Remembering Retired Locomotives: General Electric Dash 9-40C - The C40-9 "Top Hats"

The General Electric C40-9 was a first generation Dash 9 built specifically for Norfolk Southern who requested their first order without wide cabs - and was the only railroad to do so. Nicknamed "Top Hats" by railfans, these locomotives were in service from 1995 until 2015-18 when they were gradually retired and sent into the AC44C6M rebuild program. None remain in service today or have been preserved, so we look back on the fond memories of witnessing these locomotives trackside.

[@CentralVirginiaRailProductions]

R.I.P the unique beasts they were.

[@AmtrakTBL]

Miss these units

[@balloonboy303thegamingrail4]

The C40s were an absolute beast, sucks they had to retire, but its just the way it is.

[@angelmalarkey7946]

Well, they were such a good locomotives and I love them, goodbye C40-9, and well done. 👍

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Well I'd have to say you did the impossible, you caught this die-hard steam freak's attention with a video about a contemporary diesel locomotive and held it good and tight! Well done! A very interesting show!

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Hey thanks for the kind words and glad you found it interesting!

[@NS6711]

I loved all these clips of trains, especially the winter ones! I do miss the C40-9's as well

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@NS6711]

@@CentralPennRailProductionsNo problem! I hope also one day, you upload full clips of these trains

[@FDNY8231]

I was a C39-8 (Camel) fan so when they started getting these. I wasn't too happy, but they did have my two favorite Nathan Air-chime horns on them in the K5LA and P5. Awesome look back at some really neat pieces of railroad history.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yeah those hunchbacks were pretty neat, felt bad for the crews though with how low those cabs were. I remember watching them all the time along with the C32-8s around here and only really picked up a camera at the tail end of those in service.

[@unionpacificrailfan783]

i grew up With Union Pacific Railroad back in 70's used to be Union Pacific U50 really old retired locomotive its sad there not exist no more there makin a new Union Pacific i wish all exist

[@tavarussmith7194]

Was always my favorite locomotive and now the Sd70ace.

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

I only caught on C40-8 or C40-9 trailing on NS 14G at WoodBourne back in March of 2010 I forgot what number it was. I never seen them lead. Atleast I seen the unit. This was at the time I started to go out for freight trains.

[@mauriciomagana5218]

Definitely one of the most unique and recognizable designs in NS rooster. As a railfan residing in Mexico, I can’t help finding resemblance between these locos and the rebuilt C30-S7MP from KCSM (today CPKC) and FXE. Sadly, many of them are gone as well and nowadays SD40-2s have taken over in both railways.

[@TexasRailfan21-RailfanRyan]

I once had an encounter with a pair of these Norfolk Southern locomotives on a union pacific empty stack train in my home state of Texas and what was really cool is that the lead engine had a Leslie RS5T horn

[@milepost26.69]

I remember growing up seeing these things everywhere. Since I live in the southeast they were very common since most were based out of the carolinas or georgia. Sadly ive lost all footage of those that remained and it was a sad day when the last one was rebuilt.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yep you are right that they were more of a common sight down south. Just like the high hoods did not really make their way up here (except some in local service) because of those same cab signal requirements. That's unfortunate you lost the footage but sounds like you have a ton of great memories!

[@milepost26.69]

@@CentralPennRailProductions Yeah I have tons of great memories. Thanks for making this video, I really enjoyed it

[@UnionPacificRailroader]

They are great locomotives with a rich hostory! But sadly they have to be retired at some point... Great video!

[@dknowles60]

yea they cant even last 20 years, How many Sd 40's are still around

[@arrowlock]

@UnionPacificRailroader The C40-9s weren't exactly retired, they were rebuilt into AC44C6Ms.

[@ejdsndnj]

@@dknowles60 there's an old sd40-2 still roaming around CSX. It was built in 1966 for the PRR railroad (built as an SD40) then built to SD40-2 specs. It's 58 years old.

[@MarcelosalivaTRENESArg]

Muy buen video querido Amigo desee Argentina 🇦🇷 mi apoyo 💪🏻 un saludo 🙋🏻

[@ChainsawNW1218]

I remember those GEs,nice footage also,I like Nathan air horns and Leslie even though You don't hear as much anymore, I was watching some older footage from 2001 and 02 with older EMD power and Conrail Leslie S3L and NS RS-5T around Radford VA!🛤🚂👍

[@denault3985]

Great looking locomotives, great looking production...

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks! How have you been?

[@Cnw8701]

There was also an FRA mandate that stated that all road diesels ordered by Class 1 railroads built after 1995 had to be equipped with "Safety Cabs". The 1999 Conrail merger and IC/CN merger were exempted from this rule, however.

[@rickrogers2649]

As a longtime viewer of your channel I probably have seen most of these clips before but they're even better now with your narration. Good stuff ! Thanks for putting this together.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks for the long time loyalty! Some of these clips were scattered in other videos but a lot were entirely uploaded for the first time!

[@robscott8296]

Last I heard my friend Aaron who went to horseshoe curve for vacation said he saw one in Altoona being used for fuel testing which was last year although it’s a C39-8E

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yes! It's a C39-8E, precursor to the C40-8s.

[@jpdriver1967]

Great video! Love the history lesson. I live along the BNSF and see a number of NS units being towed to and from Ft Worth for rebuild every month.

[@bnsf7562]

Sure do miss those top hats! I didn’t realize that NS was the only road to purchase them.

[@fxe4005]

☹️☹️ those engines were awesome !

[@gleanerk]

I work for a oil company and was sent a hour drive north of our location to fill a NS engine. When I got there I thought it was a dash 8 but to my surprise it was a dash 9 with the cab you were showing. Didn’t have these phones then or I’d had some pictures. Hey thanks for your videos !

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

That's a cool story! And thanks for watching and commenting.

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

Another standard cab bites the dust... Hoping at least one of the Tops Hats are preserved!

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Unfortunately none have been preserved in their entire state but part of the cab of 8808 lives on as part of a custom built switcher at GE in Erie.

[@WeenyBeanyHere]

@@CentralPennRailProductions 😔

[@Haya_archive1]

I remember seeing one around Chicago one time. And sad that’s the only time I’ll ever get to see them

[@davidstrawn9272]

They're my favorite Norfolk Southern diesels since I watched Pentrex video "Along the Pocahontas District", and by the time Norfolk Southern cancelled steam program retired 611 in 1994, 611 didn't get to meet the C40-9's, but however, she did when she was restored.

[@Trains21]

Dang.. I gotta up my game! Liked no. 442.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks AC!

[@SignalMan9292]

I’ve got one in N Scale at Lombard hobbies today

[@RkP_5000]

Terrific Video Homie 😎

[@Porschedude8]

Well done! 👏😊

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thank you!

[@s197_carti]

Sweet video, I seen many of these on the HARL and REAL a few years back.

[@nstrainfanyt]

I remember seeing only one of these (NS #8831) in Gainesville, GA. Met a sb intermodal with an m-2 third. Good times.

[@premkumarkizhakkepat1772]

40-9 Rebuilt into AC44Cm

[@Sacto1654]

I wonder did NS consider building the C40-9's into AC traction locomotives with wide cabs.

[@tsrtrainproductions]

As always amazing video man love the work you put into these videos its a inspiration for me

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

I'm glad you like them that much, thanks again!

[@tsrtrainproductions]

@@CentralPennRailProductions not a problem anytime

[@railfanmaximstill7279]

1:22 And the Radiator Grills

[@ohiorailfann124]

Although the Top Hats are not around anymore we still have a very good population of wide cab dash 9s until they too will turn into C6ms. Lets hope that doesn't happen for a long while.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yeah true, not the mention the fact that several G&W short lines have been acquiring handfuls of Dash 9s.

[@23431]

I love the videos and can’t wait to see the next one

[@Nicola636128]

Great video join with a detailed explanation, well done.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks!

[@armandoperez7967]

I remember them and enjoyed seeing them. Not technically retired but rebuilt into AC44C6M locomotives, with AC traction and new wide noses. As for cab top air conditioners, Florida East Coast has had roof top air conditioning units on its locomotives since the late 70s. I wonder if future Dash 9 rebuilds will have a conventional cab replace the wide nose cab and used for heavy duty local service? It’s not impossible.

[@draytonblackgrove]

Excellent video!

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks man! Great job with the KCS video!

[@logandetwiler4483]

Would love to see more of these videos. The C40-8W

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

More coming, the C40-8W is sort of a work in progress as things continue to pan out with them.

[@angelmalarkey7946]

So does it mean that every single one of them including the NS 8879 got scrapped?

[@CSXEK]

I have 8868! In HO scale it was my 1st road engine I have NS 8868!

[@RyanDrake371]

Fun facts - 8824 was the only C40-9 to not be repainted before rebuild. Also 8795 was the only C40-9 to receive PTC before rebuild. Lastly, 8806 was the final unit in service.

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Thanks, these are good facts!

[@RDC2003]

Rip C40-9 standard cabs

[@spencerjamesmckibbin]

Will you put out some more Flashback videos to share like the old Conrail quality diesels and Norfolk Southern Switching on H31 and H33?

[@Vectrum0013]

one fun side note is NS still to this day calls the Conklin NY yard "DH yard"

[@AndreiTupolev]

I never even knew any old-style cab Dash 9's existed. 🤔

[@minnesotarailfan11]

Neither did I and just so u know it was called the Standard cab

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yep! Just these 125.

[@NSFAN8000]

Damn, I wish I could have seen one of them, but theyre all gone now. Well, Just be grateful that u got 2 see em rolling by while u could, and that u can tell their story 2 future Generations of railfans like me. Also, I've noticed that stuff has been running on the Port Road in Borad Daylight Recently (With NS 1072 even Leading 597 up in broad daylight). Do u now y this is happening and how long will this last 4?

[@foreverconrail]

Eric are going to do the C40-8’s??? miss you buddy 😉

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Oh definitely, it's already in the works!

[@foreverconrail]

@@CentralPennRailProductions Eric awesome! some day you should come and visit me in Rochester NY.

[@jonahtherailfan1012]

You should a video with SD70 Standard Cab’s

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

It's in the works!

[@krishnavenikunnathodi2942]

Some Distinguishing features between GE C40-8 and C40-9. Include White head brows on which the 40-9 had and when compared to 40-8 because 40-8 has black head brows

[@PArailkid]

2:59 I actually railfan there that’s my favorite spot that’s Lebanon PA

[@DrunkinHusk]

The C40-9’s will be missed at least I got a video of it tho😢

[@unionpacificrailfan783]

i have a request can you talk about History of Frisco Railroad used to be before Arkansas & Missouri Railroad

[@Karimlovestrains]

I wis I could catch one of these locomotives but I didn’t. 😞

[@ns_railfanner7299]

Rip kings of rails.. NS will not be remembered

[@krishnavenikunnathodi2942]

Now I got it

[@doubleutubefan5]

16:55 What company is that box car? It has a HUGE faded bird paint job and its green like Penn Central?

[@doubleutubefan5]

NM I found it. its a Berlin Mills boxcar. That is COOL

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

Yes, that is indeed a Berlin Mills boxcar, I hope someone would notice because those are a rarity, not sure if any more are still around.

[@doubleutubefan5]

@@CentralPennRailProductions It makes me more happy when I can have fellow rail fans who filmed the entire train because trains aren't just about power. It's the commodities there hauling and a lot of times. That's a whole story in itself

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

These were some of the coolest looking diesel locomotives on NS. I wish one would have been preserved instead of all of them getting rebuilt and becoming just like the now hundreds of identical GE rebuilds.

[@ejdsndnj]

I wonder what the C40-9 locomotives look like in the CSX YN3 And YN2 paint schemes.

[@NW-gi1cp]

Pretty sure the cab of one is outside at the vmt entrance

[@AGTCRailroader]

9:52 if i was old enough, i would of seen this train, since NS 15T goes through my area as a southbound.

[@AGTCRailroader]

11:27 is another mention of 15T here.

[@AGTCRailroader]

16:24 and another mention

[@AGTCRailroader]

17:03 and another

[@ashtonlorenzo7217]

I wish there were ex conrail c40-9s

[@krishnavenikunnathodi2942]

And PTC box on the 40-9

[@syeet1234]

GE still has one C40-9 at their Erie plant

[@CentralPennRailProductions]

They reused part of the cab from 8808 to build a switcher. All C40-9s are gone.

[@cjcompton9410]

@@CentralPennRailProductionsgreat video

[@taslimchoudhary1253]

🍂🍁🇮🇳🍁🍂 Nice Video

[@augustonetoaugustoneto]

central penn rall productions good morring this videos norfolk southern VALE rio doce Estrada de ferro carajas post this videos? Saturdays?

[@mptrainzeferrovias7257]

1:08 para mim aqui no brasil e meio estranho falar dash-9 e vê a locomotiva com a cabine da dash-8 mas ao mesmo tempo e interessante

[@augustonetoaugustoneto]

Mp trainz e ferrovias bom dia! tudo bem? Filmou estrada de ferro Carajas saído de São Luís-MA para parauabebas PA completos sudeste completas dia 14 01 2023 sábado 17 01 2023 terça-feira 17 01 2023 Saindo de parauabebas do Pará 6:00 sudeste para São Luís-MA madrugada nordeste 23:59 VHS 800x jvc fita filmadora trem de passageiros vale EFC modificado roadraillers triple crown trucks trailers acelerado rápido train transporte UPS extra Clipper Sheila bellaver sadia perdigão prime inc trailers triple crown

[@krishnavenikunnathodi2942]

For