SDP35

From RailroadfanWiki

The Electromotive Division SDP35 is a 6 axle, 2,500 HP diesel-electric locomotive built by EMD in 1964 and 1965. Like it's 4 axle GP35 and 6 axle SD35 siblings, the SDP35 uses a turbocharged 16 cylinder 567D3A engine rated at 2,500 horsepower. 35 were built.

The SDP35 was built during a time when railroads were experiencing record losses from passesnger train revenues. No new passenger locomotives had been built since the last E9's a few years before. Seaboard Air Line found itself with a fleet of aging E and F units in passenger service that were ripe for replacement, and went shopping at EMD. SAL wanted a unit that could pull passenger trains but also could be used as a freight unit when passenger service came to an end. Since EMD didn't catalog a passenger locomotive at the time, they adopted the SD35 into a passenger unit. By lengthening the frame to accomodate a steam generator at the rear of the unit, EMD dubbed the new locomotive the SDP35 (the P standing for passenger). SAL traded in old E4 and E6 locomotives for 20 SDP35's, which were delivered in early 1964.

3 other railroads ordered the SDP35; Atlantic Coast Line got 1 unit, Loiusville & Nashville ordered 4 and Union Pacific ordered 10. After a few months in passenger service, UP decided it would rather use it's fleet of E units on its passenger trains, and its SDP35 fleet was transferred into freight service. All SDP35's eventually had their steam generators removed and worked out the rest of their lives in freight service. 2 remain today, former SAL #1104 was rebuilt and works today as Squaw Creek Southern #11, while SAL #1114 is displayed in Hamlet, NC.

Back to EMD Passenger Locomotives