GE Dash B39-8 (8-39B)
(Standard DC)

Providence & Worcester  No. 3906

Dashing!

The GE B39-8 (also referred to as the 8-39B) was one of the builder's most powerful four-axle models it ever produced, as well as one of the last.

The design, built during the mid-1980s, had lukewarm success although only two railroads ultimately purchased the model as most were bought by a leasing firm.

By the time of the model's construction most had lost nearly all interest in four-axle designs in main line freight service for a few reasons; first, six-axle locomotives offered more tractive effort with little loss in speed (another level of redundancy) and second, many still had first and early second generation motive power that could be used without the need of buying new.

General Electric would debut only one other four-axle model after the B39-8, which likewise saw only marginal sales numbers, after which time it stuck solely with six-axle designs.

Today, most of the original fleet of these locomotives remain in use on a number of different lines.

• Realistic die-cast underframe
• Five-pole skewed armature motor with dual flywheels for optimum performance at all speeds
• Directional lighting
• Factory-equipped with AccuMate® knuckle couplers
• Painted crew figures
• Separately-installed scale windshield wipers, metal grab irons and fine scale handrails
• Highly detailed coupler cut bars
• Multiple unit hoses and trainline hoses
• Snowplow
• Shock absorbers
• Piping on trucks

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