GE Dash 8-32B

The GE Dash 8-32B (also classified as B32-8 or D8-32B by some railroad companies) is a 4-axle 3,150 hp (2,350 kW) diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation between 1984 and 1989. It is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives.

GE Dash 8-32B
NS #3524 (Dash 8-32B) at NS Hinman Yard.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Model Dash 8-32B Build date 1984 – 1989 Total produced 49
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Prime mover GE 7FDL-12 Cylinders 12
Performance figures Power output 3,150 hp (2,350 kW)
Career Locale North America Disposition 4 preserved, some sold off, remainder in storage awaiting fate.

A total of 49 examples of the Dash 8-32B model were built for North American railroads. The model is a 12-cylinder version of the (16 cylinder) Dash 8-40B and is powered by GE's 7FDL engine. The first units built for the Burlington Northern Railroad were labelled by GE as B32-8, while later units built for Norfolk Southern followed GE's practice after 1987 of spelling "Dash 8" in the model name. The GE Dash 8-32BWH (or B32-8WH) is a variant built with Head End Power (HEP) and a wide cab for Amtrak service.

Original owners

Railroad	Quantity	Road numbers	Notes
Burlington Northern Railroad	3	5497-5499	Returned to GE
General Electric (demonstrator/testbed)	1	832
Norfolk Southern	45	3522-3566	Units were renumbered to the 500 series in September and October 2013 to make room for EMD SD40-2 locomotives from Helm Leasing in the 3500 series. 3563 was retired after an engine failure and was donated to the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society. 561 (ex-3561) was sold to the Everett Railroad, and delivered by NS Local CB-10 on May 25, 2017; later sold to NIWX in late 2020-early 2021. As of September 2023, NIWX 561 is now owned by the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. In 2022, NIWX 558 (ex-3558) was leased to the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad that operates from Cumberland MD to Frostburg MD, and painted in the railroads paint scheme. First trip was on 9/22/2022. WMSR officially purchased 558 in September 2023. 538 sold to WER in 2024.

Preservation

• Norfolk Southern #3563 is preserved at the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society in North East, Pennsylvania. NS donated the locomotive in 2013.
• Western Maryland Scenic Railroad operates three Dash 8-32Bs, #539, #558 and #561. Two locomotives are painted in a livery inspired by the Western Maryland Railway.

See also

• List of GE locomotives