Hustle Muscle
The GNRHS is proud to own the first production EMD SD45, former Great Northern SD45 #400 'Hustle Muscle'. It is kept in operating condition and sees occasional use at conventions and special events.
History
GN 400 'Hustle Muscle' was the first 3600 h.p. turbo-charged 20 cylinder 645E3 production model EMD SD45 diesel electric locomotive built.
GN 400 was delivered in May 1966 to the Minneapolis Junction Roundhouse in St. Paul, MN and was christened 'Hustle Muscle' by the Great Northern Railway. In 1970, this locomotive became Burlington Northern 6430. In September 1973 '6430' underwent Class One repairs at Livingston, Montana and was repainted in cascade green. At the request of numerous railfans and employees, '6430' retained its 'Hustle Muscle' nickname.
In 1986, '6430' was retired and donated to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society. In 1989, '6430' was repainted to its original GN 400 paint scheme at Grand Forks, ND. GN 400 was then stored at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, MN.
In mid-December 2000, GN 400 made the trip from Duluth to St. Paul. It was on display at the BNSF Northtown Diesel Shop (Minneapolis, MN) and then at the MTM Jackson Street Roundhouse in St. Paul, MN.
In 2006 our big SD45 received a great new paintjob at the Wisconsin & Southern shop in Horicon, Wisconsin.
In late 2019 GN 400 moved back to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, where it runs regularly.
Locomotive Data
Detailed data on 'Hustle Muscle' can be found in the GN 400 Datasheet courtesy of Ron Erickson, and the SD-45 diagram.
Historic Photos
Hustle Muscle today
'Hustle Muscle' is on indefinite custodial loan to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, MN. GN 400 is kept in operating condition and utilized on excursions up the north shore of Lake Superior. See the Hustle Muscle in Action page for some of her past appearances.
For the 2015 and 2016 season 'Hustle Muscle' operated on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Ry. in Osceola, WI.
