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Dash 8-Dash 9 comparisons

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Peotone, IL
  • 71 posts
Dash 8-Dash 9 comparisons
Posted by train_frk-0079 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 3:56 PM

One of my close friends brought me on my first "foamer" trip as he called it.  we went to many areas in the West Chicago area and had a good time overall.  I didnt really know all the stuff he was saying and what it meant, but then he stumped me even more with the GE power we saw.  That's what really takes me to my question.  What are apparent differences in the Dash 8 and the Dash 9 (other than the obvious difference in age)???  I feel like an idiot for not knowing this already, but ive taken a break for railroading for many purposes (including getting used to a new job) and my brain got a little rusty therefore forgetting a little bit.  Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

Peace and love is all this world needs!! Ryan
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 5:07 PM

train_frk-0079

One of my close friends brought me on my first "foamer" trip as he called it.  we went to many areas in the West Chicago area and had a good time overall.  I didnt really know all the stuff he was saying and what it meant, but then he stumped me even more with the GE power we saw.  That's what really takes me to my question.  What are apparent differences in the Dash 8 and the Dash 9 (other than the obvious difference in age)???  I feel like an idiot for not knowing this already, but ive taken a break for railroading for many purposes (including getting used to a new job) and my brain got a little rusty therefore forgetting a little bit.  Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

The cabs look the same but the Dash 9 model has the new high adhesion trucks and has a longer total length about 18" with a split cooling larger radiator.  They do look alike in many ways until you start to look at the details. The Dash 8 model was available in a B truck version also which the Santa Fe purchased in 1990 numbered 500 to 582.  I did not include a picture of the Dash 8-40BW.

 I have added some pictures to illustrate the details.

Dash 840CW SF now BNSF 862  Notice the older style trucks and smaller radiator. 

Thanks to Ryan Slaton for the pictures.

 

 

Dash 944CW SF now BNSF

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Peotone, IL
  • 71 posts
Posted by train_frk-0079 on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 5:59 PM

oh i do see that now!  do you know if the walkways have anything to do with it, the dash 9 seems to be elevated

Peace and love is all this world needs!! Ryan
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,264 posts
Posted by CAZEPHYR on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 6:07 PM

train_frk-0079

oh i do see that now!  do you know if the walkways have anything to do with it, the dash 9 seems to be elevated

 Both are the same height in the drawings.  One other detail that is different is the shape of the fuel tanks.   The Dash 8's have a more angular type of shape compared to the dash 9.  It is hard to tell in the pictures I provided, but look closely at the real ones and you can see it.  

CZ 

The picture below shows the fuel tank with two bends compared to the single angle on the Dash 8.  Thanks to Ryan Slaton for the picture.

 

 

 

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