The GE Dash 8 Series

The GE Dash 8 series followed General Electric's successful Dash 7 series, which had sprung the company fully into the diesel locomotive market with today perhaps every other locomotive you see pulling a train is now of GE lineage. The builder has become a world leader in diesel-electric locomotive manufacturing and for years now has been the industry leader over second place EMD. In recent years it also has expanded its status by becoming a leader in cleaner burning diesel-electrics with its Evolution Series™ of locomotives. However, this was not always the case. In terms of diesel locomotive history GE is actually a relative newcomer and has only produced road-switchers (meaning those locomotives used in main line service to haul heavy freight trains) for the last forty years or so.

GE and Alco would be partners for years through the early 1950s when Alco began to switch its production line entirely from steam locomotives to diesels with GE supplying prime movers. During this time GE also became marginally successful in the diesel switcher market by producing lightweight and maneuverable little switcher locomotives that could be used in industrial service and over branch lines (which contained sharp curves and light rail) the most successful of which was its 44-tonner model (this model also had the advantage of being operated by only a single crewman because of its light weight, a cost-saving advantage). The success of these locomotives in terms of their construction is still evident today as some are still in operation on shortlines, tourist lines and industrial service.

The GE Dash 8 series also saw the widespread use of the new wide-nosed safety cab, which took the place of the traditional standard-cab on locomotives, and is now federally mandated on all new locomotives for added safety. Beginning with the C40-8 the locomotive has done quite well, especially with the wide-nosed cab version, which became available in 1989, two years following the debut of the model in 1987 (its success is also due to its six-axles, which causes less rail-wear than its sister “B” Dash 8 models of the four-axle, B-B variety). Combined the two cab designs for the Dash 8s sold roughly 1,500 units.

While no longer in production the series has done quite well for GE as the manufacturer continues to push the envelope on new locomotive development. Today the company is heavily focused on reducing emissions and recently debuted its Evolution Series™ locomotive (which replaced its Dash 8 and 9 models), designed to capture exerted energy (the locomotive’s exhaust) and reuse it in an attempt to burn less fuel. To learn more about the GE Dash 8 series please click here.

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GE's "Dash 8" Models

For more information on the GE Dash 8 series consider Modern Diesel Locomotives by author Hans Halberstadt. The book covers nearly 100 pages (with excellent photography and illustrations) of information on new locomotive types and designs built since the 1970s. Mr. Halberstadt's work has received excellent reviews by readers and makes for a nice resource guide if you are interested in modern diesels.

Another book that covers modern diesel locomotives is Locomotives: The Modern Diesel and Electric Reference by author Greg McDonnell. Mr. McDonnell's book is much larger in scope than Modern Diesel Locomotives, covering newer diesels and electrics on nearly 250 pages which are packed full with excellent photography, illustrations, and diagrams. The book has received superb reviews by readers and is perhaps the best current work out there covering the topic. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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