GE Dash 8-32B

GE Dash 8-32B
NS #3524 (Dash 8-32B) at NS Hinman Yard.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation
ModelDash 8-32B
Build date1984 – 1989
Total produced49
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Cylinders12
Performance figures
Power output3,150 hp (2,350 kW)
Career
LocaleNorth America
Disposition4 preserved, some sold off, remainder in storage awaiting fate.

The GE Dash 8-32B (also classified as B32-8 or D8-32B by some railroad companies) is a 4-axle 3,150 hp (2,350 kW) diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation between 1984 and 1989. It is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives.

A total of 49 examples of the Dash 8-32B model were built for North American railroads. The model is a 12-cylinder version of the (16 cylinder) Dash 8-40B and is powered by GE's 7FDL engine. The first units built for the Burlington Northern Railroad were labelled by GE as B32-8, while later units built for Norfolk Southern followed GE's practice after 1987 of spelling "Dash 8" in the model name. The GE Dash 8-32BWH (or B32-8WH) is a variant built with Head End Power (HEP) and a wide cab for Amtrak service.

Original owners

Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Burlington Northern Railroad 3 5497-5499 Returned to GE
General Electric (demonstrator/testbed) 1 832
Norfolk Southern 45 3522-3566 Units were renumbered to the 500 series in September and October 2013 to make room for EMD SD40-2 locomotives from Helm Leasing in the 3500 series. 3563 was retired after an engine failure and was donated to the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society. 561 (ex-3561) was sold to the Everett Railroad, and delivered by NS Local CB-10 on May 25, 2017; later sold to NIWX in late 2020-early 2021. As of September 2023, NIWX 561 is now owned by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. In 2022, NIWX 558 (ex-3558) was leased to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad that operates from Cumberland MD to Frostburg MD, and painted in the railroads paint scheme. First trip was on 9/22/2022. WMSR officially purchased 558 in September 2023

Preservation

See also

References

  • 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.