ATL40005833 - N - CR Dash 8-40CW 6215 (DC)

Locomotive Features:

• Separate coupler cut lever
• Directional lighting
• Golden white LEDs
• Painted safety rails
• Blackened metal wheels
• Dual flywheel equipped 5-pole skewed armature motor with a low friction mechanism
• Factory-installed AccuMate® magnetic knuckle couplers

SILVER SOUND READY FEATURES (SILVER LOCMOTIVES ONLY):

Sound ready & equipped with speaker for easy conversion to DCC sound.

DCC OPERATION FEATURES (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

• ESU LokSound 5 DCC & Sound Decoder Installed
• Supports all DCC-programming modes
• DCC includes RailCom and RailComPlus, with 14, 28 or 128 speed steps and with 2-digit and 4-digit addressing.
• Flexible mapping of function keys F0 to F28.
• A total of 6 DCC function outputs are available, and all can be function mapped (disable, brightness, light effects) individually
• Follows all NMRA DCC standards and recommended practices.

SOUND FUNCTIONALITY FEATURES (GOLD LOCOMOTIVES ONLY):

• Over 20 sound effects are available, including engine start-up and shutdown
• Prime mover sounds through all eight notches, bell, air horn, air compressor, dynamic brakes and more.
• There are up to 16 user-selectable horns
• 2 user-selectable bells
• 2 user-selectable synchronized brake squeals.
• Equipped with ESU’s Exclusive “Full Throttle” features for ultimate realism in prototype running.

Prototype & Model Overview: The GE C40-8W is a 6-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems from 1989 to 1994. Often referred to as the Dash light series, it is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives. This locomotive model is distinguished from the predecessor Dash 8-40C by the addition of a newer "wide" or "safety" cab. 

The first Dash 8-40CW, 9356, was built for the Union Pacific railroad in December 1989. In total, GE would build 756 Dash 8-40CWs. The Dash 8-40CW was succeeded by the Dash 9-44CW in 1994.

Like most GE locomotives, the Dash 8-40CW saw continuous upgrades over the course of its production. Later model Conrail units were built with split cooling systems for the turbocharger intercooler and engine cooling (previous Dash 8 series had both on the same cooling system). The later units delivered to Conrail in 1993 and 1994 were equipped with GE's Integrated Function Displays (IFD). The IFDs are LCD displays that provide the engineer with the same information previously provided by analog gauges, as well as integrating distance counter and End of Train Device telemetry functions.

As of 2021, while many C40-8W locomotives are still in service, most are either being stored in "dead lines" by Class I railroads, have been retired and/or sold to other railroads or leasing companies, or have been cut up for scrap.