GE C39-8
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation Systems
ModelC39-8
Build date1984 – 1987
Total produced161
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
Length70 ft 8 in (21.54 m)
Fuel capacity3,900–4,500 US gal (15,000–17,000 L; 3,200–3,700 imp gal)
Prime mover7FDL-16
Performance figures
Maximum speed70 mph (113 km/h)
Power output3,900 hp (2,900 kW)
Career
OperatorsSee table
LocaleUnited 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.

The C39-8 was a fairly unpopular locomotive with crews, cited factors such as a rough ride, tendency to overheat, frequent turbocharger issues, issues with the fuel injection system, and various other reliability issues.

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 the GE C40-8. All have been retired. 8687 damaged in collision with semi truck in 1992. The entire incident was caught on camera. Unit 8688 currently used as a test bed in Altoona [1]
Conrail 22 6000-6021 After 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.
PN 8212 in January 2023

Current use

Apart from Norfolk Southern's test bed, Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad's former Norfolk Southern 8212 (née Conrail 6021) is the last C39-8 in active use in North America.[2]

15 Norfolk Southern units were sold to Peru's Ferrocarril Central Andino (FCCA) after RDC acquired a significant part of the company in 1999.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Norfolk Southern C39-8E diesel locomotive is one of only two remaining". October 17, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  2. ↑ Burkhart, M.T. (April 28, 2020). "Last of its Kind: Rare GE Runs Final Miles in Pennsylvania". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ "FCCA Photographic Roster". Railroad Picture Archives. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  • 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 978-1-881411-49-9.
  • "Greenbrier Hotel to use two locomotives for private luxury train". Archived from the original on June 26, 2011. Retrieved June 24, 2011.


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