The GE Dash 8-32BWH, also known as the P32-8BWH, B32-8WH, or P32 DASH-8, is a passenger train locomotive used by Amtrak, based on GE's Dash 8 series of freight train locomotives. Built in 1991, they were the first locomotives purchased to replace the EMD F40PH. The Dash 8-32BWH operates in a diesel-electric configuration that uses DC to power the traction motors, producing 3,200 hp (2,400 kW) at 1047 rpm. When providing head end power to the train, the engine is speed locked to 900 rpm. Power output to the traction motors is 2,700 hp (2,000 kW) when running in HEP mode with a 0 kW HEP load. Traction horsepower decreases to a bare minimum of 1,685 hp (1,257 kW) when providing the maximum 800 kW (1,100 hp) HEP load to the train.
The Dash 8-32BWH has a 74:29 gear ratio, resulting in a maximum operating speed of 103 mph (166 km/h) in passenger operation.
Recorded from a GE B32-8
This project is a normal idle version. It has a single late (silenced) exhaust stack.
File also contains an "Isolation Switch" Mode on F15 when Standing Still.
Pressing F15 while not moving will lower the prime mover and lock the motor. F15 must be turned off to begin moving.
Another Mode is "Reverser In Center Position". When pressing F24 while stopped, the motor will lock so you can throttle through the notches like the prototype in neutral. F24 must be turned off to begin moving.
You can still use F26 and F27 for manual nothing. You have to keep both F26 and F27 off before pressing F28 to turn on manual notching. Once F28 is on, you can use F26 to notch up and F27 to notch down. F26, F27, and F28 must be turned off to return to normal mode.
This project has "Load" mode. When turning on F29 with F15, F24, F26, F27, F28 off, the prime mover goes into load mode. While you are using load mode, the prime mover will notch up 1 or more notches based on primary load settings(CV104). The throttle notches up using speed instead of requested speed while using the load feature. F29 must be turned off to return to normal mode.
This file has a Special feature providing the sounds and operation of the Head End Power unit. This is used on the prototype loco to provide electricity to the coaches as these locos are almost always used in passenger service.
To engage HEP you must be stopped in Idle. Pressing F26 (Shift 2) will engage the HEP unit and allow the prime mover to run at a higher RPM.
When in stations often the engineer will go into Standby mode to preserve fuel and to allow the noise levels to come down a little. Pressing F27 on the throttle once HEP has already been engaged will allow the prime mover to come down a little. Again this can only be done while sitting still as on the prototype there is not enough RPM to provide power to the coaches and traction motors at the same time in Standy Mode.
This file is also equipped with a Smart Start feature that cycles the prime mover on and off at intervals of your choice if the throttle is left at Idle and the loco is stopped.
Smart Start (Sound CV14):
CV168=0 No Smart Start Cycle - Default
CV168=1 - 3 Minute Cycle
CV168=2 - 6 Minute Cylcle
CV168=3 - 9 Minute Cylcle
CV168=4 - 12 Minute Cylcle
Etc.....
CV168=255 - 765 Minute Cycle
3rd Gen Horn Pack 1
Horns (SoundCV9):
CV163=0 Leslie S-3L-R
CV163=1 Leslie S-5T-RRO-R
CV163=2 Nathan K-2H
CV163=3 Nathan K-3H-L
CV163=4 Nathan K-3L
CV163=5 Nathan K-3LA
CV163=6 Nathan K-5HL
CV163=7 Nathan K-5H-R24
CV163=8 Nathan K-5L
CV163=9 Nathan K-5LA
CV163=10 Nathan K-5LA-R24
CV163=11 Nathan K-5L-LA
CV163=12 Nathan K-5L-R24
CV163=13 Nathan P-3
CV163=14 Nathan P-5-R24
CV163=15 Nathan K5-LA Amtrak Version 1
CV163=16 Nathan K5-LA Amtrak Version 2
CV163=17 Nathan K5-LA Amtrak Version 3
CV163=18 Nathan K5-LA Amtrak Version 4
GE Dash 8 Auto Bell On/Off Trigger Template Pack 1
Bells (SoundCV10):
CV164=0 GE M 6731022A Steel Bell 003
CV164=1 GE M 6731022A Steel Bell 008
CV164=2 GE M 6731022A Steel Bell 029
CV164=3 GE M 6731022A Steel Bell 034
CV164=4 GE M 6731022A Steel Bell 035
CV164=5 Graham-White E-Bell 001
Auto Bell:
Many Second and Third Generation locomotives have been fitted with an Automatic Bell that is triggered when the horn is blown. In MANY cases this cannot even be bypassed on modern locos. Before the FRA mandated this feature on new locomotives the bell was of course turned on and off separately. Some locomotives were delivered with a manual bell and have been converted to an automatic bell. This creates a challenge in sound file creation.
We realize that not every loco with a particular prime mover had this feature. As such we have built in an option to turn the feature on and off. We will set the default in the file to be what is most appropriate for the particular file.
To turn the feature OFF - Auto Bell OFF:
1. Remove the Auto bell sound slot from the function mapping chart
CV31 = 16, CV32 = 8
----------------------
CV311 = 4
2. Change the sound configuration of the Auto bell sound slot
CV31 = 16, CV32 = 1
----------------------
CV287 = 0
To turn the feature ON - Auto Bell ON:
1. ADD the Auto bell sound slot from the function mapping chart
CV31 = 16, CV32 = 8
----------------------
CV311 = 12
2. Change the sound configuration of the Auto bell sound slot
CV31 = 16, CV32 = 1
----------------------
CV287 = 1
Auto Bell Timer:
The Bell timer is amount of time the bell will play after the horn if the auto timer is active. The timer is broken down into 1/4 of a second increments.
CV169=4 - 1 Second
CV169=8 - 2 Seconds
CV169=12 - 3 Seconds
CV169=16 - 4 Seconds
CV169=20 - 5 Seconds - Default
Etc...
3rd Gereration Brake Squeal Template Pack 1
Brake Squeal (SoundCV11)
CV165=0 Composition Shoe #1
CV166=1 Composition Shoe #2
GE Dash 8 Air Dryer Template Pack 1
Air Dryer (SoundCV12)
CV166=0 B39-8E Air Dryer 1
CV166=1 B39-8E Air Dryer 2
CV166=2 B32-8 Air Dryer 1
CV166=3 B40-8 Air Dryer 1