GE C39-8

GE C39-8

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems Model C39-8 Build date 1984 – 1987

Specifications AAR wheel arr C-C Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Wheel diameter 40 in (1,016 mm) Length 70 ft 8 in (21.54 m) Fuel capacity 3,900–4,500 US gal (15,000–17,000 L; 3,200–3,700 imp gal) Prime mover 7FDL-16

Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h) Power output 3,900 hp (2,900 kW)

Career Operators See table Locale United 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.

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.
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.
BHP Billiton	4	5630-5633	Four CM39-8 locomotives were built for Mount Newman Mining by A Goninan & Co Bassendean, Western Australia to replace the aging C636/M636 units in 1988. All 4 locomotives have been withdrawn from service.

File:NREX 7483.jpg

NREX 7483

See also

• List of GE locomotives