View source for EMD GP38-2

{{Short description|Model of North American diesel-electric locomotive}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = EMD GP38-2
| powertype = [[Diesel-electric]]
| image = BNSF 2273 Lincoln, NE 3-13-14.jpg
| caption = [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] GP38-2s 2273 and 2778 in [[Lincoln, Nebraska]]
| builder = United States - [[Electro-Motive Diesel]] (EMD)<br />Canada - [[General Motors Diesel]] (GMD)
| buildmodel = GP38-2
| builddate = January 1972–July 1986
| totalproduction = 2,264
| aarwheels = B-B
| uicclass = Bo'Bo'
| gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| length = {{convert|59|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|15|ft|4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|10|ft|4.5|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| locoweight = {{convert|250000|lbs|kg|sigfig=4|abbr=on}}
| primemover = [[Electro-Motive Diesel|EMD]] [[EMD 645|16-645E]]
| aspiration = [[Roots type supercharger|Roots-type blower]]
| enginetype = [[V16 engine|V16]] [[Two-stroke diesel engine|Two-stroke diesel]]
| cylindercount = 16
| locobrakes = [[Railway air brake|Straight air]], [[Dynamic braking (locomotive)|Dynamic]]
| poweroutput = {{convert|2000|hp|MW|2|abbr=on}}
| maxspeed = {{convert|65|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = '''Starting''': {{convert|61000|lbf|kN|0|abbr=on}} at 20%<br />'''Continuous''': {{convert|54700|lbf|kN|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|11.1|mph|kph|1|abbr=on}}
| transmission = [[Diesel-electric transmission|diesel electric]]
| alternator = AC alternator,
| tractionmotors = DC traction motors
| locale = North America, Saudi Arabia, México
| disposition = Most still in service as of 2019
}}

[[File:SOO 4413.jpg|thumb|[[Soo Line Railroad|Soo Line]] 4413 in [[Oconomowoc, Wisconsin]]]]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 [[EMD GP38|GP38]]. Power is provided by an [[EMD 645E]] 16-cylinder engine, which generates 2,000 horsepower (1.5 MW).<ref>{{pinkepank diesel spotters guide 2}}</ref>

== GP38-2W ==
[[File:EMD GP38-2W CN 4769.jpg|thumb|[[Canadian National Railway|Canadian National]] 4769, a GMD GP38-2, with a CN-spec comfort cab in [[Saint-Félicien, Quebec]]]]
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.

There are snow shields above the inertial-filter central air intakes behind the cab; the electrical boxes and equipment blower behind the cab also differ in detail from a standard GP38-2.  They are otherwise identical.<ref>{{cite book|author=Foster, Gerald|title=A Field Guide to Trains of North America|url=https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetotrai0000fost|url-access=registration|year=1996|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Field Guides|isbn=0-395-70112-0|pages=[https://archive.org/details/fieldguidetotrai0000fost/page/74 74]–75}}</ref>

== 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 generator (railroad)|steam generators]] for passenger service on Mexican railways. In addition, all 257 of [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]]'s GP38-2s had Southern's "standard" high-short-hoods.<ref>{{Marre, Pinkepank - Diesel spotters guide}}</ref> <!-- DO NOT add BNSF, they were not an original buyer. Production ended in 1986, BNSF was formed in 1995.-->

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Railroad
!Quantity
!Road numbers
!Notes
|-
| [[Angelina and Neches River Railroad]] || 1 || 2000 ||
|-
|[[The American Rolling Mill Company]]||1 || B-84 ||
|-
|[[Atlanta and West Point Railroad]]||2 || 6007–6008 || [[Family Lines]] paint. To
[[Seaboard System Railroad]].
|-
|[[Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railroad]]||3 || 508–510 ||
|-
| [[Belt Railway of Chicago]] || 6 || 490–495 ||
|-
|[[Boston and Maine Railroad]]||12 || 201–212 || 212 was renumbered 200 as a
bicentennial unit.
|-
| [[Burlington Northern Railroad]] || 37 || 2078–2109, 2150–2154 ||2150-2154 assigned to [[Fort Worth & Denver]]. Most passed on to [[BNSF Railway]].
|-
| [[Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway]] || 2 || 108–109 ||
|-
|[[Chicago and North Western Transportation Company]]||35 || 4600–4634 || Ordered by [[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad|Rock Island]]. To [[Union Pacific Railroad]].
|-
|[[Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad]]||10 || 2000–2009 ||
|-
|[[FirstEnergy#Centerior|Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company]]||9 || 100–108 ||
|-
| [[Clinchfield Railroad]] || 8 || 6000–6006, 6045  || [[Family Lines]] paint. To [[Seaboard System]].
|-
| [[Colorado and Wyoming Railway]] || 2 || 2001–2002 ||
|-
| [[Conrail]] || 119 || 8163–8281 || All units were renumbered when divided between [[CSX Transportation]]
and [[Norfolk Southern Railway]].
|-
| Curtis, Milburn and Eastern Railroad ||4 || 810, 817-819  ||
|-
|[[Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad]]||8 || 221–228 || 228 was renumbered 1776 for
the bicentennial. Renumbered GTW 6221–6228 in 1984–85.
|-
| [[Durham and Southern Railway]] || 4 || 2000–2003 || To [[Seaboard Coast Line Railroad]] 556–559.
|-
|[[Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway]]||5 || 700–704 || All to Birmingham and Southern Railroad. 703 re-purchased in the 90s and assigned to Waukegan.
|-
| [[Florida East Coast Railway]] || 11 || 501–511 ||
|-
| [[Georgia Railroad]] || 4 || 6009–6010, 6051–6052 || [[Family Lines]] paint. To [[Seaboard System]]
|-
| [[Grand Trunk Western Railroad]] || 25 || 5812–5836 ||
|-
|[[Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad]]||15 || 740–754 || To [[Illinois Central Gulf Railroad]].
|-
| [[Illinois Central Gulf Railroad]] || 40 || 9600–9639 ||
|-
| [[Illinois Terminal Railroad]] || 4 || 2001–2004 || to [[Norfolk and Western]] 4160-4163, then to [[Norfolk Southern]] same numbers.
|-
| [[Kansas City Southern Railway]] || 12 || 4000–4011 ||
|-
| [[Lehigh Valley Railroad]] || 12 || 314–325 || To the [[Delaware & Hudson Railway]] upon creation of [[Conrail]] as 7314–7325. Briefly renumbered to 220-231 during the [[Guilford Rail System|Guilford]] ownership of the D&H, upon emergence from Guilford renumbered to 7303–7312.
|-
| [[Long Island Rail Road]] || 28 || 250–277 || 251 cab unit serves as a simulator at the [[Railroad Museum of Long Island]]. 261, 268, 270–271 to [[New York and Atlantic Railway]].
Delivered in Long Island bicentennial scheme.
|-
|[[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]]|| 129 || 4050–4144, 6011-6044 || 6011-6044 [[Family Lines]] paint. To [[Seaboard System]].
|-
|[[Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad]]|| 16 || 350–365 || To [[Soo Line Railroad]].
|-
| [[Mississippi Export Railroad]] || 2 || 65–66 ||
|-
| [[Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad]] || 18 || 304–321 || 319-321 has D\B{{huh|date=February 2022}}To [[Union Pacific]].
|-
| [[Missouri Pacific Railroad]] || 274 || 858–959, 2111–2237, 2290–2334 || To [[Union Pacific]].
|-
|[[Penn Central Transportation Company]]|| 223 || 7940–8162 || To [[Conrail]], same numbers.
|-
|[[Phelps Dodge]]||8 || 1–4, 9, 55, 56, 58 ||
|-
|[[Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad]]||6 || 2051–2056 ||
|-
|[[Providence and Worcester Railroad]]||4 || 2006–2009 ||
|-
|[[Public Service Company of Indiana]]||2 || WG1-WG2 || Lettered for AMAX Coal.
|-
|[[Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad]]||68 || 4300–4355, 4368-4379 ||
Acquired by [[Grand Trunk Western|GTW]], [[Missouri Pacific|MP]] and [[Pittsburgh & Lake Erie|P&LE]] upon dissolution of Rock Island.
|-
| [[San Manuel Arizona Railroad]] || 2 || 16–17 ||
|-
| [[Seaboard Coast Line Railroad]] || 74 || 500–555, 6046–6050, 6053-6065 || 6046–6050,
6053-6065 [[Family Lines]] paint. To [[Seaboard System]].
|-
| [[Soo Line Railroad]] || 53 || 790–799, 4410–4452 || 790–799 renumbered 4400–4409
soon after delivery.
|-
| South East Coal Company ||3 || 3821–3823 ||
|-
|[[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]]||257 || 5000–5256 || High-short-hoods. To [[Norfolk Southern]]. 23 rebuilt with an Admiral Cab.<ref group=note>The Admiral Cab was designed by Norfolk Southern for narrow-nose and low-hood cabs that retains the look of a standard EMD cab, the exceptions being sharper angles, angled center windows, raised numberboard section, under-floor air conditioning, and the nose being made of one inch thick steel instead of the quarter inch steel of the original EMD cab.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=What is an Admiral Cab? |url=http://www.altoonaworks.info/rebuilds/admiralcab.html |website=altoonaworks.info |publisher=L.R. Myers |access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> 50 to be sold at auction on August 18, 2016. 5076 sold to Northwestern Pacific in 2017.
|-
|[[Southern Pacific Transportation Company]]||45 || 4800–4844 ||
|-
| [[St. Louis–San Francisco Railway]] || 116 || 400–478, 663–699 || To [[Burlington Northern Railroad]].
|-
| [[Texas Mexican Railway]] || 7 || 861–867 || 867 was the last La Grange-built GP38-2 in
May '85. All others built at GMDD London, Ont.
|-
| [[Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway]] || 11 || 2001–2011 || All went to [[Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway|Santa Fe]] then were divided up, with some going to [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]] after merger and others to [[Kansas City Southern Railway|KCS]].
|-
| [[Union Pacific Railroad]] || 60 || 2000–2059 ||
|-
| [[Vermont Railway]] || 2 || 201–202 ||
|-
|-
! colspan="4" |Locomotives built by GMD, London, Ontario
|-
| [[Algoma Central Railway]] || 6 || 200-205 ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Canadian National Railway]] || 60 || 5500–5559 || 23 renumbered to the 200 series when converted to hump mothers in 1978, these plus one additional renumbered to 7500-7526 (not all #'s used) in 1985. Three more, 7528, 7530, 7532 renumbered in 1990. The balance of these units became 4700–4732 in 1988. Units 4702 and 4728 rebuilt to GP40-3 and repainted to heritage schemes.
|-
|51 || 5560–5610 || GP38-2W's. Renumbered 4760–4810 in 1988. 5586 destroyed in the [[Hinton train collision]] of 1986.
|-
| [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] || 115 || 3021–3135 || The 3086-3135 were the last GP38-2's built by GMD, between March and July 1986.
|-
| [[Devco Railway]] || 13|| 216–228 ||
|-
| [[Ontario Northland Railway]] || 10 || 1800–1809 ||
|-
| Texas Gulf Sulphur || 2 || 054–055 ||
|-
|-
! colspan="4" |Export locomotives built by EMD for other railroads
|-
| [[Altos Hornos de México]] || 6|| 141, 145, 157–158, 167-168 ||
|-
|[[Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico]]||12 || 900-911 || 910 & 911 have high-short-hoods containing [[steam generator (railroad)|steam generator]]s.
|-
| [[Ferrocarriles Nacionales de México]] || 124 || 9200–9299, 9400–9414, 9901-9909 || 9200-9219 & 9901-9909 have high-short-hoods containing [[steam generator (railroad)|steam generator]]s.
|-
| [[Ferrocarriles Unidos del Sureste]] || 14 || 514–521, 528-533 ||
|-
|[[Saudi Railways Organization]]||1 || 2000 ||
|-
!Totals !! 2,264 !! !!
|}

== Rebuilds ==
[[File:P&W_light_engines_at_Pawtucket_station.jpg|thumb|Two [[Providence and Worcester Railroad]] GP38-2s at [[Pawtucket/Central Falls station]] in 2023]]
A number of higher horsepower ''40 Series'' locomotives have been rebuilt into the equivalent of a GP38-2, by removal of the [[Turbocharger#Marine and land-based diesel turbochargers|turbocharger]] and the substitution of twin [[Roots-type supercharger|Roots blower]]s.

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'''<nowiki/>'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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Craig |first=R |title=Union Pacific Motive Power |url=https://www.thedieselshop.us/UP.HTML |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231228223440/https://www.thedieselshop.us/UP.HTML |archive-date=28 December 2023 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=The Diesel Shop}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Union Pacific Locomotive Roster |url=https://www.up.com/aboutup/funstuff/locomotive-roster/index.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104211824/https://www.up.com/aboutup/funstuff/locomotive-roster/index.htm |archive-date=4 January 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=Up.com}}</ref>

== Preservation ==
A relatively small amount of GP38-2s are in preservation, with all being ex-[[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern]], and all operating on tourist lines.

* [[Colebrookdale Railroad]] #5128, built as a [[Southern Railway (US)|Southern]] subsidiary [[Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad]] locomotive, is operating excursions on the line.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cupper |first=Dan |date=1 February 2024 |title=Private car 'Loretto' moves to new home at Colebrookdale Railroad |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/private-car-loretto-moves-to-new-home-at-colebrookdale-railroad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315220712/https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/private-car-loretto-moves-to-new-home-at-colebrookdale-railroad/ |archive-date=15 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=[[Trains magazine|Trains]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burkhart |first=M.T. |date=2021-03-29 |title=Colebrookdale Railroad Acquires Former LS&I 2-8-0 |url=https://railfan.com/colebrookdale-railroad-acquires-former-lsi-2-8-0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105175705/https://railfan.com/colebrookdale-railroad-acquires-former-lsi-2-8-0/ |archive-date=5 November 2023 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=[[Railfan & Railroad]] |language=en-CA}}</ref> It was repainted into the railroad's colors in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-19 |title=Former Southern, NS diesel now playing major role for Pennsylvania’s Colebrookdale Railroad |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/former-southern-ns-diesel-now-playing-major-role-for-pennsylvanias-colebrookdale-railroad/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Southern Railway (US)|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 Corporation|Norfolk Southern]] #5033 in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 May 2017 |title=Revival of Southern Railway GP38-2 No. 5000: A Historical Journey |url=https://www.tvrail.com/2017/05/19/southern-railway-gp38-2-5000-journey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315221804/https://www.tvrail.com/2017/05/19/southern-railway-gp38-2-5000-journey/ |archive-date=15 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=[[Tennessee Valley Railroad]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Southern Railway 5000 |url=https://www.tvrail.com/equipment/southern-railway-5000/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207075647/https://www.tvrail.com/equipment/southern-railway-5000/ |archive-date=7 December 2023 |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=[[Tennessee Valley Railroad]]}}</ref>
* [[Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum]] #5044,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Southern Railway's 5044 & 5109: Powerful GP38-2 Units with Unique High Short Hoods |url=https://www.tvrail.com/equipment/southern-railway-5044-and-5109/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004123527/https://www.tvrail.com/equipment/southern-railway-5044-and-5109/ |archive-date=4 October 2023 |access-date=15 March 2024 |website=[[Tennessee Valley Railroad]]}}</ref> built as a [[Southern Railway (US)|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,<ref name=":0" /> painted in the museum's black and red scheme with yellow striping, is preserved and is operating excursions on the Hiwassee River Railroad.

== 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 ==
{{reflist}}
* Thompson, David, ''[http://www.trainweb.org/jaydeet/gp38-2.htm EMD GP38-2 and GP38-2W Original Owners]''.
* The Family Lines Rail System: Condensed List of Locomotives. 1 February 1982.

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|EMD GP38-2 locomotives}}
* [http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33436.pdf US Government test of GP38-2 with biodiesel]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090225013039/http://cnlines.ca/CNcyclopedia/loco/gp38/ CN GP38-2 family]
{{EMD GPs}}
{{Amtrak rolling stock}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:EMD GP38-2}}
[[Category:Electro-Motive Division locomotives|GP38-2]]
[[Category:General Motors Diesel locomotives|GP38-2]]
[[Category:B-B locomotives]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1972]]
[[Category:Freight locomotives]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Canada]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Canada]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Mexico]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Mexico]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian National Railway locomotives]]
[[Category:Canadian Pacific Railway locomotives]]
[[Category:Chicago and North Western Railway locomotives]]
[[Category:Conrail locomotives]]
[[Category:Illinois Central locomotives]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Road locomotives]]
[[Category:Soo Line locomotives]]
[[Category:Southern Pacific Railroad locomotives]]
[[Category:Diesel locomotives of Southern Railway (U.S.)]]
[[Category:St. Louis–San Francisco Railway locomotives]]
[[Category:Union Pacific Railroad locomotives]]

[[pl:EMD GP38]]