EMD Door Latch Assembly

[tony]

I'm curious,  did the EMD door latches used on GP30, 35 use a standard size on all compartment doors or were there variations in sizes?
How long did this standard last - up to the SD40-2 or beyond?

Does anyone have the width/length of these latches?

[12bridge]

With the exception of the very, very early GP7's, all EMD door latches are the same size. The newer ones have an extra bent "tab" on the handle portion.

Archer makes a fantastic decal version fwiw.  

[big train james]

I believe the latches are the same on the gp30's and gp35's as on later EMD locos, based on some photos I looked at. It's standard for nearly all doors on EMD locos, with some exceptions. The dynamic brake access doors on some sd40-2's have a different style latch, with a "T" shaped handle. This type of latch is also found on the left side sub-base doors on late EMD switchers like the sw1500 or mp15ac.



Interestingly, the right side sub-base doors on the switchers use the standard latches. Other small access doors like the sand box clean-out doors or the doors on the underside of numberboards also use the standard hatch.


The dimensions I have for the mounting flange for the standard latch are 7.25" high by 4.125" wide, with .500" radius fillets on the corners. Flange thickness is something like 5/32", although it's probably more likely specified by sheet metal gauge.

Jim

[tony]

Thank you! That looks like C&NW green and yellow. T-Handles - saw something like that on google search. Is the latch bar on the sides for what we're seeing in this image or latching up to the top? We need more details photos where the hatches and doors are opened. Along with photos where the long hoods are removed.

[big train james]

It is C&NW green and yellow - it's the C&NW sd40-2 at the Illinois Railway Museum.

The handle is a recessed T-handle latch, EMD part number 8324696.  That's about all the information that I can find on it.  It's a rotating latch rather than the over-center sprung standard latch. They are pretty common in all sorts of applications for things like utility truck doors, RV's, toolboxes, and all sorts of cabinets. Based on my understanding of how they work, when latched the tongue is rotated out so it is in line with the stem of the "T", on the opposite side from the crossing arm of the "T".

This Amazon listing has a video that shows the operation.

I will need this latch for my sw1500 project, so I'm going to need to figure out the size on it.

Jim

[12bridge]

James, I can get you that size. Remind me next week and we can go over a list of other stuff too.

EMD uses this latch on the door for the knife switches too, from GP9's right up through more modern stuff. Its way heavier duty then the regular slam lock style ones you see on trucks.

[big train james]

Mar 9, 2024 17:08:42 GMT -8 12bridge said:

James, I can get you that size. Remind me next week and we can go over a list of other stuff too.

Yes, looking forward to having a chat at the meet. Two weeks out, it will be here quickly since I've got the big 2-rail O scale show in Chicago starting on Thursday.