How Many and When?
The Rio Grande rostered a total of 26 examples of EMD's 3600-horsepower six-axle diesel electric locomotive.
The first 10 units were purchased in January-February 1967 and were numbered 5315-5324.
The second order included 16 more SD45s for the D&RGW and they arrived in the spring of 1968. The second delivery
of Rio Grande SD45 models carried roadnumbers 5325-5340.
Numbering System
The Rio Grande's numbering system generally followed a pattern of putting a new model in place right behind a previous
series of locos.
The 5300-series numbers on the Rio Grande start with SD7's #5300-5304 delivered in 1953. Next are the SD9's #5305-5314
arriving on property in 1957. The SD45's move in line next with #5315-5340 arriving first in 1967. Following the
SD45's, Rio Grande's tunnel motor SD40T-2's run from #5341-5413. Breaking tradition a bit, the Rio Grande skipped from
#5413 over to #5501 putting its SD50's at #5501-5517.
Model Variations
The first ten Rio Grande SD45 diesels have EMD's low brakes on their trucks. The second group of 16 all have high
brake cylindars on their trucks. All 26 feature the rear brake wheel feature. All 26 include a rather unique to
Rio Grande nose headlight.
