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GE Dash 8-32BWH
Amtrak No. 505 leading the Sunset Limited through Cade, Louisiana
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems Model Dash 8-32BWH Build date 1990–1991 Total produced 20
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo'Bo' Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Trucks General Electric Floating Bolster (FB2) Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Minimum curve 150 ft (46 m) / 39° (single unit) 175 ft (53 m) / 33° (coupled) Wheelbase 39 ft 8 in (12.09 m) (between truck centers) Length 66 ft 4 in (20.22 m) Width 9 ft 11+1⁄4 in (3.029 m) Height 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m) Axle load 79,148.3 lb (35,901 kg) Adhesive weight 100% Loco weight 274,890 lb (124,688 kilograms) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 1,800 US gal (6,800 L; 1,500 imp gal) Lubricant cap. 365 US gal (1,380 L; 304 imp gal) Coolant cap. 350 US gal (1,300 L; 290 imp gal) Sandbox cap. 26 cubic feet (740 L) Prime mover GE 7FDL-12 RPM range 400-1,050 (720 or 900 when supplying HEP) Engine type 45° V12, four stroke cycle Aspiration Turbocharged Displacement 131.4 liters (8,020 cu in) Alternator GMG 195A1 Traction motors 4 GE 752AH DC traction motors Head end power Alternator-driven head-end power (GTA 33A1) Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 10.95 liters (668 cu in) Transmission AC-DC MU working Yes Train heating Locomotive-supplied head-end power, 800 kW (1,100 hp) Loco brake Dynamic / Electropneumatic Train brakes Pneumatic Safety systems FRA standards ACSES II
Performance figures Maximum speed 103 mph (166 km/h) Power output 3,200 hp (2.4 MW) Tractive effort Continuous: 38,500 lbf (17,500 kgf) @26 mph (42 km/h) Factor of adh. 4.472
Career Operators Amtrak Amtrak California Numbers 500–519 (Amtrak) 2051–2052 (Caltrans) Nicknames Pepsi Cans Locale United States Delivered 1991 Disposition Operational, used primarily for yard switching and backup motive power (Amtrak) San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor trains (Caltrans)

The GE Dash 8-32BWH, also known as the P32-8BWH, B32-8WH, or P32-8, is a diesel-electric locomotive used by Amtrak in passenger train service, based on the GE Dash 8 Series of freight train locomotives. Built in 1991, they were the first locomotives purchased to replace the EMD F40PH. Amtrak originally used the Dash 8's on mainline trains but later used them largely for switching in yards, only being used on mainline trains when newer GE Genesis locomotives were unavailable. As of 2023, 16 of the original 20 remain in service with Amtrak, including two owned by Caltrans for use on Amtrak California services.

Design

The Dash 8-32BWH operates in a diesel-electric configuration that uses DC to power the traction motors, the 7FDL-V12 diesel engine produces 3,200 hp (2,400 kW) at 1047 rpm. When providing head end power to the train, the engine is speed locked to 900 rpm. Power output to the traction motors is 2,700 hp (2,000 kW) when running in HEP mode with a 0 kW HEP load. Traction horsepower decreases to 1,685 hp (1,257 kW) when providing the maximum 800 kW (1,100 hp) HEP load to the train.

The Dash 8-32BWH has a 74:29 gear ratio, resulting in a maximum operating speed of 103 mph (166 km/h) in passenger operation.

History

By 1990, Amtrak was looking to supplement its EMD F40PH fleet, which was beginning to show its age. Though Amtrak first explored the experimental EMD F69PHAC, cost concerns prompted the company to pursue a modification of an existing freight locomotive instead. Twenty GE Dash 8-32BWH locomotives were delivered to Amtrak in 1991, numbered 500 through 519 (two were funded by the California Department of Transportation for use in that state). The locomotives were built by GE Transportation as a modification of their existing Dash 8-32B with the addition of head-end power for supplying passenger cars, a comfort cab, and a number of changes to locomotive internals to meet Amtrak's requirements for weight and performance. To provide enough room for a second alternator (to support head-end power generation) these locomotives were built on the frame of a Dash 8-40BW.

Amtrak decided its new locomotives should have a new paint scheme, and in the process considered over 100 possible designs. The locomotives were delivered in a wide-striped red, white and blue livery, which angled upward across the middle of the body. The similarity to the design of Pepsi packaging led to the units being nicknamed "Pepsi Cans". By 2023, all units had been repainted into a standard Amtrak scheme.

Originally used across the Amtrak system on passenger trains, the fleet has since been primarily relegated to yard switching (mainly in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, and Miami), but locomotives are sometimes called upon to pull mainline trains when a locomotive from Amtrak's fleet of GE Genesis and Siemens Charger units are unavailable. Amtrak adopted the Genesis rather than the Dash 8-32BWH to fully replace its F40PH fleet, which was designed specifically for Amtrak as an all-new passenger locomotive. As of 2023, 16 Dash 8-32BHW locomotives remain in active service with Amtrak, which has held on to them for their reliability and ease of maintenance despite their age.

Two of the locomotives, 501 and 502, were sold to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The locomotives were renumbered 2051 and 2052, and received the Amtrak California paint scheme. They are used on the San Joaquins and Capitol Corridor trains.

References

1. Chen, Gong; Flynn, Paul L.; Gallagher, S. M.; Dillen, Eric R. (April 29, 2003). "Development of the Low-Emission GE-7FDL High-Power Medium-Speed Locomotive Diesel Engine". Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power. 125 (2). The American Society of Mechanical Engineers: 505–512. doi:10.1115/1.1563241.
2. Amtrak (October 27, 2015). "Capital Investment Plan for Amtrak Equipment Deployed in State Corridor Service FY2016 – FY2020" (PDF). p. 55. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
3. ^ Lustig, David (November 1, 2023). "Amtrak's Dash 8-32BWH". Trains. Retrieved May 18, 2024.
4. ^ McDonnell, Greg (2002). Field guide to modern diesel locomotives. Waukesha, Wisc: Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-0-89024-607-8. OCLC 50411517.
5. ^ Iverson, Lucas (August 5, 2024). "Five memorable Amtrak locomotives". Trains. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
6. "Official Paint Scheme and Logo Branding Guide" (PDF). Amtrak. February 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 30, 2020.
7. Solomon, Brian (2014). GE and EMD Locomotives: The Illustrated History. Voyageur Press. p. 130. ISBN 9780760346129 – via Google Books.
8. Simon, Elbert; Warner, David C.; EuDaly, Kevin (2023). Amtrak by the Numbers: 2: A Comprehensive Passenger Car and Motive Power Roster — 1971–2021. Kansas City, Missouri: White River Productions. p. 47. ISBN 978-1-932804-80-5.

External links

Media related to GE B32-8WH locomotives at Wikimedia Commons

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