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"SD38" and "SD38-2": A Modestly Powered Series

Last revised: December 16, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The SD38 series included the original model and later variants, the SD38AC and SD38-2, as well as the 12-cylinder SD39.  These units were equipped with Electro-Motive's latest 645 prime mover.

What was essentially a C-C version of the builder's popular four-axle GP38, the SD38 was not a big seller due its modest horsepower rating.  By contrast, the SD40 and SD45 - models which offered 3,000 and 3,600 horsepower respectively - sold more than 1,200 examples each.

Most Class 1s had passed on the SD38 and, as Greg McDonnell notes in his book, "Locomotives: The Modern Diesel & Electric Reference," most buyers were ore and coal haulers which utilized the units in heavy drag service.

Photos

Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range SD38AC #207 is seen here in Proctor, Minnesota during May of 1988. Warren Calloway photo.

History

The SD38 was the six-axle variant of EMD's mid-powered locomotive line sporting the builder's then-new model 645 prime mover.   

In his book, "EMD Locomotives," author Brian Solomon notes that in late 1965 EMD advertised nine new models equipped with its latest engine offered in a range of horsepower ratings, sizes, and wheel arrangements.

The SD38 began production in May, 1967, powered by EMD's 16-cylinder, model 645E3 power plant.  Unfortunately, while the company correctly read the mid-powered market in four-axle models - selling more than 3,000 examples of the GP38 series - the industry was largely disinterested in such six-axle designs.

Buyers were largely only those in need of greater footing in drag service.  These included the Bessemer & Lake Erie; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton; McCloud River Railroad; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; and Penn Central (its 35 was the most by a single customer).  

SD38-2

In 1972, EMD released its "Dash 2" line, which included the SD38-2.  In his book, "Locomotives: The Modern Diesel & Electric Reference," author Greg McDonnell notes EMD listed 40 refinements to the Dash 2 line although nearly all of these were internal, aimed at improving locomotive efficiency and operation.

Dash 2s generally saw higher sales than their standard counterparts.  However, the SD38-2 sold only a disappointing 90 examples to Bessemer & Lake Erie; Yankeetown Dock; Reserve Mining; Penn Central; Southern Pacific; Chicago & Illinois Midland; Chicago & North Western; Frisco; Southern Pacific; Louisville & Nashville; U.S. Steel; and Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range.

The Yankeetown Dock Corporation acquired a few SD38-2's to handle coal tonnage. Here, #20 readies to take empties back to the mines at Yankeetown, Indiana on July 26, 1980. Doug Kroll photo.

The model looked almost identical to the SD40-2 with its long front and aft "porches" which gave the locomotive a length of over 68-feet, three feet longer than the SD38.  Like its GP38 cousin, the SD38 differs from other models by its two large, rear radiator fans instead of three.

Data Sheet and Specifications

Production Roster

SD38

Total Built = 108

Export

SD38-2

Total Built = 90

Export

SD38AC

Total Built = 15

SD39

Total Built = 54

SDL39

Total Built = 10

Export Variants

SDP38

Total Built = 40

SD38-2TC

Total Built = 8

SDL38

Total Built = 6

SDL38-2

Total Built = 6

McCloud River Railroad SD38 #37 switches customers at Cayton, California on May 11, 2006. This was one of the three the road purchased in 1969. The historic short line has since closed. Drew Jacksich photo.

SD38AC

The SD38AC was all but identical to the original except for its AR10 alternator in place of the standard model D32 generator.  As horsepower ratings increased, the size of DC generators likewise increased.

With space inside an engine hood limited, the use of a more efficient alternator solved this problem.  Just 15 of these units were sold; six to the B&LE, eight to the Missabe, and one to BC Hydro & Hydro Power Authority.

SD39/SDL39

The SD39/SDL39 was part of the SD38 catalog by way of its turbocharged, 12-cylinder 645E3 prime mover.  The more fuel efficient model could produce an additional 300 horsepower. 

As Louis Marre notes in his book, "Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years," most railroads avoided mid-powered, turbocharged models due to their increased maintenance.  The SD39 can be easily distinguished by its single, rectangular turbocharger stack directly behind the central air intake.  Ultimately, only 54 were sold.

The SDL39 was a special variant requested by the Milwaukee Road.  The "L" denoted "lightweight," as its shorter frame and fuel tank made the locomotive ideal to handle the light rail, rickety bridges, and generally poorly maintained secondary branch lines found throughout the railroad's Midwestern network.  Just 10 were built between 1969-1972.

Sources

• Foster, Gerald. A Field Guide To Trains. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

• Marre, Louis A. Diesel Locomotives: The First 50 Years, A Guide To Diesels Built Before 1972.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1995.

• Pinkepank, Jerry A. Diesel Spotter's Guide.  Milwaukee: Kalmbach Publishing Company, 1967.

• Schafer, Mike. Vintage Diesel Locomotives. Osceola: MBI Publishing, 1998.

• Solomon, Brian.  EMD Locomotives.  Minneapolis: MBI Publishing Company, 2006.

• Solomon, Brian.  GE and EMD Locomotives:  The Illustrated History.  Minneapolis:  Voyageur Press, 2014.