Head to the Store (Steam)

Between 1983 and 1994, legendary locomotive builder General Electric constructed more than 1,700 advanced “Dash 8”-series diesels, and the definitive edition of the GE Dash 8 line was the potent, six-axle C40-8W. And now, this husky 4,000-horsepower diesel is available for Train Sim World 2!

Magnificently created for TSW2 with fully interactive controls, authentic sounds, and realistic operating characteristics, the C40-8W comes dressed in the classic YN2 livery of rail giant CSX and is perfectly suited for service on the Train Sim World 2 Sand Patch Grade route!

The C40-8W - also commonly known as the Dash 8-40CW - was produced at General Electric’s sprawling Erie, Pennsylvania locomotive plant from 1989 through 1994. GE constructed 847 of the 4,000-horsepower, six-axle (C-C) diesels which were powered by the builder’s capable 7FDL16 four-cycle power plant.

The C40-8W was a direct refinement of its slightly older sister, the standard C40-8 (also known as the Dash 8-40C) which had debuted in 1987. While the original C40-8 was equipped with a traditional road-switcher-style cab and control stand, the C40-8W featured the “North American Cab” and desktop control stand which were quickly being favored equipment by most U. S. and Canadian railroads. Combined, the C40-8 and C40-8W totaled more than 1,400 units placed in service. Along with its North American cab, spotting features of the C40-8W included its oversized and flared rear radiators and use of GE’s GSC or Adirondack three-axle trucks.

Four of America’s biggest railroads – Conrail, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, and CSX – purchased the C40-8W, along with leasing company Locomotive Management Services (LMS). Eastern rail giant CSX was the largest buyer of the type, acquiring 268 units from GE, and when CSX acquired a portion of Conrail, its fleet of C40-8Ws grew to more than 300 units. CSX also operated a large fleet of standard C40-8s and a similar 4,400-horsepower model, the C44-8W.

A versatile and powerful mainline locomotive, the C40-8W could be found across the CSX system in a variety of services ranging from heavy unit-train duties to hustling priority intermodals and manifests. While CSX has begun the retirement and sale of its C40-8W, the locomotive remains on the CSX roster. During the C40-8Ws long and successful career on CSX, the units have regularly served as mainline power and as helpers on Sand Patch Grade, and this new add-on puts the big GE to work in three new scenarios and in both existing and new timetabled services. The Dash 8-40CW is joined in the pack by a new three-bay open-top CSX coal hopper.

Climb aboard the definitive Dash 8 and tackle challenging heavy hauling – with the new CSX General Electric C40-8W for Train Sim World 2! – Gary Dolzall