C39‐8 - MagnumMacKivler/RLCPT2 GitHub Wiki
GE 607, originally built as one of two New Series 8 demonstrators. Originally called the C36-8 (with 3750 horsepower), it was later upgraded to C39-8 spec. For the incredibly wacky story of this unit and its sister 606, please visit here.
The C39-8 is a functional refresh of the C36-7 on an extended frame with a handful of improvements.
Introduced in 1984, the New Series 8 was a radical departure from GE's prior models in design, sporting all new carbody setups and equipment locations. Despite GE's efforts to market them, sales of the Series 8 were poor; locomotive sales across the US were in a serious slump and very few GE customers were on the market for expensive, high end equipment. The C39-8 was only built for two customers: Norfolk Southern, who owned 139, and Conrail, who owned 22.
GE refreshed the carbody again for 1987, introducing what would come to be known as the "enhanced" carbody. GE did not refer to Series 8's built after 1987 as anything other than Series 8's, so the one order of C39-8's built at this time for NS were simply called C39-8's. Locomotives built during this era were functionally identical to earlier models with a different internal layout.
In mid-1987, the New Series 8 was discontinued in favor of the Dash 8 line; the C39-8 was replaced by the Dash 8-40C.
PT-Specific Information
| General Info | - |
|---|---|
| Prime Mover | GE-7FDL16J (1) |
| Horsepower | ~3900 for traction |
| Truck Type | GE FB-3 (2) |
| Axles | 6 |
| Traction Motors | 6 |
| Minimum Weight | 387,000 lbs |
| Maximum Weight | 420,000 lbs |
| Model Base Speed | 70 MPH |
| Top Speed | 70 MPH |
| Electrical System | - |
|---|---|
| Generator Max Current | 10200 Amps |
| Max Traction Motor (TM) Current | 1800 Amps |
| Max Continuous TM Current | 1360 Amps |
| Traction Motor Type | DC |
| Factor of Adhesion | 29% ⚠ |
| Transition Mode | Automatic, no selector |
| Transition Groups | 1 |
| Transition Shunts | 1 |
| Generator Transition | Yes |
| Traction Control | (3) |
| Dynamic Braking (DB) Mode (if used) | Electrical Blowers (4) |
| DB Max Current | 900 Amps (5) |
| DB Max Continuous Current | 900 Amps |
| Blended Braking | No |
| Miscellaneous | - |
|---|---|
| Head-End Power (HEP) | No |
| HEP Power Consumption | N/A |
| HEP Standby/Run Mode | N/A |
| Load Ramp Speed | 3 Amps/Tick ⚠ |
| TM Overload Protection | Yes |
| Starter Mode | Manual Primer, Manual Start |
| Air Brake Schedule | 26-L |
| Compressor CFM | 236.25 (Wabco 3CDCBL @ 1050 RPM) (6) |
| Main Reservoir Volume | 32.4 Cu.Ft |
Notes
⚠: Not Verified or Educated Guess
(1): Later units (think 1987 production) had 7FDL16K's.
(2): New build C39-8's would have Rockwell Manufacturing cast FB-3's, however any high brake cylinder casting could be used from trade ins (like U30C's), such as GSC or Adirondack. Note that this was not possible with low mounted brake cylinder truck castings.
(3): GE products of this era could be purchased with Continuous Modulating Relay (CMR) wheel slip control or SENTRY creep control. CMR is functionally a very strong APR + Sand, while SENTRY has no direct equivalent in PT2. CMR was optional, SENTRY was stock on the Series 8.
(4): Engine RPM directly varies with brake handle position so.. probably having Mech Blowers, and the notch at 0 would be more accurate. The sounds are part of the engine config anyway.
(5): The default braking grid system, called "Flat" or "Field Current Control", limited both the motor field current and the braking grid amperage, so that no overload was possible at any speed and the braking system behaved so that braking effort was a proportion of the braking handle even at high speed; the nuances are a bit tricky to describe. The optional system, "Tapered" or "Grid Current Control", provides a fixed grid current limit where the motor field current is exclusively a function of the braking handle position; this is more analagous to how legacy systems worked. Minimum level excitation would still max out the braking effort at high speed. If you wish to cosplay as using the optional system, Max Braking Amps is 1200. No other difference is presently modeled in PT2.
(6): Prime mover driven air compressors were optional on the Series 8; an electric motor driven compressor was stock.