GE Dash 8-40BW


The GE Dash 8-40BW, or B40-8W, is a four-axle diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway between 1990 and 1992. It is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives.
The locomotive model designation is interpreted as follows: B '40 -8' W.
ATSF was the only railroad to order the B40-8W, and a B unit was almost made with it, but because the price would have been the same for B40-8Ws with cabs or without, they decided to order units with cabs only.
All of ATSF's B40-8Ws were passed on to BNSF Railway, with some later sold to other railroads.

Disposition

While originally built for high-speed intermodal service, by the mid-2000s the B40-8Ws had been bumped to local service.
In mid-2010, BNSF put 15 B40-8Ws up for sale. These units were on long-term lease and were returned to their lessor. As of 2016, three units are operated by the Providence and Worcester Railroad in New England. The rest of BNSF's B40-8W fleet is, as of 2019, undergoing rebuild and refreshment at GE as preparation for their new role as local freight units.

Original owners

RailroadQuantityRoad numbersNotes
Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway83500-582531 was wrecked at Tejon, NM in December 1995. 576 destroyed at Cajon Pass in December 1994. 537 preserved at the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America.
General Electric1809wide cab prototype and testbed, rebuilt from B39-8E #808

Preservation

  • ATSF #537 is preserved at the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America in Silvis, Illinois. It was donated by BNSF on June 14, 2023. It is the first of the type to be preserved. In October 2024, the locomotive was repainted back to its ATSF Warbonnet colors.