The EMD GP39-2 is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Motors Electro-Motive Division between 1974 and 1984. 239 examples of this locomotive were built for American railroads. Part of the EMD Dash 2 line, the GP39-2 was an upgraded GP39. The power for this locomotive was provided by a turbocharged 12-cylinder 12-645E3 diesel engine, which could produce .

Unlike the original GP39, which sold only 23 examples as railroads preferred the reliable non-turbocharged GP38, the GP39-2 was reasonably successful, ascribed to its better fuel economy relative to the GP38-2, which became of more interest in the 1970s energy crisis, and to its better performance at altitude.

Original owners

The GP39-2 sold to five railroads and two industrial operators:

Rebuilds

As of July 2026, Union Pacific has rebuilt 14 of their GP39-2's into GP39Ns at the Downing B. Jenks shops in North Little Rock, Arkansas.. These units received a microprocessor control system to increase adhesion, control options, and extend the life of the locomotive.

Preservation

One GP39-2 is preserved as of 2026:

• Reading Company #3412 is preserved as CSX #4317 at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum in Hamburg, Pennsylvania. It was donated by CSX in 2019. The locomotive is undergoing restoration to its original appearance.

References

External links

• Sarberenyi, Robert. EMD GP39-2 Original Owners