Diesel of the Day 7/22: EMD SD45

Today we have a great example of classic American muscle…the EMD SD45! This sleek, powerful machine was the first production diesel to use a massive 20-cylinder engine, built between 1965 and 1971. The EMD 20-645E3 V20 is a two-stroke turbocharged design, producing 3,600 horsepower. To help adequately cool the new larger engine, the radiators at the rear were angled, fairing perfectly into the canted dynamic brake blister in the center of the hood, imparting a clean, yet brutish appearance. The SD45 is personally one of my favorite diesels; it’s an incredibly good-looking diesel, and sounds amazing! The SD45 sold well, with railroads ordering 1,260 units. It produced 600 more horsepower than the popular SD40, but had the same fuel consumption per cylinder, making it efficient for its size and power. However, as the fuel crisis of the 1970s burgeoned, many were stored or retired due to their higher fuel burn. Today, many have been downgraded to SD40-2 status by replacing their V20 engines with the smaller V16 used in the SD40-2, and hundreds survive in lease service. A few are in museums, including the first one built, Great Northern Railroad number 400, nicknamed ‘Hustle Muscle’. Today’s photo shows this beautifully restored operational example.