 Page Updated: Nov 11, 1999 EMD SD EMD GP EMD SW EMD E/F GE Dash7/8: B23-7 B30-7R C30-7 C30-7A B36-7 C36-7 C32-8 C39-8 B40-8: Photos Prototype Loco Roster References C40-8 C40-8W GE U-Boat ALCo Century ALCo RS/S Electrics Misc Rosters Rolling Stock Maintenance Scenic Gallery Modeling Ref Shelf CRCyc Home What's New Help Out Site Map Contributors |
General Electric's Dash 8 line was a much improved design over the previous Dash 7 line, which ended on Conrail with the C30-7A. Microprocessors in the Dash 8 line increased efficiency while boosting tractive effort. For the first time, GE units were able to monitor and diagnose themselves, reducing the downtime in the shops.Conrail's B40-8 has a standard 4,000hp 16-cylinder turbocharged prime mover. This makes it the highest horsepower 4-axle locomotive in North America. Conrail purchased 30 of these high-horsepower, low-tractive effort locomotives between April and May 1988 (CR 5060-5089). Unlike the 3,000hp, 6-axle, 6-traction motor SD-40-2 that can pull heavy coal drags over the rugged mountains of Pennsylvania at moderate speeds, the higher horsepower, low tractive effort of the B40-8 is more suited to Conrail's high-speed, time-sensitive intermodals, which is exactly the service for which Conrail purchased them. The roster below covers those units operated by Conrail from the arrivial of the first unit until May 1999.
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