The EMD SD45-2 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD). EMD built 136 locomotives between 1972–1974, primarily for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF).
The SD45-2 was an improved version of the EMD SD45; the primary visual difference is the lack of flared radiators on the SD45-2.The SD45-2 was an initial success as well; consisting of being a complete improvement or upgrade as part of EMD's "Dash 2" line, it had little to almost absolutely no flaws during the early stages of production and during the model's official introduction. Though it mainly proved to be popular with the Santa Fe (ATSF), Southern Pacific (SP), and the predecessors of CSX (Seaboard System and Chessie System). A cabless variant or version ("booster" unit) was built as well, though it was primarily ordered and built upon request from the ATSF (as a result of the railroad's successful demonstrations and trials with their own rebuilt units). Though popular and compatible with the original SD45 as well, it's large 20-cylinder engine unfortunately didn't have long-lasting warranties like the 16-cylinder SD40 (and subsequent SD40-2); meaning that the 20-cylinder variant of the 645E3 engine wasn't guaranteed to last nearly as its 16-cylinder counter-part.
Though such railroads which owned fleets of their "45" series diesels built from EMD (such as the F45) were favored over their "40" series diesels, the "40" series proved (in later years) to have completely outlasted EMD's "45" series as a result of requiring less maintenance, consuming less fuel, and having better warranties with their engines. But by the time of the introduction of the SD50 (and GE's "Dash 8" line), owners began to retire and rebuild their fleets of SD45 and SD45-2 units into more compatible 16-cylinder types to be compatible with their newly-produced fleets of units (such as CSX; though, they eventually traded-in their remaining SD45 and SD45-2 units for SD50's). Though, the ATSF simply downgraded and de-rated their fleets of "45" series units, and weren't even retired until long after the BNSF merger in 1995-1996. Thus, making the ATSF the last owner and having the largest fleet of original "45" series, 20-cylinder types or models of EMD diesel locomotives on any North American or US Class 1 railroad.
SD45-2 units lasted somewhat longer than most SD45 units on various owners rosters, yet they were all eventually replaced with succeeding types of six-axle EMD (and GE; though not until around GE's track to dominance in 1985) models beginning with the SD50. Thus, having SD45-2 and subsequent models (including the original SD45) withdrawn from revenue service by 2005 from every other North American Class I railroad.
Preservation[]
- On August 31, 2018, CSX donated former SD45-2 #8954 (ex: SCL #2049) to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA, making it the first SD45-2 to be preserved.
- On October 6, 2021, BNSF donated SD45-2 #6484 (ex: ATSF #5704, one of 5 units to receive a bicentennial scheme) to the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris, CA, and is being restored to its ATSF Bicentennial scheme.
Original Owners[]
| Railroad | Quantity | Road Numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway | 90 | 5625-5714. | To BNSF |
| Clinchfield Railroad | 18 | 3607-3624. | To Family Lines System then to Seaboard System and now at CSX Transportation |
| Erie Lackawanna Railway | 13 | 3669-3681. | To Conrail and then to Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation, those to CSX downgraded to SD40-2 standards. |
| Seaboard Coast Line Railroad | 15 | 2045-2059. | To Family Lines System then to Seaboard System and now at CSX Transportation, |
Gallery[]
