| GE Dash 8-40C | |
|---|---|
| UP 9214, a Dash 8-40C, leads an eastbound train up California's Cajon Pass on May 10, 1991. | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | GE Transportation Systems |
| Model | Dash 8-40C |
| AAR wheel arr. | C-C |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
A GE Dash 8-40C is a 6-axle diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1987 and 1992, wheel arrangement is of a C-C type. This locomotive model is sometimes referred to as a C40-8. or simply "Dash 8". "Dash 8" in general refers to the electrical control series, "Dash" being a carryover from the older syntax of C40-8. The "40" refers to the baseline horsepower rating (4000) of the unit, although some units may be re-rated to 4100 hp (see below).
Later units were supplied with a wide cab and are designated Dash 8-40CW, the "W" indicating a wide cab.
Some railroads, in particular the Chicago and North Western, upgraded some of their units to ~4135 hp and designated them as C42-8. This designation was modified by Union Pacific to C41-8 after its takeover of C&NW in 1995. Former C&NW units are usually identified by a grab-iron on the front nose just above the Union Pacific shield logo, and/or the "C41-8" designation on the cab side. The final three C&NW C40-8s were built with 4135 hp, and the prior 32 units were similarly modified as well. Although none of these units were ever officially classed as C41-8 by GE, a safety cab version was built as the Dash 8-41CW.
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago and North Western Transportation Company | 77 | 8501-8577 | 8575-8577 were 4150 hp |
| Conrail | 25 | 6025-6049 | |
| CSX Transportation | 147 | 7500-7646 | |
| Estrada de Ferro Carajás (Brazil) | 4 | 501-504 | |
| Norfolk Southern | 75 | 8689-8763 | |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 257 | 9100-9355, 9185 (2nd) | 9185 (1st) returned to GE, became testbed |
The companies that still own C40-8 locomotives as of 2006 include: CSX Transportation with 146, Norfolk Southern Railway with 88 and Union Pacific Railroad with 298 (includes former C&NW C41-8 units). Also, the GE C40-8W is a newer model of the C40-8. The W stands for "Safety Cab." Many railroads like, CSX, UP, BNSF, may own or use these models. The shape of the C40-8W's no longer have the stub on the front. The nose has been stretched out. Many railroads like, CSX have the two head lights on the nose, while Conrail (CSX and Norfolk Southern now own) had C40-8W's with the head light on the top of the cab. Many CSX and NS engines still sport the "Ex-Conrail" head light. In 2010 CN bought 35 C40-8 locomotives (2100-2014) from UP and 67 C40-8W locomotives (2098-2099, 2135-2199) from BNSF. CN 2112 (C40-8) was painted for the 15th anniversary.
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