View source for GE Dash 8-32BWH

{{Short description|American diesel locomotive}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = GE Dash 8-32BWH
| image = GE Dash 8-32BWH.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Amtrak {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 505 leading the ''[[Sunset Limited]]'' through [[Cade, Louisiana]]
| powertype = [[Diesel-electric]]
| builder = [[GE Transportation Systems]]
| ordernumber = 
| serialnumber = 
| buildmodel = Dash 8-32BWH
| builddate = 1990–1991
| totalproduction = 20
| rebuilder = 
| rebuilddate = 
| numberrebuilt = 
| aarwheels = B-B
| uicclass = Bo'Bo'
| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| trucks = General Electric Floating Bolster (FB2)
| bogies = 
| wheeldiameter = {{convert|40|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| trailingdiameter = 
| minimumcurve = {{convert|150|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} / 39° (single unit) <br> {{convert|175|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} / 33° (coupled)
| wheelbase = {{convert|39|ft|8|in|2|abbr=on}} (between [[truck center]]s)
| length = {{convert|66|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|9|ft|11+1/4|in|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|15|ft|4|in|abbr=on}}
| axleload = {{convert|79148.3|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| weightondrivers = 100%
| locoweight = {{convert|274890|lb|kg|0|abbr=in}}
| fueltype = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]]
| fuelcap = {{convert|1800|USgal|abbr=on}}
| lubecap = {{convert|365|USgal|abbr=on}}
| coolantcap = {{convert|350|USgal|abbr=on}}
| watercap = 
| sandcap = {{convert|26|cuft|L|sp=us}}
| powersupply = 
| consumption = 
| watercons = 
| primemover = [[GE 7FDL-12]]
| rpmrange = 400-1,050 (720 or 900 when supplying HEP)
| enginetype = 45° [[V12 engine|V12]], [[four stroke cycle]]
| aspiration = [[turbocharger|Turbocharged]]
| displacement = {{convert|131.4|L|cuin|sp=us}}
| alternator = GMG 195A1
| generator = 
| tractionmotors = 4 GE 752AH DC traction motors
| headendpower = Alternator-driven [[head-end power]] (GTA 33A1)
| cylindercount = 12
| cylindersize = {{convert|10.95|L|cuin|sp=us}} <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chen |first1=Gong |last2=Flynn |first2=Paul L. |last3=Gallagher |first3=S. M. |last4=Dillen |first4=Eric R. |date=April 29, 2003 |title=Development of the Low-Emission GE-7FDL High-Power Medium-Speed Locomotive Diesel Engine |url=https://asmedigitalcollection.asme.org/gasturbinespower/article-abstract/125/2/505/447127 |journal=Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power |publisher=[[The American Society of Mechanical Engineers]] |volume=125 |issue=2|pages=505–512 |doi=10.1115/1.1563241 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
| transmission = AC-DC
| multipleworking = Yes
| maxspeed = {{convert|103|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}}
| poweroutput = {{convert|3,200|HP|MW|abbr=on}}
| tractiveeffort = ''Continuous:'' {{convert|38500|lbf|kgf|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} @{{convert|26|mph|0|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}
| factorofadhesion = 4.472
| trainheating = Locomotive-supplied [[head-end power]], {{convert|800|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
| locobrakes = [[Dynamic braking (locomotive)|Dynamic]] / [[Railway brake#Electropneumatic brakes|Electropneumatic]]
| locobrakeforce = 
| trainbrakes = Pneumatic
| safety = [[Federal Railroad Administration|FRA]] standards<br>[[ACSES]] II
| operator = {{Plainlist|
* [[Amtrak]]
* [[Amtrak California]]
}}
| operatorclass = 
| powerclass = 
| numinclass = 
| fleetnumbers = {{Plainlist|
* 500–519 (Amtrak)
* 2051–2052 (Caltrans)
}}
| officialname = 
| nicknames = Pepsi Cans
| axleloadclass = 
| locale = [[United States]]
| deliverydate = 1991
| firstrundate = 
| lastrundate = 
| retiredate = 
| withdrawndate = 
| preservedunits = 
| restoredate = 
| scrapdate = 
| currentowner = 
| disposition = Operational, used primarily for yard switching and backup motive power
| notes = 
}}
The '''GE Dash 8-32BWH''', also known as the '''P32-8BWH''', '''B32-8WH''', or '''P32-8''', is a [[diesel-electric locomotive]] used by [[Amtrak]] in passenger train service, based on the [[GE Dash 8 Series]] of freight train locomotives. Built in 1991, they were the first locomotives purchased to replace the [[EMD F40PH]]. Amtrak originally used the Dash{{Nbsp}}8's on mainline trains but later used them largely for [[Switching (rail)|switching]] in yards, only being used on mainline trains when newer [[GE Genesis]] locomotives were unavailable. As of 2023, 16 of the original 20 remain in service with Amtrak, including two owned by [[Caltrans]] for use on [[Amtrak California]] services.

== Design ==
The Dash 8-32BWH operates in a [[Diesel-electric transmission|diesel-electric]] configuration that uses [[direct current|DC]] to power the [[traction motor]]s, the 7FDL-V12 diesel engine produces {{convert|3200|hp|kW|abbr=on}} at 1047 [[Revolutions per minute|rpm]]. When providing [[head end power]] to the train, the engine is speed locked to 900 rpm. Power output to the traction motors is {{convert|2700|HP|kW|abbr=on}} when running in HEP mode with a 0&nbsp;kW HEP load. Traction horsepower decreases to {{convert|1685|HP|kW|abbr=on}} when providing the maximum {{convert|800|kW|hp|abbr=on}} HEP load to the train.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The Dash 8-32BWH has a 74:29 gear ratio, resulting in a maximum operating speed of {{convert|103|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} in passenger operation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amtrak |date=October 27, 2015 |title=Capital Investment Plan for Amtrak Equipment Deployed in State Corridor Service FY2016 – FY2020 |url=http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Documents/Amtrak-State_EQ_CAPEX_CIP_2016_FINAL_20151027.pdf |page=55 |access-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-date=November 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151109134842/http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Documents/Amtrak-State_EQ_CAPEX_CIP_2016_FINAL_20151027.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Lustig 2023">{{Cite web |last=Lustig |first=David |date=November 1, 2023 |title=Amtrak's Dash 8-32BWH |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/locomotives/amtraks-dash-8-32bwh/ |access-date=May 18, 2024 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Amtrak California P32-8WH (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|[[Amtrak California]] (CDTX) locomotive #2051 pulling the ''[[San Joaquins]]'' through [[Merced, California]].]]
[[File:San_Diegan_at_Simi_Valley_station,_January_24,_1992.jpg|left|thumb|Amtrak 506 in the original "Pepsi Can" livery with the ''[[San Diegan (train)|San Diegan]]'' in 1992]]

By 1990, Amtrak was looking to supplement its [[EMD F40PH]] fleet, which was beginning to show its age. Though Amtrak first explored the experimental [[EMD F69PHAC]], cost concerns prompted the company to pursue a modification of an existing freight locomotive instead.<ref name="Lustig 2023" /> Twenty GE Dash 8-32BWH locomotives were delivered to [[Amtrak]] in 1991, numbered 500 through 519 (two were funded by the [[California Department of Transportation]] for use in that state).<ref name="McDonnell 2002">{{Cite book |last=McDonnell |first=Greg |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm50411517 |title=Field guide to modern diesel locomotives |date=2002 |publisher=Kalmbach Publishing |isbn=978-0-89024-607-8 |location=Waukesha, Wisc |pages=34–35 |oclc=ocm50411517}}</ref> The locomotives were built by [[GE Transportation]] as a modification of their existing [[GE Dash 8-32B|Dash 8-32B]] with the addition of head-end power for supplying passenger cars, a [[comfort cab]], and a number of changes to locomotive internals to meet Amtrak's requirements for weight and performance.<ref name="McDonnell 2002" /> To provide enough room for a second alternator (to support head-end power generation) these locomotives were built on the frame of a [[GE Dash 8-40BW|Dash 8-40BW]].<ref name="McDonnell 2002" />

Amtrak decided its new locomotives should have a new paint scheme, and in the process considered over 100 possible designs.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Iverson |first=Lucas |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Five memorable Amtrak locomotives |url=https://www.trains.com/ctr/railroads/locomotives/five-memorable-amtrak-locomotives/ |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}</ref> The locomotives were delivered in a wide-striped red, white and blue [[livery]], which angled upward across the middle of the body.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://history.amtrak.com/archives/amtrak-livery-and-logo-guide-2018/@@download/item/Amtrak%20Livery%20and%20Logo%20Guide%202-8-19.pdf |title=Official Paint Scheme and Logo Branding Guide |date=February 2019 |publisher=Amtrak |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030082055/https://history.amtrak.com/archives/amtrak-livery-and-logo-guide-2018/@@download/item/Amtrak%20Livery%20and%20Logo%20Guide%202-8-19.pdf |archive-date=October 30, 2020 }}</ref> The similarity to the design of [[Pepsi]] packaging led to the units being nicknamed "Pepsi Cans".<ref name="solomon">{{Cite book |last=Solomon |first=Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JubUBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA130 |title=GE and EMD Locomotives: The Illustrated History |publisher=Voyageur Press |year=2014 |isbn=9780760346129 |page=130 |via=Google Books}}</ref>{{rp|108}} By 2023, all units had been repainted into a standard Amtrak scheme.<ref name="Lustig 2023" />

Originally used across the Amtrak system on passenger trains, 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.<ref name="Lustig 2023" /> Amtrak adopted the Genesis rather than the Dash 8-32BWH to fully replace its F40PH fleet, which was designed specifically for Amtrak as an all-new passenger locomotive.<ref name=":0" /> As of 2023, 16 Dash 8-32BWH locomotives remain in active service with Amtrak, which has held on to them for their reliability and ease of maintenance despite their age.<ref name="Lustig 2023" />

Two of the locomotives, 501 and 502, were sold to the [[California Department of Transportation]] (Caltrans). The locomotives were renumbered 2051 and 2052, and received the [[Amtrak California]] paint scheme. They are used on the ''[[San Joaquins]]'' and ''[[Capitol Corridor]]'' trains.<ref>{{Amtrak by the Numbers 2|page=47}}</ref>

{{Clear left}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category-inline|GE B32-8WH locomotives}}
* [http://www.thedieselshop.us/GE_Dash8B.HTML General Electric Four-Axle Dash-8s]

{{GE diesels}}
{{Amtrak rolling stock}}

[[Category:B-B locomotives]]
[[Category:General Electric locomotives|8-32BWH]]
[[Category:Passenger locomotives]]
[[Category:Amtrak locomotives]]
[[Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of the United States]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1991]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States]]


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{{US-train-stub}}
[[Category:American Passenger Locomotives]]