EMD GP38-2
BNSF Railway GP38-2s #2273 and #2778 in Lincoln, Nebraska
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder United States - Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) Canada - General Motors Diesel (GMD) Model GP38-2 Build date January 1972–July 1986 Total produced 2,264
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Length 59 ft 2 in (18.03 m) Width 10 ft 4.5 in (3.16 m) Height 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) Loco weight 250,000 lb (113,400 kg) Prime mover EMD 16-645E Engine type V16 Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Roots-type blower Alternator AC alternator, Traction motors DC traction motors Cylinders 16 Transmission diesel electric Loco brake Straight air, Dynamic
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 mph (105 km/h) Power output 2,000 hp (1.49 MW) Tractive effort Starting: 61,000 lbf (271 kN) at 20% Continuous: 54,700 lbf (243 kN) and 11.1 mph (17.9 km/h)
Career Locale North America, Saudi Arabia, México Disposition Most still in service as of 2019

The EMD GP38-2 is an American four-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors, Electro-Motive Division. Part of the EMD Dash 2 line, the GP38-2 was an upgraded version of the earlier GP38. Power is provided by an EMD 645E 16-cylinder engine, which generates 2,000 horsepower (1.5 MW).^[1]

GP38-2W

The GP38-2W is a Canadian variant of the GP38-2. It is easily distinguished by its wide-nose Canadian comfort cab. 51 of these locomotives were produced for the Canadian National Railway during 1973–1974.

Although a W is commonly suffixed to the name, it is actually an addition by enthusiasts to help specify the presence of a CN-spec comfort cab. No locomotives built using CN's design of comfort cab ever featured a W in their designation, as the presence of the cab did not mechanically alter the locomotive. This is reflected by the lack of the "W" in the model designation on the builders' plates of these units.

Compared to a standard GP38-2, the electrical cabinet air filter box and equipment blower duct behind the cab are different, the end platforms feature anticlimbers and vertical steps, and there are snow shields above the inertial-filter central air intakes behind the cab (added by CN some time after construction). They are otherwise largely the same as a GP38-2.^[2]

Original buyers

1,851 examples of this locomotive model were built for American railroads and industrial concerns, 206 for Canadian railroads and industrials, 156 for Mexican railroads and industrials, and 1 export unit for the Saudi Railways Organization. A total of 51 GP38-2s were built with high-short-hoods containing steam generators for passenger service on Mexican railways. In addition, all 257 of Southern Railway's GP38-2s had Southern's "standard" high-short-hoods.^[3]

Rebuilds

A number of higher horsepower 40 Series locomotives have been rebuilt into the equivalent of a GP38-2, by removal of the turbocharger and the substitution of twin Roots blowers.

CSX and Norfolk Southern have both started replacing cabs on the aging locomotives. NS still calls them GP38-2 while CSX calls them GP38-3.

Union Pacific has rebuilt 167 of their GP38-2's into GP38N'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.^[5][6]

Preservation

A relatively small amount of GP38-2s are in preservation, with most being ex-Southern, and all operating on tourist lines.

• Colebrookdale Railroad #5128, built as a Southern subsidiary Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad locomotive, is operating excursions on the line.^[7][8] It was repainted into the railroad's colors in 2025.^[9]
• Southern Railway #5000, the very first GP38-2 built, is preserved in operating condition, and sometimes operates excursion trains at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum. It was traded from Progress Rail with Norfolk Southern #5033 in 2017.^[10][11]
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum #5044,^[12] built as a Southern subsidiary Central of Georgia Railway locomotive, is in black with ‘TVRM’ logos on the front and rear end. It is expected to operate excursion trains on the Hiwassee River Railroad in the near future.
• Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum #5109,^[12] painted in the museum's black and red scheme with yellow striping, is preserved and is operating excursions on the Hiwassee River Railroad.
• Great Smoky Mountains Railroad 2335, built as St. Louis–San Francisco Railway (Frisco) 664.

See also

• List of GM-EMD locomotives
• List of GMD Locomotives
• Peacekeeper Rail Garrison, one ex-CSX GP38-2 was acquired by the United States Air Force and modified for a proposed rail-based ICBM system.

References

• Thompson, David, EMD GP38-2 and GP38-2W Original Owners.
• The Family Lines Rail System: Condensed List of Locomotives. 1 February 1982.

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to EMD GP38-2 locomotives.

• US Government test of GP38-2 with biodiesel
• CN GP38-2 family