In the early 1990s, as the bulk of Amtrak’s EMD F40PH diesel fleet began nearing potential retirement age, the passenger carrier quietly began nosing around for potential replacements. After testing Electro Motive’s F69 AC traction prototypes, the company opted to explore a less-expensive option.
To save money, Amtrak sought to modify an existing freight locomotive model to passenger service. Amtrak’s Dash 8-32BWH was born. They were delivered in a unique red, white, and blue paint scheme that reminded fans and workers of a can of Pepsi-Cola. Thus, the nickname ‘Pepsi Cans’ quickly sprung up. Today they wear a more standard paint job.
In English that means one of General Electric’s Dash 8 model road switchers designated P for passenger, rated at 3,200 hp, riding on two-axle or B trucks, with a wide cab and equipped with Head end power for the passenger cars it is pulling. Twenty units were built and numbered 500-519. Two, originally funded by the California Department of Transportation. With a 74:29 gear ratio, the units top out at 103 mph.
Initially, Amtrak’s Dash 8-32BWH locomotives could be found mixed in with other units almost anywhere on the passenger carrier’s route map. Today, they usually are relegated to yard and switching service at major Amtrak hubs in Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, and Miami. But don’t let that fool you. Let an assigned unit break down and more often than not a Pepsi Can will replace it for the day.
The vast majority, 16, are still on the active roster today. A couple have been scrapped and a few are laid up for major repairs.
If the design interests you, don’t tarry about getting out and photographing them, however. While there is no crystal ball on how long they will last, they are currently more than 30 years old. Amtrak will keep them running and on the active roster because they are reliable and relatively easy to maintain, but nothing lasts forever.
