Jump to content

GE C39-8

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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+12 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. [citation needed]

Technical

[edit]

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

[edit]
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

[edit]

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. Many of them have been rebuilt by shortening the radiators.[3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  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.