SD38-2 Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

EMD introduced the SD38-2 in 1972 as part of its highly successful Dash 2 series. Like its predecessor, it used a non-turbocharged 16-cylinder 645E engine to produce 2,000 horsepower. This model prioritized reliability and high tractive effort over high-speed performance. The Dash 2 electronics simplified maintenance and improved the locomotive’s grip on the rails. Most railroads used the SD38-2 for heavy “drag” freight, steep mountain grades, and massive hump yard switching operations. Its six-axle design allowed it to move immense weight at low speeds without overheating its traction motors.

The SD38-2 saw significantly higher production than the original SD38, with EMD building 90 units. Major railroads like the Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, and the Bessemer & Lake Erie added them to their fleets. These engines became legendary for their longevity, often outlasting the faster, turbocharged SD40-2s in heavy yard service. Many units eventually went through rebuild programs to extend their lives even further. You can still find SD38-2s working today in industrial settings and major sorting yards across North America.