P40DC - MagnumMacKivler/RLCPT2 GitHub Wiki
Amtrak P40DC 801 poses alone in Salisbury, N.C. This P40 would later be featured in the famous children's entertainment video "There Goes a Train." Photo credit to Sid Vaught
As Amtrak's F40PH locomotives were aging rapidly and clocking up many miles, a replacement or overhaul soon was needed for Amtrak's main locomotives. Striking themselves away from the problems from their P30CH, General Electric soon introduced the A(mtrak) M(onocoque) D(iesel)-103(miles per hour). Also known as the P40DC, Dash 8-40BP, or Genesis series, this locomotive soon helped General Electric secure Amtrak's diesel locomotive business for the 1990s and into the 2000s. Delayed production of these units because of their design meant that General Electric would send out un-streamlined P32-8BWH locomotives in their place until development was complete.
The P40DC was delivered to Amtrak only. 44 were made between 1992 and 1993 before being outdone by the later P42DC. Most P42DCs replaced P40DCs on mainline service with an extra horsepower, and thus the majority of P40DCs are either stored at Amtrak facilities as surplus, sold to NJ Transit & the Connecticut DOT, or are a part of the lucky few rebuilt in 2009 under the Tiger program to P42DC specializations.
PT-Specific Information
| General Info | - |
|---|---|
| Prime Mover | GE 7FDL16 |
| Horsepower | 4000 |
| Truck Type | Krupp-MaK High Speed Bolsterless Truck |
| Axles | 4 |
| Traction Motors | 4 |
| Minimum Weight | 260,000 lbs ⚠ |
| Maximum Weight | 280,000 lbs ⚠ |
| Model Base Speed | 79 MPH ⚠ |
| Top Speed | 103 MPH |
| Electrical System | - |
|---|---|
| Generator Max Current | 3200 Amps |
| Max Traction Motor (TM) Current | 1800 Amps |
| Max Continuous TM Current | 1370 Amps ⚠ |
| Traction Motor Type | DC |
| Factor of Adhesion | 29% |
| Transition Mode | Automatic, no Selector |
| Transition Groups | 1 |
| Transition Shunts | 1 |
| Generator Transition | No |
| Traction Control | ETC |
| Dynamic Braking (DB) Mode (if used) | Electrical Blowers |
| DB Max Current | 920 Amps ⚠ |
| DB Max Continuous Current | 920 Amps ⚠ |
| Blended Braking | Yes |
| Miscellaneous | - |
|---|---|
| Head-End Power (HEP) | Yes |
| HEP Power Consumption | 1475 HP |
| HEP Standby/Run Mode | N4, N8 ⚠ |
| Load Ramp Speed | 2 Amps/Tick |
| TM Overload Protection | Yes ⚠ |
| Starter Mode | Manual Primer, Manual Start ⚠ |
| Air Brake Schedule | 26-L |
| Compressor CFM | 237 (Wabtec 3CDC @ 1053 RPM) |
| Main Reservoir Volume | 35 Cubic Feet ⚠ |
###Notes:
⚠: Not verified or educated guess