GE Dash 8-40CW
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 Conrail 6114, a Dash 8-40CW, leads a train westbound out of Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1993. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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[edit]
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[edit]
The Dash 8-40CW is powered by a 4,000-horsepower (3,000 kW) 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 40-inch (1,016 mm) wheels which allow the Dash 8-40CW a maximum speed of 70 mph (110 km/h).
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 108,600 lbf (483,000 N) at 11 mph (18 km/h) with the 83:20 gearing. Overall dimensions for the Dash 8-40CW are 70 ft 8 in (21.54 m) in length, 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) in height and 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) in width.
Rebuilds[edit]
The General Electric Dash 8-41CW or Dash 8-41W (C41-8W) is a variation with the same 16-cylinder engine upgraded to 4,135 hp (3,083 kW). 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, 7799, 7801, 7807, 7811, 7786 ,7787, 7779 & 7780, 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[edit]
| 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. |
| BNSF Railway | 152 | 800–951 | 800–866 sold to CN. 867–951 still on property, but most are currently in storage. |
| Canadian National | 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. |
| CSX Transportation | 375 | 7300–7396, 7650–7917, 7918–7929 | 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 7655, 7727, 7797, 7835, 7875, 7898 reacquired in 2022 following Pan Am acquisition. |
| Illinois Central | 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 |
| Locomotive Management Services (LMSX) | 60 | 700–759 | Conrail lease units. Split between CSX, NS, and IC., Nos. 740–759 to Conrail Nos. 6266–6285. |
| Norfolk Southern | 154 | 8314–8467 | All units originally Conrail or LMSX. All Units retired in 2020 |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 204 | 9356–9559 | 9481–9559 are model C41-8W. Most stored or sold to GECX |
| Pan Am Railways | 6 | 7655, 7727, 7797, 7835, 7875, 7898 | Classed as C40-8W. All units formerly CSX. Reacquired by CSX following 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 Washington Eastern, Indiana and Ohio, Chicago, Fort Wayne and Eastern, and New England Central |
| Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA) | 2 | 1033-1034 | All units are ex-CSX. |
Preservation[edit]
In June of 2023, Canadian National Railway donated unit #2150 to the British Columbia Institute of Technology for use as a training unit at their Delta, BC campus. No C40-8Ws or C40-8s have been preserved by any museums as of this date, however, it is rumored that BNSF 871 and 888 have been held for preservation.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Bytown Railway Society (2004). Canadian Trackside Guide.
- General Electric Company (1990). Operating Manual Dash 8-40CW Diesel Electric Locomotives.
- McDonnell, Greg (2008). Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press. ISBN 978-1550464931.
- 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.