GE Dash 8-40CW

Template:Short description Template:Template other The GE C40-8W is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems from 1989 to 1994. Often referred to as the Dash light series, it is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives. This locomotive model is distinguished from the predecessor Dash 8-40C by the addition of a newer "wide" or "safety" cab. A cowl-bodied version of this locomotive, built only for the Canadian market, was the GE Dash 8-40CM.

History

File:GE C40-8W 7913 CSX Transportation.jpg

GE C40-8W 7913 CSX Sand Lake Road station SunRail in Orange County, Florida

The first Dash 8-40CW, 9356, was built for the Union Pacific railroad in December 1989. In total, GE would build 756 Dash 8-40CWs. The Dash 8-40CW was succeeded by the Dash 9-44CW in 1994.

Like most GE locomotives, the Dash 8-40CW saw continuous upgrades 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 later units delivered to Conrail in 1993 and 1994 were equipped with GE's Integrated Function Displays (IFD). The IFDs are LCD displays that provide the engineer with the same information previously provided by analog gauges, as well as integrating distance counter and End of Train Device telemetry functions.

As of 2021, while many C40-8W locomotives are still in service, most are either being stored in "dead lines" by Class I railroads, have been retired and/or sold to other railroads or leasing companies, or have been cut up for scrap.

Technical

The Dash 8-40CW is powered by a Template:Convert V16 7FDL diesel engine driving a GE GMG187 main alternator. The power generated by the main alternator drives six GE 752AG or 752AH Direct Current traction motors, each with a gear ratio of 83:20 and connected to Template:Convert wheels which allow the Dash 8-40CW a maximum speed of Template:Convert.

Depending on customer options, the Dash 8-40CW carries approximately 5000 US gallons (18927 L) of diesel fuel, 410 US gal (1,552 L) of lubricating oil, and 380 gallons (1,438 L) of coolant. The Dash 8-40CW has a maximum tractive effort of Template:Convert at Template:Convert with the 83:20 gearing. Overall dimensions for the Dash 8-40CW are Template:Convert in length, Template:Convert in height and Template:Convert in width.

Rebuilds

File:UP 9481.jpg

GE Dash 8-41CW (C41-8W), UP 9481

The General Electric Dash 8-41CW or Dash 8-41W (C41-8W) is a variation with the same 16-cylinder engine upgraded to Template:Convert. 154 were produced between 1993 and 1994 for both the Union Pacific and Santa Fe (ATSF) railroads, and some Dash 8-40CW units were also uprated to Dash 8-41CW standard by the railroads. Since no four-axle versions of this unit were built, the "C" designation (indicating trucks with three powered axles, or C-C) is often omitted.

The GE Dash 8.5-40CW was a 6-axle 4,000 hp (2,800 kW) diesel-electric locomotive rebuilt by Norfolk Southern. The first locomotive started its rebuild in 2012. Only one unit is on the active roster, and it is stored. The units will be rebuilt with the Norfolk Southern-designed wide-nose RLS cab which meets current FRA crashworthiness standards. The rebuild will also include the installation of locomotive speed limiter (LSL), and cab signals and other electronics upgrades. NS discontinued the rebuild program in April 2016 due to repeated failures, and even retired these locomotives in April 2020.

The GE C40-8WM was an experimental rebuild program done by GE in partnership with CSX at GE's Locomotive plant at Erie, PA in late 2016 and early 2017 to see if they were worth rebuilding. The program consisted of 10 C40-8Ws from CSX, #'s 7771, 7774, 7779, 7780, 7786, 7787, 7799, 7801, 7807, and 7811. The units were rebuilt with updated prime movers, new cab interiors, new control system (upgrade to CCA from IFC), installation of PTC equipment, fresh repaint, body work as needed, addition of shutters to the radiator to help more accurately control the engine temperature, and a few other refurbs.

Current and former owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway	152	800–951	"Super Fleet" 927–951 are model C41-8W. Passed on to BNSF following the BN/ATSF merger in 1996.
Berkshire and Eastern Railroad	12	7655, 7727, 7797, 7835, 7875–7881, 7898	All units were formerly owned by CSX. Units 7655, 7727, 7797, 7835, 7875, and 7898 were previously owned by Pan Am Railways prior to the CSX-Pan Am merger.
BNSF Railway	152	800–951	800–866 sold to CN. 867–951 still on property, but most are currently in storage.
Canadian National Railway	67	2098–2099, 2135–2199	Former BNSF 800–866. Originally ATSF 800–866. 2150 donated to BCIT - Delta, BC, CA.
Conrail	236	6050–6285	Split between CSX and NS following the split up of Conrail on June 1, 1999; Nos. 6266–6285 are ex-LMSX Nos. 740–759. Unit 6096 was destroyed in a wreck in January 1999.
CSX Transportation	375	7300–7396, 7649–7668, 7670–7929	Classed as CW40-8. 7300–7396 originally bought by Conrail. 7918–7929 originally bought by LMSX, 7300-7396 have been retired and sold to GECX leasing. 7650-7929 are mostly still in service, however, some are in storage or have been sold. Units 7732, 7783, and 7803 were wrecked and retired. 7669 was renumbered to 7649. 7812 was temporarily renumbered to 1992 and was named "The Spirit of America!" and was renumbered back and repainted into the standard CSX livery in 2000.
Illinois Central Railroad	12	2455–2466	Bought from LMSX. Conrail Blue paint with CN markings and IC sublettering. Some have been repainted into standard CN paint. Most units retired and scrapped 2022–23, except 2466, which is most likely to be preserved at some point.
Locomotive Management Services (LMSX)	60	700–759	Conrail lease units. Split between CSX, NS, and IC. Nos. 740–759 to Conrail Nos. 6266–6285.
New England Central Railroad	7	4062–4068	All units were formerly owned by CSX. Units 4062–4064 were owned by Conrail before being acquired by CSX following the Conrail split up.
Norfolk Southern Railway	154	8314–8467	All units originally Conrail or LMSX. All units were retired in 2020.
Union Pacific Railroad	204	9356–9559	9481–9559 are model C41-8W. Most stored or sold to GECX. 9521 and 9532 sold to Ferrocarril Central Andino in 2024.
Pan Am Railways	6	7655, 7727, 7797, 7835, 7875, 7898	Classed as C40-8W. All units formerly CSX. To Berkshire & Eastern following the 2022 CSX-Pan Am merger.
GE Capital Leasing (GECX)	108	9124-9450, 7700–7900, 7902–7922, 7300–7396, 7653–7695	All units are former CSX and Union Pacific. Units were temporarily leased to Canadian National and Norfolk Southern due to high rail traffic levels. Some units have since been sold to different owners, including Alabama & Gulf Coast, Berkshire & Eastern, Washington Eastern, Indiana & Ohio, Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern, and New England Central.
Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA)	5	1033-1034, 1035-1037	1033 and 1034 are ex-CSX C40-8Ws; 1035 - 1037 are ex UP C41-8Ws

See also

• List of GE locomotives

References

• Template:McDonnell-Locomotives
• Template:Solomon-GE Locomotives
• Template:Solomon-Modern Locomotives

Template:Santa Fe "Super Fleet"