EMD SD38

These are N scale 3D printable files for the EMD SD38 — one of the most underappreciated and undermodeled diesel locomotives in North American railroad history. Designed to fit on a Kato SD40 frame.

The SD38 was produced by Electro-Motive Division (EMD) between 1967 and 1971 as a medium-horsepower road switcher aimed at railroads that needed reliable, fuel-efficient power for branch line, industrial, and hump yard service rather than the raw horsepower of a mainline locomotive. Powered by the EMD 16-645E prime mover producing 2,000 horsepower, the SD38 sat below the ubiquitous SD40 in the EMD lineup but offered excellent low-speed tractive effort and outstanding reliability — qualities that made it a favorite for switching and local freight work. Only 83 units were built in total, making the SD38 one of the rarer members of the SD family and a subject largely absent from the commercial N scale market.

This set covers four prototype railroads, each with their own story:

• MR — McCloud River Railroad: A classic Northern California short line operating in the shadow of Mount Shasta, the McCloud River Railroad served the timber and lumber industry of Siskiyou County for over a century. Its remote, heavily forested territory and dramatic mountain scenery made it one of the most picturesque short lines in the American West, and its SD38s were among the most powerful locomotives ever to work the line.
• EJE — Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway: The "J" — as it was known to railroaders — was a belt line railroad encircling Chicago, connecting the steel mills, industrial plants, and interchange points of the greater Chicago metropolitan area without entering the congested terminal railroads of the city itself. The EJE's SD38s were workhorses of the industrial Midwest, moving steel and raw materials through the heart of American manufacturing.
• DTI — Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad: A mid-sized Midwestern railroad connecting Detroit's automotive industry with Toledo and the Ohio river valley, the DTI was an important link in the supply chain of the American auto industry. Its SD38s handled the steady flow of auto parts and finished vehicles that kept Detroit's assembly lines running.
• PC — Penn Central: The ill-fated merger of the Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central in 1968 created the largest railroad bankruptcy in American history, but Penn Central's SD38s soldiered on through the chaos, working the dense industrial territory of the Northeast until Conrail absorbed the railroad in 1976.

Model variants include Dynamic Brakes, Dynamic Brakes with Air Filters, No Dynamic Brakes, and No Dynamic Brakes with Air Filters — covering the major as-built and rebuilt configurations seen across the SD38 fleet.

After purchase, your digital files will be available for immediate direct download from your order confirmation. These files are for Personal Use Only — if you are interested in a commercial license, please contact us.

Please allow a few weeks for 3D printing and shipping. Decals are shipped separately — please allow some additional time for decal printing and shipping after ordering.