EMD GP40


The EMD GP40 is a 4-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between November 1965 and December 1971. It has an EMD 645E3 16-cylinder engine generating.
The GP40 is longer than its EMD 567D3A-engined predecessor, the GP35, and distinguished visually by its three 48-inch radiator fans at the rear of the long hood, while the GP35 has two large fans and a smaller one in between. It was built on a frame; the GP35 was built on a frame - as was the GP7, 9, 18, and 30. The difference in length can be seen in the GP40's ten handrail stanchions compared to the GP35's nine.
1,187 GP40s were built for 28 U.S. railroads; 16 were built for one Canadian carrier, Canadian National; and 18 were built for two Mexican carriers, Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico and Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México. 60 units were built with high-short-hoods and dual control stands for Norfolk & Western Railway. Two passenger versions, the GP40P and GP40TC, were also built, but on longer frames to accommodate steam generators and HEP equipment.
On January 1, 1972, the GP40 was discontinued and replaced by the GP40-2, which has a modular electrical system and a few minor exterior changes.

Original owners

GP40P
RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
Central Railroad of New Jersey133671-3683
Totals13

GP40TC
RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
Canadian National Railway8600-607
Totals8

Rebuilds

GP40N

Union Pacific has rebuilt 129 of their GP40's and GP40-2's into GP40N's at their Jenk's shop. These units received a microprocessor control system to increase adhesion, control options, and extend the life of the locomotive.

GP40R

The St. Louis Southwestern Railway ordered eight locomotives from EMD but rebuilt all eight of them into GP40R's between January and June of 1982.

GP22ECO

The GP22ECO is a locomotive built from recycled GP40/GP40-2 parts. The frame, trucks, and carbody are refurbished, while the 16-645 engine is replaced with a new 8-710-ECO engine. The electrical system is replaced with a modern microprocessor-based system. Horsepower is reduced to 2,150 due to the smaller engine.

Preservation