GE Dash 8-32BWH – Wikipedia

American diesel locomotive

GE Dash 8-32BWH
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) [1] 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 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 passenger train locomotive used by Amtrak, based on GE’s Dash 8 series of freight train locomotives. Built in 1991, they were the first locomotives purchased to replace the EMD F40PH.

The Dash 8-32BWH operates in a diesel-electric configuration that uses DC to power the traction motors, producing 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 a bare minimum of 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.^[2]

History[edit]

Twenty of these locomotives were delivered to Amtrak in 1991, numbered 500 through 519. They were nicknamed “Pepsi Cans” by many railfans, due to being delivered in a wide-striped red, white, and blue livery. Since the most recent overhaul, however, the locomotives now wear the Phase V livery.

The Dash 8-32BWH has since been relegated to yard switching (mainly in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, Miami, and the Auto Train terminals), maintenance of way service, and transfer service, displaced by the newer and more powerful GE Genesis and Siemens Charger. However, the Dash–8s occasionally substitute for the Genesis and Charger units if necessary. The Los Angeles-based units see frequent use on the Coast Starlight and Pacific Surfliner, and many are also frequently used on Amtrak’s Cascades service. The East Coast-based units back up the routes in and out of Washington DC, sometimes running on the Cardinal, Crescent, Silver Service, or the Virginia Northeast Regional train.

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

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