Railroad Trains for the Soul: EMD Dash 3 Rebuilds
You've already experienced the modernization programs for diesel locomotives that are in the average 4,000-4,400 horsepower rating and usually intended for mainline freight services. Let's focus on the less powerful diesels, some of which have been relegated to local freight duty or yard switching in recent years. There are two major branch line locomotive rebuild programs: Dash 3 (-3) and 710ECO. We'll begin with the Dash 3's.
The main purpose of this program is to install microprocessor controls primarily on locomotives powered by the Electro-Motive 645-series diesel engine. One of the most popular models from the 1970's is the SD40-2, which was originally built with the Dash 2 series electronic modules instead of those complicated hard-wired relays featured on older EMD models. Although the Dash 2 modules seem to resemble an early computer, they are not synonymous to microprocessors that were introduced officially on the SD60 and GP60 diesels during the 1980's. The Dash 3 upgrades are offered by various manufacturers such as EMD, Wabtec, and National Railway Equipment (NRE). Some of the rebuilt Dash 3 locomotives look the same by their exterior designs as if they were originally constructed, but others have more radical changes such as a new cab. [1]
CSX operates a fleet of some SD40-2's that were modernized into what became SD40-3. They were rebuilt initially at the railroad's Huntington Shops in West Virginia and numbered in the 4000 series. The most conspicuous change on the CSX SD40-3 is a new standard cab and narrow nose fabricated by NRE. These locomotives also have a modern hand brake stand built on the rear porch, which is one of the iconic features of the older SD40-2. [2, 3] Additionally, CSX had begun rebuilding two fleets of four-axle EMD units: GP38-2 and GP40-2. Released from the Huntington Shops with the NRE-style cabs, these are reclassified as GP38-3 and GP40-3. [4]
The EMD 50-series, which includes the SD50 and GP50, can also be upgraded to Dash 3 standards. From a technological standpoint, these locomotives featured EMD's Super Series and were significantly transitional between the reliable Dash 2 series and the more computerized 60-series. However, due to their mechanical problems, many SD50's have been de-rated from 3,500 (or 3,600) hp. to about 3,000 hp. CSX modified its six-axle EMD fleet and renamed them SD50-2 and SD50-3. [5] Similarly, Norfolk Southern upgraded its SD50's into SD40E; the E refers to the EM2000 microprocessor installed on these units. Like many other NS locomotives, the SD40E's were completed at the Juniata shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and they have been commonly seen as helpers at the famous Horseshoe Curve. [6] NS also modernized some of its four-axle GP50's by retrofitting them with a 2,000-hp version of the 645 engine and naming them GP38-3. Ironically, they were never converted to microprocessor control but kept the Super Series wheel slip control system. [7, 8]
In addition to freight locomotives, passenger locomotives are absolutely no exception to Dash 3 upgrades. In 2016, Metra began a modernization program by sending an F40PH unit to Progress Rail for technical upgrading. This includes the installation of the EM2000 computer and the reduction of emissions to comply with the Tier 0+ regulations of the EPA. The distinctive F40PHM-2 units are also added to the program. While they still appear to have their as-built car bodies, all of Metra's modernized F40PH-3's and F40PHM-3's are decorated in the current paint scheme, which has a light tone of gray fading to blue (except for a couple of commemorative units). [9, 10] Between 2006 and 2012, VIA Rail Canada retrofitted its F40PH-2D locomotives with microprocessors, overhauled engines, and independent head-end power equipment as well as the blue-green paint scheme initially spotted on the agency's P42DC's built by General Electric. One major spotting feature unique to the rebuilt F40PH-3D is its unusual rear end where the newly installed HEP engine and alternator are located. This maximized fuel efficiency for the prime mover. [11]
While the Dash 3 program is intended for rebuilding the 645-era diesels, the latest microprocessor technology has also been applied to existing locomotives powered by the 710-series prime movers. For example, Norfolk Southern has a relatively small fleet of EM2000-equipped GP59E units upgraded from the EMD GP59's, which were originally delivered with the 12-cylinder 710 engine rated at 3,000-hp. [12] More interestingly, BNSF has modernized the former Santa Fe GP60M comfort cab diesels that used to haul mainline trains prior to that time. Designated as GP60M-3, these locomotives feature the traditional left-hand control stand that replaced the desktop console inside the cab. Despite their crashworthy wide noses, they have been reassigned to local freight and switching duties. [13, 14]
Although there's no newly built EMD model with a -3 designation, that number does exist in Wabtec's MPXpress passenger locomotives, including the MP36PH-3S, MP36PH-3C, and MP40PH-3C. In fact, they are all powered essentially by EMD's 16-cylinder prime movers: 16-645 for the MP36 and 16-710 for the MP40. The latter locomotive is also equipped with the EM2000 computer. [15] That pretty much sums up for the Dash 3 rebuilds. Please stay tuned for the ECO's!
Sources
1. Trains Magazine October 2010
HO Scale Scaletrains Rivet Counter SD40-3