NS C40-8.5W

NS has begun to rebuild C40-8s in its Roanoke locomotive shop. The C40-8.5W rebuild initiative is to upgrade electrical wiring and repl the original cabs. One has received the  Crescent cab and the other has received a standard GE widecab. A Tier 0+ 7FDL16 prime mover will be added as well as split cooling to make the units Tier 2 compliant. 84 rebuilds were originally planned, the units would have been electronically comparable to Dash 9's. These units are likely going to receive modified Crescent cabs (like #8501). #8500 has an unmodified Crescent cab and #8505 has the GE cab. #8501 has been released to active service out of Roanoke. 
Initial testing of these rebuilds found them to be far from satisfactory, and the units have floated in and out of storage for modifications only to be sidelined yet again. NS has since cancelled the Dash 8.5 rebuild program, retiring the remaining C40-8 fleet and instead focusing on DC to AC rebuild programs. 
==External links==
*http://www.progressiverailroading.com/norfolk_southern/article/Norfolk-Southern-Railway-to-roll-out-modified-GE-locomotive-model-as-part-of-multiyear-rebuild-program--40373
*https://www.facebook.com/altoonaworks/photos/a.389322700636.358874.222359370636/10153843844080637/?type=1 
*http://www.nsdash9.com/images/NS8501km2.jpg 
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