GE C39-8
| GE C39-8 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type and origin | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | GE Transportation Systems |
| Model | C39-8 |
| Build date | 1984 – 1987 |
| Specifications | |
| AAR wheel arr. | C-C |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Wheel diameter | 40 in (1,016 mm) |
| Length | 70 ft 8 in (21.54 m) |
| Fuel capacity | 3,900–4,500 US gal (15,000–17,000 l; 3,200–3,700 imp gal) |
| Prime mover | 7FDL-16 |
| Performance figures | |
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Power output | 3,900 hp (2,900 kW) |
| Career | |
| Operator(s) | See table |
| Locale | United States |
The GE C39-8 is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive model built by GE Transportation Systems between 1984 and 1987. It is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives.
A total of 161 examples of this locomotive were built for two North American railroads: Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railway.
Technical
The C39-8 is powered by a 3,900 horsepower (2,900 kW) V16 7FDL-16 diesel engine driving a GE GMC187A2 main alternator. The power generated by the main alternator drove 6 GE 752AG traction motors, each with a gear ratio of 83:20 and connected to 40-inch (1,016 mm) wheels which allowed the C39-8 a maximum speed of 70 mph (110 km/h).
Depending on customer options, the C39-8 carried between 3,900 to 4,500 US gal (14,763 to 17,034 L; 3,247 to 3,747 imp gal) of diesel fuel, 360 to 400 US gal (1,363 to 1,514 L; 300 to 333 imp gal) of lubricating oil, and 380 to 420 US gal (1,438 to 1,590 L; 316 to 350 imp gal) of coolant. Like most North American diesel locomotives, the C39-8 uses normal water for cooling.
The C39-8 has a maximum tractive effort of 108,600 lbf (483,000 N) at 10.8 mph (17.4 km/h).
Original owners
| GE C39-8 owners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad | Quantity | Road numbers | Notes |
| Norfolk Southern | 114 | 8550-8663 | 8550,8551 former GE demonstrators set up for short hood forward operation, 8552-8663 set up for long hood forward operation, all units have been retired. |
| Norfolk Southern | 25 | 8664-8688 | "C39-8E (Enhanced) built in carbody similar to GE C40-8. All have been retired. |
| Conrail | 22 | 6000-6021 | After the Conrail split in 1999, 13 units went to Norfolk Southern to become NS 8200-8212 and are no longer in service with NS, 9 units went to CSX to become CSXT 7480-7488 and have since been retired. |
See also
References
- 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.
- Withers, Paul (2007). Norfolk Southern Locomotive Directory 2006-2007. Withers Publishing. ISBN 1-881411-49-4.
- "NS C39-8". Retrieved August 28, 2007.
- "NS C39-8E". Retrieved August 28, 2007.
- "Conrail Cyclopedia". Retrieved August 28, 2007.
- "CSX Photo Archives". Retrieved August 28, 2007.
- "Greenbrier Hotel to use two locomotives for private luxury train". Retrieved June 24, 2011.
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