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As the 1980s began, and with the success of their Dash-7 series, introduced in 1976, locomotive builder General Electric sought to build upon their momentum with an improved line of locomotives. Based upon technological advances and customer feedback, GE debuted its “Dash 8” series in 1983. Featuring improvements to the FDL series prime mover and microprocessor controls, the Dash-8 line promised improved performance, as well as improved reliability and maintainability, over their Dash-7 predecessors.
Introduced in 1984, the C39-8 maintained the clean contours of the long hood and rounded cab roof of the Dash-7 series but featured larger, angular radiator “wings” at the rear of the carbody, an angular low short hood, and a boxy dynamic brake and clean air compartment at the front of the long hood, which jutted above the cab roofline.
Even though Conrail and Norfolk Southern were the only two railroads to purchase C39-8 locomotives from GE, both railroads routinely operated C39-8s as run-through power on CSX, Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific. In fact, SP leased Conrail C39-8s in the early 1990s.
The only two C39-8 locomotives in operation today are owned by the Pennsylvania Northeastern Railroad. We would like to thank the PN for their role in developing this one-of-a-kind locomotive.
Fully assembled
Directional LED headlights
Printed LED lighted number boards
Phase Ib, II, and III carbodies with correct panels and grilles per variant
Standard (2-vent) or high-capacity (3-vent) dynamic brakes per prototype
Early (6-panel) or late (4-panel) radiator exhaust grilles
Ratchet or wheel handbrakes
Adirondack or GSC (or mix of both!) truck sideframes per prototype
GE “nub” tread plate on walkways
Highly-detailed 4,400 gallon fuel tank with fuel fillers and gauges
Air reservoirs with separate plumbing
See-through stepwell steps
See-through dynamic brake exhaust
Accurately profiled frame with separately applied plumbing and cabling
Detailed cab interior with separate floor, rear wall, seats, and control stand
Factory-applied wire grab irons, snowplow, spare knuckles, trainline hoses, 3-hose MU clusters, MU cables, uncoupling levers, windshield wipers, mirrors, air reservoirs, underframe bell, brake wheel, and more
Semi-scale coupler buffer equipped with ScaleTrains.com durable metal semi-scale E Type knuckle couplers
All-wheel drive
All-wheel electrical pick-up
Dual flywheels
Motor with 5-pole skew wound armature
Printing and lettering legible under magnification
Operates on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail
Packaging safely stores model
Minimum Radius: 18″
Recommended Radius: 22″
DCC ready with 21-pin connector
ESU-designed Power Pack for continuous operation on dirty track for up to 4 seconds
This feature only available when an ESU DCC decoder is installed