What year did E-8 diesels come into existence, and what year did railroads begin retiring them ?. If the answer requires a specific road, then let’s go with Santa Fe.
Thanks
Tracklayer
The 2,250 hp model E8 production started in 1949, replacing the model E7. ATSF did not buy new E8’s. In 1952/53 they traded in older model E1’s to EMD and componants from these engines were used in the construction of E8m’s. Externally they look like a production E8, but just have a lower 2,000 hp rating due to the use of re-cycled parts from the E1’s, The number series was in the 80’s for the E8m’s. For the most part they remained in ATSF passenger service until the 70’s(most were trade-ins for new GP38 engines). The 82L was wrecked in 1959 and off the roster… Their assignments varied, but they usually were used on smaller regional trains rather that the ‘transcon’ service like the Super Chief/El Capitan. All were painted in the standard ATSF ‘War Bonnet’ paint scheme.
Here is the roster info:
E8Am 80L - 87L(rebuilt from the original E1A units)
E8Bm 80A - 82A(rebuilt from the original E1B units)
E8Bm 83A - 84A(rebuilt from the original Super Chief ‘boxcab’ units)
Jim Bernier