Modern Locomotive Guide

Locomotive: Dash 8 Series

Manufacturer: General Electric

Horsepower Rating:3900 - 4000Hp

Prime Mover: 7FDL 16 Cylinder

Weight: 195 Imperial Tons

Weight Distribution: 6-axle (C-C), 32.5 Tons per axle

Length: 65'

Manufacture Dates: 1987-1994

Number of Units: ?

There was a reason that General Electric, although it was first into the diesel locomotive market, was second to GM for so many years. Their locomotive were just plain unreliable. Bad prime-movers, bad trucks, fuel system and cooling problems - railroads looked at GE as the "K-mart" of locomotive manufacturers, and some wouldn't touch GE locomotives with a 50' pole.

However, two events allowed General Electric to catapult into first place and stay there in the late 1980's. One was the GM SD-50. An overpowered SD-40 on a longer frame, the SD50 coughed up hairballs and caused all sorts of problems for GM. The second event was the release of the Dash 8 line of locomotives. The FDL series of prime-movers was totally reworked, and microprocessor controls were added to the electronics system. Add to that a leaner, meaner body style and a revolutionary new breed of locomtives was born.

Visual Identification: - The Dash-8 line did away with the smooth curves of the U and Dash 7 series, ushering in angular cabs,boxed radiators, and dynamic brake humps. The side radiator intakes were angled outward at the top, a concept that had earlier been introduced by the GM SD-45. Later Dash-8 units re-introduced the Crew Cab, another earlier-failed concept from the BQ23-7.

See the individual unit photos for spotting features.

Trivials: - Most of the first batches of Dash 8's were built on trucks and traction motors from trade-in C30 and C36-7 locomotives.

- The Dash 8 was the first mass production series of locomotives to reach 4,000 horsepower.

Dash 8 units featured on this website:

Photos -

7848
7818
7689
Marietta
7310 at Cartersville
7745
BNSF at Oostanaula
5051 at Hair
Auto Racks on the Ten
Balance of Power
8938
8946 at Carbondale
Balance of Power
Abutment Reloaded
NS at Hair
Sugar Valley Southbound
Waiting at Fox
Marietta
Kudzu
Surprise
UP in Dalton