Trains.com

What's YOUR favorite EMD locomotive?

22236 views
89 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Carbondale, Illinois
  • 169 posts
Posted by emd_SD_60 on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:01 PM
SD45 and SD40-2
My pics @ emd_sd_60.rrpicturearchives.net!
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 4 posts
Posted by locomotivefan on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:23 PM

I'm sorta crazy about the modern ones so I'd say the SD-90 MAC.  However for an oldie but goodie, I'd say the SD-45T2Big Smile [:D]

  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: In the heart of Winnipeg
  • 224 posts
Posted by Trainmaster.Curt on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:50 PM

Yeah i like the SD90MAC-H and 9043's too, though high-hood torpedo GP9's are another fav. The local BNSF yard in Winnipeg has one.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=54391

TMC (CNR Mixed train GMD1 1063 with combine coach) (Remember always at Railway X-ing's, (Stop, Look and Listen!)
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, July 13, 2006 12:27 PM

For domestic designs, I'll vote for the SD45 and the various 645-powered switchers with the tall cabs (SW1000, SW1500, MP15, MP15AC & MP15T).

For export designs, I'll go with the AT26C (CL/CLF/CLP on ARG).

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 13, 2006 2:59 PM
For me definately the SD40-2. I like the distinctive sound when they are in idle or one of the lower throttle setting, they sound really great when you lash up 3 or more and they are running good.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 14, 2006 12:42 PM
Never saw a list to choose from, but my favorites are the SD40T-2, SD45T-2, DD40AX, and E8.  Sorry if they are not on the list, but I don't see any list anywhere!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 14, 2006 12:54 PM

I'm somewhat partial to the lowly GP38-2.  I've seen a lot of these in yard and turn operations.  For a relatively low-powered loco, it can sure handle a lot!

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 14, 2006 1:22 PM

I will definitely agree that the SD40/40-2's are at the top of the list. As a former Conrail Train Dispatcher I got to see many of them on the road between Indianapolis and St. Louis. Following at a distance on I-70 watching three or four together pulling a 100+ car train was a sight to behold.

If you watched them closely they seem to be leaning forward as they roll down the road. They look and sound like speed. The fact that I got to operate them also had something to do with my opinion too. What would you expect from the locomotive that dislodged the GP7/9 from the top of EMD's best selling list.

That says it all.

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Saturday, July 15, 2006 2:08 AM
Well lets go back to when they were called EMC. The Santa Fe E1's A-B-B-A ..nothing will ever match these streamlined beauties top speed 110 m.p.h . . Fastest Diesel-Electrics in the world at the time they were built.Big Smile [:D]Yeah!! [yeah]
Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
  • 664 posts
Posted by mustanggt on Saturday, July 15, 2006 2:49 AM

My favorite is the AEM-7 electric..................That's some passenger power!

 

 

C280 rollin'
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Canoga Park (Los Angeles)
  • 494 posts
Posted by TheS.P.caboose on Saturday, July 15, 2006 9:18 AM

1. SD45T-2

2. SD40T-2

3. SD40-2

4. SD45

Regards Gary
  • Member since
    March 2006
  • From: In the heart of Winnipeg
  • 224 posts
Posted by Trainmaster.Curt on Saturday, July 15, 2006 8:45 PM

Another classic EMD/GMD diesel is the FP7's. CPR's Royal Canadian Pacific train has two of them. In the tuscan red and light grey colour scheme from the 50's and 60's, it looks timeless, especially with the old tuscan red coaches.

 

TMC (CNR Mixed train GMD1 1063 with combine coach) (Remember always at Railway X-ing's, (Stop, Look and Listen!)
  • Member since
    November 2004
  • From: Brisbane Australia
  • 1,721 posts
Posted by james saunders on Sunday, July 16, 2006 7:58 AM

SD45, SD45T-2, SD40T-2, GP38-2, GP9, SD7/9, SD60, SD60M, SD70/M/MAC/75M and SD90MAC.

 

oh and the GP60

James, Brisbane Australia

Modelling AT&SF in the 90s

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 16, 2006 9:00 AM

E8.  To me, this was the penultimate passenger locomotive.  They still look good... better than some boxy AMTRAK passenger locomotives I'd not care to name....

Erik

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 2 posts
Posted by ASPG on Sunday, July 16, 2006 10:13 AM
I can't think of a sweeter sound than SD-45's in full dynamics going over Donner Pass or through Tehachapi.
GS4
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Cape Town, South Africa
  • 5 posts
Posted by GS4 on Sunday, July 16, 2006 7:52 PM

 

My favorite EMD loco is the F59PH-2, followed by the SD40-2

Simon J.C.Busby President, CEO & general factotum of the Bolder Creek Western Railroad Co. Forum Rep. Western Rails
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 12 posts
Posted by hondo52 on Sunday, July 16, 2006 11:21 PM

I always liked the SD-38's and the SD40-2 (Highnose). They have a sound of their own........Wink [;)]

hevCool [8D]

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 166 posts
Posted by Cris_261 on Monday, July 17, 2006 10:28 AM

One of my favorite diesels is the SD70M. It's got the F45-style front end coupled with the SD45-style flared radiator housings.

Other favorites: SD39, GP40/ GP40-2, FP45, and the ever popular SD45.

From here to there, and back again.
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: CSS mp0
  • 3 posts
Posted by css2005 on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 6:37 PM

1 - Torpedo tube GP7/9 (for first generation EMD B-B unit)

2 - Low-nose SD18 (for first generation EMD C-C unit)

3 - GP38-2 (for second generation EMD B-B unit)

4 - SD45 (for second generation EMD C-C unit)

5 - F45 (for the EMD cowl unit family)

Really enjoy the GP38-2's that South Shore Line uses - neat to see/hear a trio go up the grade over the B&O at Miller with coal loads! Still miss the Long Island RR GP38-2's as they were rather unique with those red marker lights on both front and back too. If I had to pick just one EMD model the GP38-2 is it for me!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chicago
  • 5 posts
Posted by IlNorthern on Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:36 PM
I like the look of the M100003,and the bulbous look of the E2a,and TA
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 4 posts
Posted by Harry A. Rodman on Friday, July 21, 2006 8:27 AM
Mine are GP 7's, GP 9's, GP 30's, GP 38's. GP 40's and GP 40-2's.  These were all great performers. The GP 35's were very slippery, to lite for their H.P. 
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Joliet, IL
  • 1,646 posts
Posted by EJE818 on Friday, July 21, 2006 10:21 AM
I would have to say SD38-2s are my favorite engines. The ones here on the EJ&E sound great. I also like the SD70ACes and SD70M-2s. Very loud horns for sure.
Robby Gragg - EJ&E fan Railpictures photos: http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=5292 Flickr photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24084206@N08/ Youtube videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EJE665 R-V videos: http://www.rail-videos.net/showvideos.php?userid=5292
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Villa Park
  • 185 posts
Posted by CMucha on Friday, July 21, 2006 2:49 PM
My Favorite is the EMD F40-PHM2s, Metras Main Locomotive on there BNSF Sub!
Metra is the Real Way to fly!
  • Member since
    September 2005
  • 19 posts
Posted by kkasten on Monday, July 24, 2006 7:53 AM
Mine would have to be Burlington Northerns SD60Ms.  These were very nice looking engines and ones you can still see today.  Second choice would have to be the BNSF SD70Macs.  Nothing more beautiful than these engines pulling a long coal train.
  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,041 posts
Posted by fifedog on Monday, July 24, 2006 4:28 PM
Why, the GP-30, of coarse.  Ruggedly handsome, 40-something, squarred shouldered, can't be mistaken for anything else...like me. I especially love GP-30's in the Chessie and B&O schemes. GP-30's in the rain....oh,sorry,wrong chat room...Whistling [:-^]
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 33 posts
Posted by BNIRRLives on Monday, July 24, 2006 8:34 PM

Burlington Northern SD40-2 Super Series were the best from the 1970s outlook for both operating and Mechanical people. In the late 80s it would be the SD60M, still DC, and no computer braking still the best.

BNIRRLives

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, July 28, 2006 7:42 AM

I GOTTA SAY I LIKE THE WAY THE MONTANA RAIL LINK 70ACES LOOK BUT I LOVE THE WAY A TRIO OF WHEELING AND LAKE ERIE RWY SD40-2/3'S SOUND TAKING OFF OUT OF MEDINA,OHIO WITH A 80 CAR GRAIN TRAIN

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Gator Country, Florida
  • 266 posts
Posted by NightrainAFD1987 on Monday, July 31, 2006 6:39 PM
Nothing beats an ATSF SD45-2 howling along the rails through the mountains.

Other choices would be an SD40-2, F7, and GP38
Duff Long live the AT&SF
  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: New Zealand
  • 140 posts
Posted by dxr8007nz on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 7:44 AM
GP60 , SD40T-2 , SD45T-2 , SD50 ,SD60-60M ,SD70MAC-70m-70AEc  ,SD75I ,80 ,SD90MAC
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 5, 2006 5:12 PM
So many to choose from!
The versatile GP38-2  is a winner. But I was smitten by the SD70MAC in BN Executive colours when it came out in the early 90's.
This morning a lone SD75I (CN 5771) went by pulling a load of empty grain cars — she looked pretty impressive too. Oooh, choices.
P.S. If you see CN 5698, (another SD75I) go by, get a listen to the horn if you can: sweeet.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy