EMD SD45-2 explained

EMD SD45-2
Powertype:Diesel
Builder:General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
Buildmodel:SD45-2
Builddate:1972–1974
Totalproduction:136
Aarwheels:C-C
Wheeldiameter:40"
Length:68feet
Locoweight:368000lb
Fuelcap:3200-4000 GAL
Lubecap:294-466 GAL
Watercap:288 GAL
Sandcap:56cuft
Primemover:EMD 20-645E3
Rpmrange:315-900
Enginetype:V20 diesel
Aspiration:Turbocharged
Alternator:AR10
Generator:D14
Tractionmotors:D77
Cylindercount:20
Maxspeed:NaN0NaN0
Poweroutput:3600lk=inNaNlk=in

The EMD SD45-2 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). EMD built 136 locomotives between 1972 and 1974, primarily for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). The SD45-2 was an improved version of the EMD SD45; the primary visual difference is the absence of flared radiators on the SD45-2.

Design

Part of the EMD Dash 2 line, the SD45-2 was an upgraded SD45. Like the SD45, the SD45-2 had an EMD 645E3 20-cylinder engine producing 3600hp. The main spotting difference between an SD45 and an SD45-2 was the long hood and the rear radiator. On the SD45 the long hood is flared whereas on the SD45-2 it is vertical and the rear cooling fans are more spread out on the top of the rear of the long hood. This unit used the same frame as the EMD SD40-2 and EMD SD38-2. The largest owner of the SD45-2 was the Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe with 90 units, the Clinchfield had 18 units, Seaboard Coast line had 15 units and Erie Lackawanna rostered 13 units.

A few cabless SD45-2Bs were built by Santa Fe from units undergoing remanufacturing. In all but one case (5510), the dynamic brakes were moved to the opposite end of the hood from the radiators; they were originally near the center of the hood.[1] With no cab, these B-units are controlled from other locomotives.

In September 2015, Norfolk Southern revealed SD45-2 #1700, which was painted back to its Erie Lackawanna color scheme at Chattanooga, Tennessee.[2] This is the second unit from an NS predecessor painted back into its original colors.

Preservation

On August 31, 2018, CSX donated former SD45-2 #8954 (ex: SCL #2049) to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Georgia, making it the first SD45-2 to be preserved.[3]

On October 6, 2021, BNSF donated SD45-2 #6484 (ex: ATSF #5704, one of 5 units to receive a bicentennial scheme) to the Southern California Railway Museum (SCRM) in Perris, California.[4] It was restored to its bicentennial scheme as ATSF #5704, and is currently stored in Commerce, California, awaiting delivery to SCRM.

Original owners

!Railroad!Quantity !Road Numbers!Notes
905625-5714. To BNSF
Clinchfield Railroad183607-3624. To Family Lines System then to Seaboard System and now at CSX Transportation
Erie Lackawanna Railway133669-3681. To Conrail and then to Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation, those to CSX downgraded to SD40-2 standards.
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad152045-2059. To Family Lines System then to Seaboard System and now at CSX Transportation,
Totals 136

References

Notes and References

  1. Book: Railfan & Railroad. 1988. Carstens Publications. 28–29.
  2. News: Gunnoe. Chase. NS repaints Erie Lackawanna SD45-2 in original colors. 2015-11-22. Trains Magazine. 2015-09-30.
  3. Web site: Todd. DeFeo. 2018-08-31. CSX Transportation Donates Rare Locomotive to Southeastern Railway Museum. 2021-08-31. Southeastern Railway Museum. en-US.
  4. Web site: 2021-10-06. Southern California Railroad Museum adds ATSF bicentennial SD45-2 to collection. 2021-10-06. Trains. en-US.