search
Get Started
search

swap_horiz EMD SD38 Alternatives

Looking for alternatives to EMD SD38? Compare the top Locomotive options ranked by our AI scoring system.

You're looking at alternatives to:
EMD SD38

EMD SD38

The EMD SD38 is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors between 1967 and 1972. Rated at 2,000 horsepower, it was designed primarily for heavy switching duties and local freight operations where high tractive effort was more important than s...

7.0 Good

apps Top EMD SD38 Alternatives

The top alternative to EMD SD38 in 2026 is EMD SD40-2 with a score of 9.5/10, followed by Electro-Motive Diesel FT (9.4) and EMD FT (9.0).

1
EMD SD40-2

EMD SD40-2

The EMD SD40-2 is a widely used American six-axle diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by General Motors’ Electro-Mot...

Ubiquitous Diesel Freight Emd
9.5 Brilliant
2
Electro-Motive Diesel FT

Electro-Motive Diesel FT

The Electro-Motive Corporation FT was a diesel-electric freight locomotive introduced in 1939. Built as an A-B semi-perm...

American Diesel Freight Emd
9.4 Excellent
3
EMD FT

EMD FT

The EMD FT was a pioneering diesel-electric locomotive built by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division. Notably, it rep...

Pioneer Diesel Freight Emd
9.0 Excellent
4
GE C44-9W (Dash 9)

GE C44-9W (Dash 9)

The GE C44-9W, often called the Dash 9, is a heavy-duty diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by General Electric. It’...

Diesel Ge Freight Six Axle
9.0 Excellent
5
EMD GP38-2

EMD GP38-2

The EMD GP38-2 is a common diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by General Motors Diesel (EMD) between 1972 and 1986....

Diesel Freight Common Emd
8.8 Great
6
EMD SD70ACe

EMD SD70ACe

The EMD SD70ACe is a modern six-axle diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by General Motors Diesel (EMD). Introduced...

Modern Diesel Freight Emd
8.7 Great
7
GE ES44AC

GE ES44AC

The GE ES44AC is a six-axle, AC-traction diesel-electric freight locomotive produced by GE Transportation as part of its...

Diesel Ge Freight Evolution Series
8.6 Great
8
EMD SD70M-2

EMD SD70M-2

The EMD SD70M-2 is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive manufactured by Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD). Introduced...

Diesel Freight Union Pacific Emd
8.3 Great
9
GE ET44AC (GEVO)

GE ET44AC (GEVO)

The GE ET44AC is a heavy-haul diesel-electric freight locomotive manufactured by GE Transportation (later Wabtec) and in...

American Diesel Freight Six Axle
8.3 Great
10
EMD SD45

EMD SD45

General Motors Electro-Motive Division 3,600-horsepower diesel-electric locomotive produced from 1965 to 1971, powered b...

Diesel Freight Emd Six Axle
8.2 Great
11
Indian Railways WDG-4

Indian Railways WDG-4

The Indian Railways WDG-4 is a heavy freight diesel-electric locomotive built using technology from Electro-Motive Diese...

Diesel Freight Indian Railways Emd
7.9 Good
12
EMD SD60

EMD SD60

The EMD SD60 is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Mot...

Diesel Freight Microprocessor Emd
7.8 Good
13
EMD GP35

EMD GP35

The EMD GP35 is a four-axle diesel-electric road-switcher locomotive produced by the Electro-Motive Division of General...

American General Purpose Diesel Freight
7.6 Good
14
EMD SD60M

EMD SD60M

Introduced in 1989, the EMD SD60M is an American six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive built by General Motors Ele...

American Diesel Freight Emd
7.4 Good
15
GE C30-7

GE C30-7

The GE C30-7 is a six-axle diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by GE Transportation as part of its Dash 7 series. Pr...

American Diesel Ge Freight
7.3 Good
16
GE C36-7

GE C36-7

The GE C36-7 is a six-axle, 3,600-horsepower diesel-electric freight locomotive manufactured by GE Transportation in the...

American Diesel Ge Freight
7.1 Good
17
Alco C-628

Alco C-628

The Alco C-628 is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive introduced by the American Locomotive Company in 1963. P...

American Diesel Freight Six Axle
6.9 Fair
18
EMD SD80MAC

EMD SD80MAC

The EMD SD80MAC is a six-axle, alternating-current diesel-electric freight locomotive built by Electro-Motive Division i...

American Diesel Freight Emd
6.8 Fair
19
EMD GP18

EMD GP18

Launched in 1959, the EMD GP18 is an American four-axle B-B diesel-electric locomotive that succeeded the GP9. Manufactu...

American General Purpose Diesel Freight
6.7 Fair
20
EMD SD90MAC

EMD SD90MAC

The EMD SD90MAC is a six-axle diesel-electric freight locomotive developed by Electro-Motive Division in the 1990s. It w...

Diesel Freight Emd High Horsepower
6.2 Fair

summarize Quick Comparison Summary

Alternative Score vs EMD SD38 Action
EMD SD40-2
EMD SD40-2
Locomotive Ubiquitous Diesel Freight
9.5 Brilliant +2.5 Compare
Electro-Motive Diesel FT
Electro-Motive Diesel FT
Locomotive American Diesel Freight
9.4 Excellent +2.4 Compare
EMD FT
EMD FT
Locomotive Pioneer Diesel Freight
9.0 Excellent +2.0 Compare
GE C44-9W (Dash 9)
GE C44-9W (Dash 9)
Locomotive Diesel Ge Freight
9.0 Excellent +2.0 Compare
EMD GP38-2
EMD GP38-2
Locomotive Diesel Freight Common
8.8 Great +1.8 Compare
EMD SD70ACe
EMD SD70ACe
Locomotive Modern Diesel Freight
8.7 Great +1.7 Compare
GE ES44AC
GE ES44AC
Locomotive Diesel Ge Freight
8.6 Great +1.6 Compare
EMD SD70M-2
EMD SD70M-2
Locomotive Diesel Freight Union Pacific
8.3 Great +1.3 Compare
GE ET44AC (GEVO)
GE ET44AC (GEVO)
Locomotive American Diesel Freight
8.3 Great +1.3 Compare
EMD SD45
EMD SD45
Locomotive Diesel Freight Emd
8.2 Great +1.2 Compare

See all Locomotive ranked by score

emoji_events View Full Locomotive Rankings

help Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to EMD SD38?
The top alternatives to EMD SD38 in 2026 include EMD SD40-2, Electro-Motive Diesel FT, EMD FT, GE C44-9W (Dash 9), EMD GP38-2. Each offers unique features and is objectively scored on Lunoo to help you compare.
How does EMD SD38 compare to its competitors?
Our AI-powered comparison system analyzes features, pricing, user reviews, and expert opinions to provide objective scores. EMD SD38 scores 7.0/10. Click any alternative above to see a detailed side-by-side comparison.
Is EMD SD38 worth it in 2026?
EMD SD38 scores 7.0/10 in the Locomotive category. We recommend comparing it with the 20 alternatives listed above to find the best fit for your needs.
What is the best free alternative to EMD SD38?
Several alternatives to EMD SD38 offer free plans or free tiers. Check the alternatives listed above and visit their websites to compare pricing and free options.
Why should I switch from EMD SD38?
Common reasons users look for EMD SD38 alternatives include pricing, specific feature gaps, better integration needs, or simply exploring newer options. Our objective scoring helps you compare without bias.
How many alternatives to EMD SD38 are there?
Lunoo currently lists 20 scored alternatives to EMD SD38 in the Locomotive category, ranked by our AI-powered evaluation system.
Which EMD SD38 alternative has the highest rating?
EMD SD40-2 currently holds the highest rating among EMD SD38 alternatives with a score of 9.5/10.
Can I use EMD SD40-2 instead of EMD SD38?
EMD SD40-2 is one of the top-rated alternatives to EMD SD38. While they serve similar purposes in the Locomotive space, each has distinct strengths. Use our comparison tool above for a detailed side-by-side analysis.
What is the cheapest alternative to EMD SD38?
Pricing varies among EMD SD38 alternatives. We recommend checking each alternative's website for current pricing. Many options in the Locomotive category offer free tiers or competitive pricing.
How are EMD SD38 alternatives ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo uses an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value to provide 0 to 10 scores. Rankings are updated continuously.
EMD SD38 vs EMD SD40-2: which is better?
EMD SD38 scores 7.0/10 while EMD SD40-2 scores 9.5/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
EMD SD38 vs Electro-Motive Diesel FT: which is better?
EMD SD38 scores 7.0/10 while Electro-Motive Diesel FT scores 9.4/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.
EMD SD38 vs EMD FT: which is better?
EMD SD38 scores 7.0/10 while EMD FT scores 9.0/10 on Lunoo. The best choice depends on your specific needs. Use our detailed comparison tool for a full breakdown.

Compare Items

See how they stack up against each other

Comparing
VS
Select 1 more item to compare