description GE C36-7 Overview
The GE C36-7 is a six-axle, 3,600-horsepower diesel-electric freight locomotive manufactured by GE Transportation in the 1980s. As a part of GE's Dash 7 line, it was designed for heavy-haul road freight service and utilized a 16-cylinder prime mover. The C36-7 was extensively used by major North American railroads and was notably exported to China, where it was designated as the ND5. It represented an evolutionary step in diesel technology, serving as an immediate precursor to GE's highly successful Dash 8 series of locomotives.
help GE C36-7 FAQ
What does C36-7 mean on the GE locomotive?
The C indicates a six-axle C-C wheel arrangement, 36 refers to the 3,600-horsepower class, and Dash 7 identifies GE's Dash 7 generation. The model was GE's higher-power six-axle freight locomotive in that family. [Rapido Trains C36-7 history](https://rapidotrains.com/ho-scale/diesel-locomotives/c36-7.html)
What engine powers a GE C36-7?
The C36-7 uses GE's 7FDL16 four-stroke diesel prime mover with 16 cylinders. Standard references list the locomotive at 3,600 horsepower, although some later ratings and rebuild specifications differ. [American-Rails specifications](https://www.american-rails.com/41662.html)
When was the GE C36-7 built?
GE manufactured the C36-7 from 1978 through 1989, spanning the late 1970s and most of the 1980s. About 599 units were built, making it a significant Dash 7 export locomotive. [GE Dash 7 history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GE_Dash_7_Series)
How does the C36-7 differ from the GE C30-7?
The C36-7 has a 3,600-horsepower rating and a 16-cylinder 7FDL16 engine, while the C30-7 is a 3,000-horsepower model. Both belong to GE's Dash 7 family, but the C36-7 was designed for heavier six-axle freight work. [C36-7 specifications](https://www.american-rails.com/41662.html)
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