EMD GP40-2L(W)

The GP40-2L(W) emerged as a Canadian variant within EMD's broader Dash 2 locomotive family, which the Electro-Motive Division introduced in the early 1970s as a significantly upgraded generation of road switchers featuring modular electrical components designed to simplify maintenance and improve reliability. General Motors Diesel of London, Ontario, constructed approximately 235 of these units in 1974, making them a notable product of GMD's Canadian manufacturing operations rather than EMD's main La Grange, Illinois facility. The designation reflects the locomotive's origins, with the "L" indicating London-built construction and the "W" denoting the presence of a Canadian-style wide-nose safety cab, a feature that became increasingly standard on locomotives operated in Canadian service due to its enhanced crew protection in the event of a collision. Canadian National was the primary recipient of the GP40-2L(W), acquiring the units to bolster its road freight operations across its extensive network. The wide-nose cab configuration set these locomotives apart visually from their American counterparts and reflected the evolving safety standards that Canadian railroads were embracing during this period. The units saw extensive service hauling freight across Canadian main lines, and their robust construction under the Dash 2 philosophy contributed to long service lives for many examples within the CN roster. The GP40-2L(W) stands as a significant example of how a standardized locomotive platform could be adapted to meet regional operational preferences and safety requirements without fundamentally altering the underlying mechanical formula. The wide-nose cab would go on to become something of a defining characteristic of Canadian locomotive practice, and the GP40-2L(W) represented one of the earlier widespread applications of this design philosophy on a high-horsepower road unit built to Dash 2 standards.

The GP40-2L(W) is powered by the EMD 645E3 prime mover, a 16-cylinder turbocharged two-stroke diesel engine producing 3,000 horsepower and connected to a direct-current traction system driving four axles in a B-B wheel arrangement. This output placed the locomotive firmly in the upper tier of road freight power available during the mid-1970s. The Dash 2 electrical system, which distinguished all locomotives in this generation from their predecessors, featured modular plug-in electrical components that reduced troubleshooting time and allowed failed modules to be swapped out quickly in the field, a meaningful operational advantage for a railroad operating across vast distances with limited shop facilities along many routes. The wide-nose cab that defines the L(W) variant provided a substantially more substantial front-end structure compared to the conventional short-hood configuration common on American units of the same era. Beyond the crew protection benefits, the wider cab offered improved visibility and more working space for locomotive crews during long road assignments. The underlying mechanical and traction components remained consistent with standard GP40-2 production, meaning that maintenance personnel familiar with the Dash 2 family generally found the L(W) variant straightforward to service despite its distinctive appearance.

Models by: Athearn