
Guinea. To suit export country specifications, General Motors designed the
JT26CW-SS (British Rail Class 59) for Great Britain, the GT26CW-2 for
Yugoslavia, South Korea, Iran, Morocco, Peru and Pakistan, while the GT26CU-2
went to Zimbabwe and Brazil. Various customizations led Algeria to receive their
version of a SD40-2, known as GT26HCW-2.
With these easy to use and affordable locomotives, you can digitally control
speed, lighting, and direction. Compatible with all NMRA-compliant DCC
systems. Performs best on 18" radius curves or greater.
