Skip to content
Locomotive-Specs
EMD GP38-2 – photo 1© trainspo.com
Diesel locomotive

EMD GP38-2

Built by EMD, GMD

Power output
1,490 kW
1,998 hp
Weight
120 t
264,554 lb
Length
18.03 m
59 ft 2 in
Track gauge
1,435 mm
Standard gauge
Years built
1972–1986
2,215 units
Axle arrangement
Bo'Bo'

Overview of the EMD GP38-2

The EMD GP38-2 is a versatile diesel locomotive known for its reliability and robust design.

This popular model, manufactured by EMD and GMD between 1972 and 1986, features a powerful EMD 16-645E prime mover delivering 1490 kW of power output.

With a length of 18.03 meters and a weight of 120 tons, the GP38-2 operates on standard gauge tracks (1435 mm) and is characterized by its Bo'Bo' UIC axle configuration.

This locomotive has served numerous railways across the United States and Canada, highlighting its widespread adoption and effectiveness in various rail operations.

EMD GP38-2 technical specifications

Value
SeriesGP38-2
FamilyDash 2
Built byEMD, GMD · 1972–19862,215 units
Power output1,490 kW1,998 hp
Prime moverEMD 16-645E
Track gauge1,435 mmStandard gauge4 ft 8½ in
UIC axle arrangementBo'Bo'
Length18.03 m59 ft 2 in
Weight120 t264,554 lb

Operators of the EMD GP38-2

Railway companies that have operated the GP38-2, with the class designation used by each of them.

OperatorClassCountry
Canadian National RailwayCN GP38-2Canada
Canadian Pacific RailwayCP GP38-2Canada
Ontario Northland RailwayONT GP38-2Canada
Quebec Gatineau RailwayQGRY GP38-2Canada
Arizona and California RailroadARZC GP38-2United States
Belt Railway of ChicagoBRC GP38-2United States
Big Spring RailBSR GP38-2United States
BNSF RailwayBNSF GP38-2United States
BNSF RailwayBNSF GP38-2RUnited States
Buckingham Branch RailroadBB GP38-2United States
Buffalo and Pittsburgh RailroadBPRR GP38-2United States
Burlington NorthernBN GP38-2United States
Butte, Anaconda and Pacific RailwayBAP GP38-2United States
California Northern RailroadCFNR GP38-2United States
Central Oregon and Pacific RailroadCORP GP38-2United States
Chicago and North Western Transportation CompanyCNW GP38-2United States
Chicago SouthShore and South Bend RailroadCSS GP38-2United States
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific RailroadMILW GP38-2United States
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadCRIP GP38-2United States
CIT Equipment Finance CorporationCEFX GP38-2United States
CITI CorpCBFX GP38-2United States
Conrail: Consolidated Rail CorporationCR GP38-2United States
CSX TransportationCSXT GP38-2United States
Delaware and Hudson RailwayDH GP38-2United States
Denver Rock Island RailroadDRIR GP38-2United States
Dover and Rockaway River Railroad Company, LLCDRRV GP38-2United States
East Penn RailroadESPN GP38-2United States
EMDEMDX GP38-2United States
Farmrail CorporationFMRC GP38-2United States
Finger Lakes RailwayFGLK GP38-2United States
First Coast RailroadFCRD GP38-2United States
Florida East Coast RailwayFEC GP38-2United States
Freeport McMoRanFCX GP38-2United States
GATX Rail Locomotive Group (GMTX)GMTX GP38-2United States
Georgetown Rail EquipmentGREX GP38-2MUnited States
Grand Trunk Western RailroadGTW GP38-2United States
Great Lakes Central RailroadGLC GP38-2United States
Gulf Mobile & OhioGM&O GP38-2United States
Gulf Mobile & OhioGM&O GP38-2United States
Helm Leasing CompanyHLCX GP38-2United States
Illinois Central GulfICG GP38-2United States
Illinois Central RailroadIC GP38-2United States
Indiana Eastern RailroadIERR GP38-2United States
Iowa Interstate RailroadIAIS GP38-2United States
Iowa Northern RailwayIANR GP38-2United States
Kansas City Southern RailwayKCS GP38-2United States
Locomotive Leasing PartnersLLPX GP38-2United States
LTEX RailLTEX GP38-2United States
Marquette RailMQT GP38-2United States
Maryland Midland RailwayMMID GP38-2United States
Massachusetts Central RailroadMCER GP38-2United States
Mid-Michigan RailroadMMRR GP38-2United States
Missouri PacificMP GP38-2United States
Missouri-Kansas-TexasMKT GP38-2United States
Norfolk Southern RailwayNS GP38-2United States
Progress RailPRLX GP38-2United States
Reading Blue Mountain and Northern RailroadRBMN GP38-2United States
Red River Valley and Western RailroadRRVW GP38-2United States
San Joaquin Valley RailroadSJVR GP38-2United States
Seaboard Coast Line RailroadSCL GP38-2United States
Seaboard System RailroadSBD GP38-2United States
Soo Line RailroadSOO GP38-2United States
Southern RailwaySOU GP38-2United States
St. Louis & San Francisco Railway (Frisco)SLSF GP38-2United States
Toledo, Peoria and Western RailwayTPW GP38-2United States
Union Pacific RailroadUP GP38-2United States
United States Sugar CorporationUSSC GP38-2United States
Vermont RailwayVTR GP38-2United States
Wichita, Tillman and Jackson RailwayWTJR GP38-2United States
Winchester and Western RailroadWW GP38-2United States

EMD GP38-2 photos

Photos © their respective authors, shared on trainspo.com. They may show liveries or variants that differ from the specifications above.

More diesel locomotives from EMD

All EMD models

Similar diesel locomotives from other manufacturers

All diesel locomotives