Locomotive Phases - GMD SD40-2, SD40-2(W)

BCOL #759, a Phase 3a GMD SD40-2 seen in 2004.

For the development of the US-built EMD SD40-2 and relevant phases, see the EMD SD40-2 phases.

The transition from the GMD SD40 to the SD40-2 was generally the same as for their EMD counterparts. Most of the phase changes occurred at the same time as in EMD SD40-2 production, although a few minor changes occurred later.

Some of the features generally associated with GMD locomotive production (such as vertical corner steps and nose-mounted headlights) were more a question of railroad specifications than of differences from EMD. When GMD built several orders of SD40-2's for BN while EMD was at capacity, they were virtually identical to their US-built counterparts. Likewise, when EMD built an order of early CP SD40-2's, they were built to GMD/CP specs.

These phases are based on my own observations in combination with sources I used for US-built SD40-2 phases. In March 2025 I revamped my phases for EMD-built SD40-2's, and in the process I relabelled my former GMD Phase 2c, 2d, 2e1 and 2e2 as Phases 3a through 3d.

Phases - SD40-2

Phases - SD40-2(W)

CN SD40-2(W) #5250, seen in 2008.

The SD40-2(W) followed some of the same detail changes as the GMD SD40-2. However, it was not affected by changes specific to the standard cab, such as the side panel around the windows, cab sub-base, battery box covers or the length of the short hood. It also retained wire mesh radiator intakes significantly later before adopting corrugated intakes. As CN was the only buyer, there were no railroad-specific variations.

When I first made these phase descriptions back in the mid-2000s, I limited "Phase 2" to units with corrugated radiator intakes in an attempt to bring the details in line with EMD SD40-2 production. However, that left the first four phases grouped tightly together as Phases 1a1, 1a2, 1a3, and 1b. In March 2025, while revamping SD40-2 phase descriptions, I relabelled them as Phases 1, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3 - which makes more sense for the sequence of detail changes and is a closer match with the timeline for standard-cab units.

Other details

• Several SD40-2(W) orders came either with or without dynamic brakes while being otherwise identical.
• CN 5324 and up were initially equipped with speed recorders on every axle, similar to GP40-2L(W) units
• All units were built with ditch light brackets without ditch lights installed. Ditch lights were later permanently installed to these brackets.

Modifications

CN made a number of modifications to these units over the years:

• Relocation of the horn from the cab to the long hood
• Revised front cab window gaskets
• Addition of a ridge along the front of the cab roof
• Addition of snow shields over the inertial air intakes
• Replacement of the horizontal jog in the left handrail behind the cab with a vertical notch on Phase 1a1 through 1a3 units
• Addition of sheetmetal lift rings near the rear of the long hood
• Replacement of welded panel at the rear of the long hood on Phase 1a1 units with a hinged door, and larger louvres on the bolted panel underneath
• Removal of speed recorder cables (from units with recorders on every axle)
• Addition of coupler knuckle holders on rear pilots
• Installation of a pollution collector tank behind the fuel tank
• Removal of rerailing frogs initially suspended over the trucks

References

CNRPhotos. (2005). 5200s - SD40-2(w). Retrieved October 2014 from http://www.cnrphotos.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=10320

Unofficial EMD Homepage. (2005). SD40-2 Order Numbers. Retrieved January 2017 from http://www.trainweb.org/emdloco/sd40-2.htm

van Schoonhoven, W. (2016). CPR Diesel Roster. Retrieved January 2017 from http://www.mountainrailway.com/Diesel%20Roster%20Page.htm