GP40/40-2/40-2W

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GP40

The Electromotive Division GP40 is a 4 axle, 3,000 HP diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD from 1966 to 1971. Like it's larger SD40 brother, the GP40 used a 16 cylinder 645E3 prime mover rated at 3,000 HP. The GP40 shared the same frame and body as the GP38, with minor external differences, the biggest being 3 radiator fans (vs. the GP38's 2) and longer radiators. Offered as a high horsepower, fast freight locomotive, GP40's were right at home on the head end of fast merchandise and TOFC (trailer on flat car) trains. 1,221 GP40's were built, with Chessie System and Penn Central having the largest fleets. Though not as common as GP38's today, many GP40's can still be found on Class 1's and shortlines, many having been rebuilt more than once (some derated to GP38-2 status, others upgraded to GP40-2s).

EMD also built 2 passenger versions of the GP40: the GP40P and the GP40TC. 13 GP40P's were built for Central of New Jersey RR and featured elongated long hoods to house steam generators, which were later rebuilt with HEP (head end power) and reclassified GP40PH's. They still exist on New Jersey Transit today as GP40PH-2's.

The 8 GP40TC's were built for CN and featured factory HEP, which were later transfered to Greater Ontario Transit (GO), who later sold them to Amtrak where they were used as backup passenger power. They still work for Amtrak as MOW units, rebuilt as GP38-3's.

GP40-2

The Electromotive Division GP40-2 is the Dash 2 version of the GP40, built from 1972 to 1986. Like the GP40, it used a 16 cylinder 645 engine rated at 3,000 HP. The differences between a GP40-2 and a GP40 are minimal, but the most easy to spot difference is the small water sight glass on the right hand side of the GP40-2, and several GP40-2's were delivered with Blomberg M trucks with single clasp brakes. 861 units were built, with many still in service today. Though good units, the high horse power, 4 axle unit was falling out of favor at the time they were built, and the SD40-2 reined supreme as far as sales. In recent years, railroads have begun rebuilding their GP40-2's, some being rebuilt as GP40M-3's, while others are derated to 2,000 HP, essentially making them GP38-2's (CSX calls their derated GP40-2's "GP38-2S's).

EMD also built 3 GP40P-2's for Southern Pacific, who used them in San Fransico Bay area commuter service. They soldier on for Union Pacific today, albiet without steam generators.

GP40-2W

The GP40-2W is a Canadian varient of the GP40-2 built by GMD in Ontario. 287 were built for CN and GO Transit, with most of CN's being GP40-2LW's with higher frames. CN has recently begun selling off many of their GP40-2LW's to shortline and regional railroads, while all of GO's have been sold off for some time.

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