Skip to content
Locomotive-Specs
EMD E8A – photo 1© trainspo.com
Diesel locomotive

EMD E8A

Built by EMD

Top speed
188 km/h
117 mph
Power output
1,678 kW
2,250 hp
Weight
143 t
315,261 lb
Length
21.41 m
70 ft 3 in
Track gauge
1,435 mm
Standard gauge
Years built
1949–1954
450 units

Overview of the EMD E8A

Discover the iconic EMD E8A locomotive, a powerful diesel workhorse that served various prestigious railways across the United States and Canada.

Built by EMD between 1949 and 1954, this classic locomotive boasts a top speed of 188 km/h and a robust power output of 1678 kW, making it a reliable choice for heavy hauling and passenger services.

With a length of 21.41 meters and a standard gauge of 1435 mm, the EMD E8A's distinctive (A1A)(A1A) axle configuration allowed for excellent weight distribution.

Its impressive career spanned operators like Amtrak, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania Railroad, and Canadian National Railway, cementing its place in railway history.

EMD E8A technical specifications

Value
Built byEMD · 1949–1954450 units
Top speed188 km/h117 mph
Power output1,678 kW2,250 hp
Track gauge1,435 mmStandard gauge4 ft 8½ in
UIC axle arrangement(A1A)(A1A)
Length21.41 m70 ft 3 in
Width3.24 m10 ft 8 in
Height4.45 m14 ft 7 in
Weight143 t315,261 lb
Source of the data: en.wikipedia.orgView this model on trainspo.com Spotted an error? Let us know

Operators of the EMD E8A

Railway companies that have operated the E8A, with the class designation used by each of them.

OperatorClassCountry
Canadian National RailwayCN E8ACanada
Amtrak National Railroad Passenger CorporationAMTK E8AUnited States
Arizona Eastern RailwayAZER E8AUnited States
Chesapeake and Ohio RailwayC&O E8AUnited States
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific RailroadMILW E8AUnited States
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadCRIP E8AUnited States
Florida East Coast RailwayFEC E8AUnited States
New Jersey TransitNJT E8AUnited States
New York CentralNYC E8AUnited States
Pennsylvania RailroadPRR E8AUnited States
Saratoga & North CreekSNC E8AUnited States
Union Pacific RailroadUP E8AUnited States

EMD E8A photos

Photos © their respective authors, shared on trainspo.com. They may show liveries or variants that differ from the specifications above.

More diesel locomotives from EMD

All EMD models

Similar diesel locomotives from other manufacturers

All diesel locomotives
All EMD models All diesel locomotives