GE Dash 8.5-40CW
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The GE Dash 8.5-40CW is 6-axle a 4,000 hp (2,800 kW) diesel-electric locomotive original built by GE Transportation Systems, rebuilt by Norfolk Southern at its shops in Roanoke, VA. The first locomotive started rebuild 2012.
The locomotive is designed to meet Tier 2 emissions standards. All of the Dash 8.5-40CW's excluding 8505 have been rebuilt with the Norfolk Southern-designed wide-nose RLS cab which meets current FRA crashworthiness standards. 8505 was rebuilt was an ES44AC style GE cab. They have been equipped with the Traction and Engine Control Unit (TECU) from TMV Control Systems, upgraded from Manual Fuel Injection (MFI), to Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), and equipped with NS-designed split cooling system.The rebuild also includes the installation of locomotive speed limiter (LSL), and cab signals. The traction motors were upgraded from GE752-AG to GE752-AH. They were also equipped with CCB 26 electronic air braking system, and an electric parking brake. PTC has also been installed.
As of April 2016, it appears the program has been canceled. Norfolk Southern experienced many problems with the first of the locomotives. As a result, all 9 of the operational locomotives were added to the active roster in "as is" condition for testing. As of August 3, 2016, 5 out of 10 completed were stored, but still on the active roster. Norfolk Southern will finish the units that have started rebuilding, but will start no more.
History
The units that have been rebuilt were all Norfolk Southern of EX-Conrail. They were built in the late 1980s and are getting old and had deteriorating cabs; one of the primary reasons for the rebuilds. The rebuilds also include emissions upgrades with an engine rebuild and upgrade with new systems, such as electronic feel injection. The units are also getting new computer systems to improve efficiency.
On July 14, 2016 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, 8505 was wrecked and its fate is currently unknown.
Due to many problems with the locomotives, the program was canceled in 2016, and the Dash 8's will be phased out with the delivery of new ET44AC and ES44AC locomotives.
References
- Toth, Chris (2015). "Norfolk Southern Diesel Locomotive Roster: GE/NS Dash 8.5-40CW (D8.5-40CW) No. 8501". Retrieved 2015-09-22.