EMD GP39-2 - Rhubarb Loop

The GP39-2 was Electro-Motive Division’s answer to the need for a more fuel-efficient road switcher during the energy-conscious 1970s. It was a refinement of the earlier and commercially unsuccessful GP39, which had only managed 23 sales. Built between 1974 and 1984 as part of the Dash 2 product line, the GP39-2 used a turbocharged 12-cylinder 645E3 diesel engine producing 2,300 horsepower. Compared to the GP38-2’s non-turbocharged 16-cylinder prime mover, the GP39-2 delivered more horsepower with fewer cylinders and better fuel economy—key selling points during a time of rising fuel costs. The turbocharger also gave the GP39-2 an edge in high-altitude operation, where normally aspirated engines like the GP38-2 struggled with power loss and excess smoke.

A total of 239 units were produced, with the largest fleet going to the Santa Fe, which acquired 106 over a seven-year period. Other buyers included Burlington Northern, Missouri–Kansas–Texas, Reading, and mining operators such as Kennecott and Phelps Dodge. The GP39-2 used a standard B-B wheel arrangement and typically rode on Blomberg trucks. Its design was straightforward, with enough power and reliability for general freight service without the extra maintenance demands of higher-horsepower models. While it never rivalled the GP38-2 in sheer numbers, the GP39-2 proved itself as a capable and efficient mid-horsepower locomotive.

Delaware & Hudson

The Delaware & Hudson operated two distinct fleets of GP39-2s. The first comprised twenty former Reading locomotives, numbered 7401-7420, which were acquired on 1 April 1976 following the formation of Conrail. Built by EMD in November 1974 as Reading Nos. 3401-3420, they entered D&H service still wearing Reading’s green and yellow paint. Initially, only minimal alterations were made, with the leading “3” in each number simply changed to a “7” and D&H lettering or a diamond herald applied to the cab sides. As time permitted, the locomotives were repainted into the Delaware & Hudson’s familiar blue and yellow corporate livery, although several remained in patched Reading colours for many years.

Later in 1976, the D&H supplemented the former Reading fleet with twenty new GP39-2s from EMD, numbered 7601-7620. Delivered in the Lightning Stripe blue and yellow scheme, some initially lacked heralds because the railroad needed them in service immediately. Together, the two fleets formed the backbone of the D&H’s road freight operations, handling bridge traffic, manifests and priority freights throughout New York, Pennsylvania and eastern Canada.

Following Guilford Transportation Industries’ acquisition of the Delaware & Hudson in 1984, the GP39-2 fleet entered a prolonged transition. Rather than an immediate fleet-wide repaint, locomotives appeared in a variety of liveries and numbering combinations over the following four years. D&H 7420 became the first former Reading GP39-2 to receive Guilford’s distinctive Big G grey and orange livery, appearing in that scheme by July 1985 while still retaining its original number. Other locomotives remained in D&H blue well into 1986 and 1987, demonstrating that repainting was undertaken gradually rather than as a single programme.

During February 1988, Guilford adopted a three-digit numbering scheme for the GP38-2 and GP39-2 fleets. Ten of the former Reading locomotives were renumbered into the 370-389 series, although several retained their original identities until the D&H entered bankruptcy later that year. The programme therefore resulted in a fascinating mix of appearances, with some locomotives carrying D&H blue, others Guilford grey with 7400-series numbers, and others both repainted and renumbered. Five locomotives, 7403, 7407, 7409, 7410 and 7412, never wore Guilford paint at all.

Following Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of the D&H, many of the GP39-2s continued in service. Several of the former Reading locomotives were rebuilt by Morrison-Knudsen at Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, during 1990 before being sold in 1991, while others eventually passed to CSX, where they entered the 4300-series. The former 7600-series locomotives likewise enjoyed long second careers after leaving Guilford. Throughout their lives, the GP39-2s proved to be among the Delaware & Hudson’s most successful diesel types, becoming one of the defining locomotive classes of the railroad’s post-Conrail era.

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402, acquired second-hand from the Reading Company, stands alongside sister GP39-2 No. 7615, one of a batch purchased new by the D&H in 1976, at the service tracks in Bevier Street Yard, Binghamton, New York, during Easter weekend 1980. The pair display two variations of the railroad’s blue, yellow and grey corporate livery introduced during the 1970s. GP38 No. 2316 is visible in the background. © Citizen of the Galaxy

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 leads a southbound freight departing Mechanicville at Coons Crossing in 1979. The train features motive power from all three major American locomotive builders, with the EMD-built GP39-2 leading, a GE unit trailing immediately behind, and an Alco locomotive further back in the consist. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 leads a southbound freight past SS Cabin at Schenectady station in 1979. Behind the EMD-built leader is GE U23B No. 2305, followed by an Alco locomotive, giving the train motive power from all three of the major American locomotive builders. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 leads a westbound pusher set through the snow at Coons Crossing, Halfmoon, New York, in January 1981. The locomotives are returning after assisting heavy trains over the ruling grades of the former Delaware & Hudson main line, with snow swirling around the consist as it heads west through the winter landscape. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 emerges from behind the grade crossing crossbucks at Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, on 8 October 1985. The locomotive is leading a detour train at the junction of the D&H Penn Division and Conrail’s Southern Tier main line, where traffic was diverted to avoid the closed Belden Hill Tunnel. The train would shortly continue west towards Susquehanna, passing beneath the town’s famous coaling tower. © Citizen of the Galaxy

On 8 October 1985, Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 leads detour train OBX-2 westward at Oakland, Pennsylvania, on Conrail’s former Erie Southern Tier main line. The train had left the D&H Penn Division at Jefferson Junction to avoid the closed Belden Hill Tunnel and is seen passing beneath the imposing coaling tower at Susquehanna, one of the last reminders of the town’s extensive railroad facilities. © Citizen of the Galaxy

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7402 leads D&H Alco C420 No. 383 and a New York, Susquehanna & Western locomotive at Crescent, New York, on 10 December 1988. The leading two locomotives carry the grey-and-orange Guilford-era paint scheme, although the large Guilford “G” logos had been painted out following the D&H bankruptcy and the end of Guilford’s control of the railroad. © Glen Perry

On 12 June 1989, Delaware & Hudson GP39-2s Nos. 7402 and 7406 work Mohawk Yard at Schenectady, New York. Both locomotives wear the grey and orange Delaware & Hudson livery introduced during the Guilford period as they shuffle a cut of freight cars through the yard beneath the signal bridge. © Glen Perry

On 28 November 1986, Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7407, one of the ex-Reading units acquired by the railroad, leads an eastbound freight into East Binghamton Yard at Holmes Crossing, New York. Immediately behind is Maine Central U23B No. 285, transferred from the D&H roster, followed by sister GP39-2 No. 7402 in its distinctive aquamarine variation of the D&H corporate livery. © Citizen of the Galaxy

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7410, one of twenty locomotives acquired from the Reading following the railroad’s 1976 inclusion in Conrail, is seen at Rouses Point, New York, on 24 June 1976. Still carrying its former Reading green paint, the locomotive has received only D&H lettering and a renumbering from 3410 to 7410, illustrating the railroad’s economical approach to integrating the fleet into service. © Richard Gassett Collection

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7412 leads a loaded Mount Tom coal train at Emmons, New York, on 4 September 1983. The mixed lash-up comprises Boston & Maine GP38-2 No. 211, Boston & Maine GP40-2 No. 314, Delaware & Hudson GP38-2 No. 7321 and ALCO C424 No. 452 as the train heads east toward Massachusetts. © H. E. Brouse Collection

D&H GP39-2 7412, originally from the Reading roster, at Mechanicville, NY, on 2 April 1984. Assigned to the D&H at Conrail’s startup on 1 April 1976, the unit later passed to CSX after Canadian Pacific declined to keep the fleet. © Joseph R. Quinn

On 19 October 1986, Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7417 leads an eastbound coal train climbing the grade out of Binghamton at Depot Street, Sanitaria Springs, New York. The locomotive consist comprises D&H No. 7417, Boston & Maine GP38-2 No. 205, D&H GP39-2 No. 7402, B&M No. 201 and D&H Alco C420 No. 338, reflecting the varied motive power typical of the Guilford era. © Citizen of the Galaxy

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 no. 7419 stands alongside Maine Central U25B no. 225 at Boston & Maine’s Lawrence Yard, Massachusetts, in August 1982. The overnight scene captures two pooled-power lash-ups lying side-by-side, one consisting of three D&H EMD GP39-2s and the other of three Maine Central U25Bs. MEC no. 225, still wearing its striking Harvest Gold scheme, contrasts sharply with the blue-and-yellow Delaware & Hudson power under Ken Houghton’s carefully staged night lighting. © Ken Houghton

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420, still wearing its former Reading green livery, pauses during a crew change at Hornell, New York, on 29 May 1978. Behind the leader are D&H U23Bs Nos. 2301 and 2305 as the eastbound freight continues its journey across the Southern Tier. © Mike Stellpflug

Fresh from the paint shop, Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420 leads a southbound freight past WC Cabin in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in May 1980. © Geoffrey Hubbs

Freshly repainted Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420 leads a southbound freight beneath the signal bridge at MX Cabin, Mohawk Yard, New York, in September 1980. Still carrying its blue and yellow paint scheme, the locomotive heads a consist of blue D&H power as it departs the yard. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420 stands at the railroad’s engine facility at Mechanicville, New York, in May 1981. Built by EMD in November 1974 as Reading No. 3420, the locomotive joined the Delaware & Hudson in April 1976, becoming one of the railroad’s forty GP39-2s and an important part of its road locomotive fleet. A crew member leans into the open engine-room doorway, offering a glimpse of everyday servicing. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420 leads a southbound freight paused at the approach signal to XO at Mechanicville, New York, in June 1981. Trailing are D&H GE U23Bs Nos. 2301 and 2309, while a former Reading boxcar, patched into Delaware & Hudson service following, is visible immediately behind the locomotives. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420 leads sister locomotive No. 7403 past Ushers at Halfmoon, New York, on 19 September 1982. The pair are followed by Boston & Maine GP40-2 No. 311, Maine Central GP38 No. 259 and Delaware & Hudson GP38-2 No. 7323, creating an impressive five-unit consist representative of the close operating relationship between the Delaware & Hudson, Boston & Maine and Maine Central during the early 1980s. © Glen Perry

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420, the first former Reading locomotive to receive Guilford’s “Big G” paint scheme, rests at Conrail’s Enola Yard, Pennsylvania, on 9 July 1985 while awaiting its next assignment. The sea of blue Conrail locomotives beyond provides a striking contrast to the lone Guilford unit. © Citizen of the Galaxy

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7420, formerly Reading No. 3420, poses outside the Colonie Shops at Colonie, New York, on 19 July 1985. By this time, the locomotive had received Guilford Transportation Industries’ distinctive “Big G” livery following the company’s acquisition of the D&H the previous year. © Howard Kent Jr.

Delaware & Hudson GP39-2 No. 7618 stands with other D&H power at Bevier Street in Binghamton, New York, on 10 August 1980. Alongside is Norfolk & Western GP9 No. 2486, while another D&H locomotive from the 7600 series can be seen among the power behind. The scene captures the variety of motive power that could be found around Binghamton during this period. © Mike Stellpflug

No.	Serial	Built	Livery	Notes	Photographs	Modelling
7401	7464-01	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least October 1978. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least June 1980 until at least July 1986. Delaware & Hudson Lightning Stripe from at least June 1988.	Built as RDG #3401, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #370, rebuilt by M-K at Mountaintop, PA in 6/1990. Sold 1991.	RRPA
7402	7464-02	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least April 1977. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least March 1979 until at least June 1987. Guilford Grey from at least August 1987.	Built as RDG #3402, to D&H on 4/1/1976. Sold 1991.	RRPA	Atlas Reading (Green/Yellow) 3402 40 003 842 / 40 003 855. Atlas Delaware & Hudson (Blue/Yellow) 40 005 903 / 40 005 916
7403	7464-03	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least August 1976. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least December 1979 until at least June 1985. Delaware & Hudson Lightning Stripe from at least July 1990. Never wore Guilford paint.	Built as RDG #3403, to D&H on 4/1/1976, rebuilt by M-K at Mountaintop, PA in 6/1990. Sold 1991.	RRPA
7404	7464-04	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least January 1977. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least May 1977 until at least May 1986. Guilford Grey as 373 by June 1988.	Built as RDG #3404, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #373. Sold 1991.	RRPA / RRPA
7405	7464-05	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least July 1978. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least July 1979 until at least September 1985. Guildford Grey as 7405 by August 1987. As 374 by March 1988.	Built as RDG #3405, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #374. Sold 1991.	BL RRPA RRPA
7406	7464-06	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least February 1980. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least July 1980 until at least April 1986. Guildford Grey as 7405 by June 1988.	Built as RDG #3406, to D&H on 4/1/1976. Sold 1991.	RRPA
7407	7464-07	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least February 1980. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow from at least July 1980 until at least April 1986. Never wore Guilford paint.	Built as RDG #3407, to D&H on 4/1/1976, rebuilt by M-K at Mountaintop, PA in 6/1990. Sold 1991.	BL RRPA
7408	7464-08	11/1974	Reading Green & Yellow until at least April 1977. Delaware & Hudson Blue & Yellow by April 1979 until at least…	Built as RDG #3408, to D&H on 4/1/1976. Sold 1991.	Link / RRPA	Atlas Reading (Green/Yellow) 3402 40 003 843 / 40 003 856.
7409	7464-09	11/1974	Never wore Guilford paint. Sold 1991.	Built as RDG #3409, to D&H on 4/1/1976	RRPA
7410	7464-10	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least February 1989. Never wore Guilford paint.	Built as RDG #3410, to D&H on 4/1/1976. Sold 1991.	BL RRPA
7411	7464-11	11/1974	Sold 1991.	Built as RDG #3411, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #380	RRPA
7412	7464-12	11/1974	Patched Reading Green & Yellow until at least April 1980. Never wore Guilford paint. Sold 1991	Built as RDG #3412, to D&H on 4/1/1976	RRPA
7413	7464-13	11/1974	Sold 1991.	Built as RDG #3413, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #382	RRPA	Atlas Guilford Grey/Orange 40 003 846 / 440 003 859
7414	7464-14	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3414, to D&H on 4/1/1976	RRPA
7415	7464-15	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3415, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #384	RRPA	Atlas Guilford Grey/Orange 40 003 847 / 440 003 860
7416	7464-16	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3416, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #385	RRPA
7417	7464-17	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3417, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #386	RRPA
7418	7464-18	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3418, to D&H on 4/1/1976, rebuilt by M-K at Mountaintop, PA in 6/1990	RRPA
7419	7464-19	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3419, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #388	RRPA
7420	7464-20	11/1974	sold 1991	Built as RDG #3420, to D&H on 4/1/1976, to Guilford #389	RRPA	Atlas Delaware & Hudson (Blue/Yellow) 40 005 904 / 40 005 917
7601	756126-01	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #361	RRPA
7602	756126-02	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #362	RRPA
7603	756126-03	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #363	Link RRPA
7604	756126-04	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #364	RRPA
7605	756126-05	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #365	RRPA
7606	756126-06	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #366	RRPA
7607	756126-07	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #367	RRPA
7608	756126-08	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #368	Link RRPA
7609	756126-09	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #369	Link RRPA
7610	756126-10	4/1976	Until July 1983	To Guilford #350. Sold 1984	RRPA
7611	756126-11	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #360	RRPA
7612	756126-12	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #352	RRPA
7613	756126-13	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #353	RRPA
7614	756126-14	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #354	RRPA
7615	756126-15	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #355	RRPA
7616	756126-16	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #356	RRPA
7617	756126-17	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #357	RRPA
7618	756126-18	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #358	RRPA
7619	756126-19	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #359	RRPA
7620	756126-20	4/1976	sold 1984	To Guilford #351	RRPA

Boston & Maine

Former D&H units

No.	Serial	Livery	Photographs	Modelling
350	756126-10	Guilford by January 1984.	RRPA	Atlas Guilford Grey/Orange 40 005 905 / 40 005 918
351	756126-20		RRPA
352	756126-12	12	RRPA
353	756126-13	16	RRPA
354	756126-14	19	RRPA
355	756126-15	11	RRPA
356	756126-16	20	RRPA
357	756126-17	21	RRPA
358	756126-18	14	RRPA	Atlas Guilford Grey/Orange 40 005 906 / 40 005 919
359	756126-19	12	RRPA
360	756126-11	19	RRPA
361	756126-1	23	RRPA
362	756126-2	26	RRPA
363	756126-3	20	RRPA
364	756126-4	35	RRPA
365	756126-5	19	RRPA
366	756126-6	32	RRPA
367	756126-7	23	RRPA
368	756126-8	28	RRPA
369	756126-9	15	RRPA

Delaware & Hudson

Boston & Maine

Modelling

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