Erie Lackawanna SDP-45

The EL SDP-45 were purchased as a fast freight locomotive. The "P" in the designation indicates a passenger engine by EMD. However, the EL purchased these engines for their extra length frame which was used to carry additional fuel in a longer fuel tank. This extra fuel permitted unrefuel trips between New York and Chicago. These locomotives were purchased during the N&W period and were setup for operation in both directions with duel control stands.

Locomotives purchased in the second group, 3654-3668, did not have dual controls. The first set of SDP-45 were purchased while until N&W control, a road that used dual control locomotives.

Updated by Ben Miller


There are also some conflicting stories about the two SDP45 to 45-2 rebuilds in the Erie Lackawanna in Color series. These units were not rebuilt by EMD. Hornell rebuilt them from parts supplied by EMD. The 3667 received a new hood however the 3557 received an entirely new carbody and a -2 electrial cabinet.

John Armstrong


My records show all N&W financed EL SDP45s 3635-3653 were returned to N&W in 1984, and were all traded-in to EMD on NS's first batch of SD-60s in 1985. All units of this batch were included, except 3637 wrecked 9/75 and 3639 (CR 6670), donated to a Museum in Roanoke. I am unaware if any of the trade-ins escaped the backlot or not. I presume not.

Source unknown

Connection between 2 SDP-45s Note wheel bearing on left unit. {Photo by Ray Scott}


Erie Lackawanna
EMD Locomotive Roster
SDP-45 Road Freight
EL Class MFE-36D-6A
Number CR Nbr Bldr NbrBld DateNotes
3635 6667 34976 6-69 - NW 6667 retired 09/85
3636 6668 34977 6-69 - NW 6668 retired 11/85
3637 34978 6-69 - wrecked on EL @ Delaware Water Gap, returned to N&W - reblt to slug class RP-E6 12/76 9920 (NW 9950) retired 05/90
3638 6669 34979 6-69 - NW 6669 - retired 11/85
3639 6670 34980 6-69 - NW 6669 retired 11/85 - At Museum of Transportation - Roanoke CA
3640 6671 34981 6-69 - NW 6670 retired 10/86
3641 6672 34982 6-69 - NW 6671 retired 11/85
3642 6673 34983 6-69 - NW 6672 retired 10/86
3643 6674 34984 6-69 - NW 6673 retired 11/85
3644 6675 34985 6-69 - NW 6674 retired 11/85
3645 6676 34986 6-69 - NW 6675 retired 04/85
3646 6677 34987 6-69
3647 6678 34988 6-69 - NW 6678 retired 09/85
3648 6679 34989 6-69 - NW 6679 retired 04/85
3649 6680 34990 6-69 - NW 6680 retired 11/85
3650 6681 34991 6-69 - NW 6681 retired 10/86
3651 6682 34992 6-69 - NW 6682 retired 07/86
3652 6683 34993 6-69 - NW 6683 retired 09/85
3653 6684 34994 6-69 - NW 6684 retired 11/85
3654 6685 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - reblt to 3000hp - to SP 8691 1/95
3655 6686 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - to MK 9510 - to HLCX 6515 (SD-40-3)
3656 6687 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - to MK 9511 - Helm leasing # 7002 - To Wisconsin Central 6634 (4/97)
3657 6688 34994 6-69 - Wrecked 11/11/73 rebuilt as SD-45-2 1974 - See SD-45-2 for detailed photos - to MK 9512 - to HLCX 7011 - to MRL 332
3658 6689 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV 6689 - scrapped
3659 6690 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - reblt 3000hp - to SP 8696 1/95 (SD-40M-2)
3660 6691 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - to MK 9513 - scrapped
3661 6692 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - to MK 9514 - scrapped
3662 6693 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - reblt to 3000hp - to SP 8695 1/95 (SD-40M-2)
3663 6694 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - scrapped
3664 6695 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor 1/84 - VMV - to MKCX 9515
3665 6696 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - reblt to 3000hp - to SP 8694 1/95 (SD-40M-2)
3666 6697 34994 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - reblt to 3000hp - to SP 8693 1/95 (SD-40M-2)
3667 6698 34994 6-69 - Wrecked 11/22/73, rebuilt as SD-45-2 1974 returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV - to MK 9516 -scrapped
3668 6699 34995 6-69 - returned to lessor l/84 - to VMV -reblt to 3000hp - to SP 8692 1/95 (SD-40M-2)

Last Updated - 20 Jan 2021