GE Dash 8 Series

Last updated
GE Dash 8 Series
CSX 7689 GE C40-8W.jpg
CSX GE C40-8W #7689.
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder GE Transportation
Build date1983–1994
Specifications
Configuration:
   AAR B-B (B32-8, B39-8, B40-8, B40-8W)
C-C (C32-8, C39-8, C40-8, C40-8M, C40-8W, C41-8W, C44-8W)
Gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), Brazil
Length66 ft 4 in (20.22 m) (B40-8W)
70 ft 8 in (21.54 m) (C40-8W)
Fuel capacity3,150 US gal (11,900 L; 2,620 imp gal) (B40-8W)
4,600 US gal (17,400 L; 3,830 imp gal) (C40-8W)
Prime mover GE 7FDL
Engine type 4-stroke diesel engine
Aspiration Turbocharged
Cylinders V12 or V16
Performance figures
Power output3,200  hp (2,390 kW) (B32-8, C32-8)
3,900  hp (2,910 kW) (B39-8, C39-8)
4,000  hp (2,980 kW) (B40-8, B40-8W, C40-8, C40-8M, C40-8W)
4,100  hp (3,060 kW) (C41-8W)
4,400  hp (3,280 kW) (C44-8W)
Career
OperatorsVarious
Locale North America, Brazil
[1] [2]

The Dash 8 Series is a line of diesel-electric freight locomotives built by GE Transportation. It replaced the Dash 7 Series in the mid-1980s, and was superseded by the Dash 9 Series for freight usage and the Genesis Series for passenger usage in the mid-1990s.

Contents

All models of the Dash 8 Series are powered by a 16- or 12-cylinder, turbocharged, GE 7FDL 4-stroke diesel engine.

Specifications

The design of the Dash 8 Series is based upon that of the Dash 7 Series. The biggest changes introduced during the production of the Dash 8 Series were the first use of a microprocessor-equipped engine control unit in a diesel locomotive, and the adoption of a modular system in the construction of the vehicle body.

The Dash 8 locomotive bodies were assembled from several modules, creating a combination to fit the length of the chassis. On models with a traditional narrow short hood, the part of the equipment room immediately behind the cab is taller than the top of the rounded cab roof, giving those models a distinctive appearance. On all models, that part of the equipment room houses the cooling fans for the dynamic braking system.

Traction motors of Dash 8 locomotives were powered by direct current.

Construction history

The Dash 8 prototype was completed in 1984. Manufacture of the improved production units started in earnest in 1987. Early versions of the Dash 8 were manufactured on the Dash 7 production line, but their general appearance was different. The Dash 8-40C, introduced in 1987, featured improved reliability.

Nomenclature

The naming of the Dash 8 Series, and that of its various models, corresponded initially with that of its predecessor, the Dash 7. So, for example, "B32-8" designated a B-B configured 3,200  hp (2,390 kW) Dash 8 Series locomotive.

After product improvements were made to the line in 1987, the official designations for models in this series changed to "Dash 8...", as shown below. However, for simplicity many railroads decided to use designations which follow the pattern of the Dash 7 line. For example, the Dash 8-40C is usually rendered as "C40-8".

The "W" suffix used for some models indicates the then-optional wide-nose "North American" safety cab.

Four axle models

Common features

Specifications common to all Dash 8 Series four axle models are as follows:

Dash 8-32B/BWH (B32-8)

An NS B32-8 at Hinman Yard. NS Loco No.3524.jpg
An NS B32-8 at Hinman Yard.

This model was manufactured between 1984 and 1989, with 49 examples of the model built for North American railroads. All but 4 of these units were ordered by Norfolk Southern. The others were 3 units ordered by Burlington Northern Railroad, and a GE demonstrator unit.

Dash 8-36B (B36-8)

This model, a one-off, was the original Dash 8 prototype, built in 1983.

Dash 8-39B (B39-8)

An SP B39-8 leads a westbound train through Eola, Illinois (just east of Aurora). SP 8033 19921006 IL Eola.jpg
An SP B39-8 leads a westbound train through Eola, Illinois (just east of Aurora).

A total of 145 examples of this model were manufactured from 1984. Its external appearance is almost the same as that of the later Dash 8-40B model, with the obvious exception of the trucks.

The first three Dash 8-39Bs were built for Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (ATSF). A fourth example of the model, a GE demonstrator designated as a Dash 8-39BE (or B39-8E), was converted from the original Dash 8 prototype.

There were also two much larger groups of this model: 102 Dash 8-39BEs were fabricated for Locomotive Management Services (Reporting mark: LMX) and placed on long term lease to Burlington Northern Railroad.

The remaining 40 were built for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Dash 8-40B (B40-8)

UP B40-8B, #1869. UP1869.jpg
UP B40-8B, #1869.

In 1988 and 1989, a total of 150 units of this model were produced.

Substantial orders for the model came from ATSF (40 units), Conrail (30 units), New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway (24 units), and the model's biggest customer, St. Louis Southwestern Railway (54 units).

There were also small orders from Providence and Worcester Railroad (4 units), the United States Department of Energy (Savannah River Site), and a GE demonstrator unit.

Dash 8-40BW (B40-8W)

A BNSF B40-8BW in former ATSF livery. GE Dash 8-40BW BNSF 566.jpg
A BNSF B40-8BW in former ATSF livery.

Eighty three examples of this model were built for ATSF in the early 1990s. ATSF was the only railroad to order it. There was also one GE prototype and testbed, rebuilt from the prototype B39-8E.

The "W" suffix to this model's name indicates that it differs from the B40-8 in having a "wide nose" safety cab.

GE was almost commissioned by ATSF to make a B unit (cabless booster unit) version of this model, but because the price would have been the same for B40-8Ws with cabs or without, ATSF decided to order units with cabs only.

All of ATSF's B40-8Ws became part of BNSF, and many were later reliveried into one of BNSF's liveries.

Some have since been sold to other operators.

Dash 8-32BWH (B32-8WH)

Amtrak No. 505 leading the Sunset Limited through Cade, Louisiana GE Dash 8-32BWH.jpg
Amtrak No. 505 leading the Sunset Limited through Cade, Louisiana

A total of 20 units of this type were built, with the last units being delivered in December 1991. All were built specifically for Amtrak and numbered 500 through 519. They were nicknamed "Pepsi Cans" and "Hockey Sticks" by many railfans, due to being originally painted in a wide-striped red, white, and blue livery. Since the most recent overhaul, however, the locomotives now have the current Phase V blue-silver livery with the current "wave" logo.

They were also the first locomotives that Amtrak purchased to replace the EMD F40PH before the introduction of the GE Genesis series locomotives in 1993. The fleet has since been primarily relegated to yard switching (mainly in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, and Miami), but locomotives are sometimes called upon to pull mainline trains when a locomotive from Amtrak's fleet of GE Genesis and Siemens Charger units are unavailable.

Two of the units, Amtrak numbers #501 and #502, were sold to the California Department of Transportation (CDTX) In 1994. The locomotives were renumbered #2051 and #2052, and received the Amtrak California paint scheme. They are currently being used on the State-Supported San Joaquin and Capital Corridor trains.

Six axle models

Common features

Specifications common to all Dash 8 Series six axle models, except where stated, are as follows:

Dash 8-32C (C32-8)

The BF C32-8, ex-Conrail, 2007. GE C32-8 BF 9339.JPG
The BF C32-8, ex-Conrail, 2007.

This was one of the earliest models in the Dash 8 Series. Only 10 of the model were built, in 1984. All of them were delivered to Conrail.

Initially, these units were painted in Conrail's standard blue livery. In 1997, Conrail assigned all 10 of them to "Ballast Express" service, and they were repainted into a gray version of the Quality scheme.

One C32-8 was eventually bought by Brasil Ferrovias (BF), after being retired by Conrail. However, this unit developed problems with its electronics, and was therefore decommissioned to supply parts for the mechanically similar C30-7As operated on the Cutralle–Quintela railroad.

Dash 8-39C (C39-8)

An NREC C39-8. NREX 7483.jpg
An NREC C39-8.

Between 1984 and 1987, a total of 161 examples of this model were produced for two North American railroads: Norfolk Southern and Conrail.

An initial batch of 114 of the standard version of this model was built for Norfolk Southern, which then ordered a batch of 25 examples of the C39-8E (Enhanced) model, with a carbody similar to that of the C40-8.

Conrail ordered 22 of the standard version. After the Conrail split in 1999, 13 units of this order went to Norfolk Southern and the remaining 9 units went to CSX.

Dash 8-40C (C40-8)

C&NW C40-8 #8540. Chicago and Northwestern locomotive 8540.jpg
C&NW C40-8 #8540.

This was the first model of any locomotive series to be fitted with microprocessor-equipped engine control units. A total of 581 examples of the model were manufactured between 1987 and 1992.

The C40-8 has a traditional narrow short hood, but otherwise its external appearance is almost the same as that of the later Dash 8-40CW model.

The most important customer for this model was UP, which ordered 257 of them.

Other large orders for the model came from Chicago and North Western Transportation Company (77 units), Conrail (25), CSX (147) and Norfolk Southern (75).

The remaining four units were supplied to Estrada de Ferro Carajás of Brazil.

Dash 8-40CM (C40-8M)

A BC Rail C40-8M. BC Rail No. 4619.jpg
A BC Rail C40-8M.

Mechanically identical to the Dash 8-40C (see above) and Dash 8-40CW (see below), this model was constructed between 1990 and 1994 only for Canadian railways, with a production total of 84 units.

The model is distinguished from the Dash 8-40CW by the addition of a full-width cowl body and the use of a Canada-specific nose and windshield configuration.

BC Rail ordered 26 examples of the model, Canadian National ordered 55, and Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway acquired the remaining three.

Dash 8-40CW (C40-8W)

ATSF C40-8W, #805, in Los Angeles. ATSF 805 in LA 3-22-99.jpg
ATSF C40-8W, #805, in Los Angeles.

Early versions of this model differ from the Dash 8-40C only in having a "wide" or "safety" cab. A total of 756 examples of the model were built, with the first being delivered to Union Pacific in 1990.

The C40-8W was continuously upgraded over the course of its production. Later model Conrail units were built with split cooling systems for the turbocharger intercooler and engine cooling (previous Dash 8 series had both on the same cooling system).

The units delivered to Conrail in 1993 and 1994 were equipped with GE's Integrated Function Displays (IFD).

Some of the C40-8Ws operated by Conrail were lease units owned by LMSX. The other railroads that operated C40-8Ws as original owners were ATSF, CSX, and Union Pacific.

Dash 8-41CW (C41-8W)

UP C41-8W, #9481. UP 9481.jpg
UP C41-8W, #9481.

This model is a variation of the C40-8W with the same 16-cylinder engine uprated to 4,135  hp (3,080 kW).

A total of 154 C41-8Ws were produced between 1993 and 1994 for both UP and ATSF.

Some Dash 8-40CW units were similarly uprated to Dash 8-41CW standard by the railroads.

Dash 8-44CW (C44-8W)

A total of 53 examples of this model were built in 1993–1994, all of them for CSX numbered 9000-9052. This was the preproduction version of the Dash 9 series containing its innards but having an extended Dash 8 carbody (with the exception of the first three locomotives). They were all derated to 4000 hp.

See also

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References

Notes

  1. B40-8W Datasheet, The Diesel Shop
  2. C40-8W Datasheet, The Diesel Shop

Bibliography

  • Lamb, J. Parker (2007). Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive. Railroads Past and Present. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. ISBN   978-0-253-34863-0.
  • Halberstadt, Hans (1996). Modern Diesel Locomotives. Enthusiast Color Series. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing. ISBN   0-7603-0199-9.
  • McDonnell, Greg (2008). Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press. ISBN   978-1550464931.
  • Solomon, Brian (2000). The American Diesel Locomotive. Osceola, Wisconsin: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN   978-0-7603-0666-6.
  • Solomon, Brian (2003). GE Locomotives: 110 Years of General Electric Motive Power. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN   9780760313619.
  • Solomon, Brian (2010). Modern Locomotives: High Horsepower Diesels 1966–2000. New York: Crestline. ISBN   978-0785826811.
  • Solomon, Brian (2011). Modern Diesel Power. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press. ISBN   978-0-76-033943-5.
  • Solomon, Brian (2012). North American Locomotives: A Railroad-by-Railroad Photohistory. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN   978-0-7603-4370-8.