HO GP38-2 Locomotive, MILW #354 Overview
In the early 1970's the Milwaukee Road found that it needed to replace their aging fleet of low-horsepower switching fleet due to the rising costs of maintenance. They intended to replace them with their GP9's. But they needed replacements for the GP9's in local service so they purchased two groups of new EMD GP38-2's. The first group, #'s 350-355 were built in June 1973 without dynamic brakes. The 2nd group came in the fall of 1974 with dynamic brakes and were assigned to their western extension until it was embargoed and then abandoned in 1980.
By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38's engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38-2 was the introduction of the âdash 2â modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38-2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today.