Amtrak Dash 8-32BWH #506 at the Chicago Yard Photograph copyright Adam Auxier and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Amtrak Dash 8-32 #500, the first of many, sits in the Chicago Yard with a fresh coat of Phase IV scheme. Photograph copyright Brandon Kilgore and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
In 1983 General-Electric unveiled its new powerhouse, the Dash-8 freight locomotive, the predecessor to the modern Dash-9 and ES44 locomotives. Twenty years later after the organization of Amtrak in 1991, an order was placed for 20 of the Dash 8-32 series locomotives fit for passenger related duties. Units 500-519 were successfully delivered to the national railroad company with 2 units (501 & 502) sold to Amtrak California for use on the San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor services at later times. Upon the deliveries of these engines, they were painted in a modified variant of the then-current Phase III schemed, upon which rail fans dubbed the “Pepsi Can” scheme. Wearing these proud colors the GE Dash 8 hauled many passenger services such as the Chicago – Quincy Illinois Zephyr, the Los Angeles – Seattle Coast Starlight, the Charlotte – New York City Carolinian and many of Amtrak’s long distance passenger trains.
Dash 8-32BWH #501 hauls the eastbound Desert Wind #36 across the Cajon Pass in December of 1991. Photograph copyright Craig Walker and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
With all 20 of Amtrak’s Dash 8’s in service, they quickly went to versatile work on the rails as both switchers and main line locomotives. Fitted with providing Head End Power (HEP) to bother Superliner and Amfleet passenger cars, the Dash 8 discharged a hefty 3,200 HP using DC traction motors. This gave the four-axle engine a strong reputation especially when lashed up with the aging F40 series locomotives and the infant GE Genesis locomotives that debuted in 1992. While not in competition with its sleeker, faster and more powerful cousin, the Dash 8 held its own, often helping or substituting for a Genesis. Several services seen a complete set of Dash 8’s as motive power, a testament to the unit’s power and reliability.
Dash 8 #505 arrives at San Luis Obispo at the head of Coast Starlight #14. Following behind is a pair of P42DC Genesis, one in its original ‘Raised Stripes” livery and the other in the modern Phase V paint scheme. Photograph copyright Craig Walker and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
In more modern times, these mighty machines remain in Amtrak yards as switchers but from time to time venture out into the network. With 18 of them remaining in Amtrak’s national fleet, they are a rare sight to see on many routes but remain a standard on many. In several cases, this locomotive is merely an interesting substitute for the Pacific Surfliner, Coast Starlight, California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, Pennsylvanian and Carolinian. In the early days, they served routes of the Desert Wind, Pioneer, Snow Train, and San Diegan as standard issue until the takeover of the P42’s.
Wearing the national Phase V scheme, Dash 832 #503 lends its power to P42DC #92 and her Empire Builder train following. Photograph copyright Nick Johnson and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
In regards to the game, this engine would make an excellent addition to the fleet of Amtrak equipment already existing. Wearing all three liveries the Dash 8-32BWH would be a timeless classic and a stunning sight to see in scenarios as leading or trailing engines of traditional Amtrak consists. This locomotive provides an impressive amount of potential by the Train Simulator community as a unique scenario leader.