C36-7 Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

The GE C36-7 entered service in 1977 as a powerful six-axle freight locomotive. Producing 3,600 horsepower from GE’s 7FDL-16 diesel engine, it built on the success of the Dash 7 series while offering extra muscle for heavy mainline service. Railroads quickly put the C36-7 to work on coal, grain, and intermodal trains across North America.

Major operators included Conrail, Southern Pacific, and Norfolk Southern. Over 500 units were built through 1984, with some exported internationally. Many C36-7s later served in rebuilt or secondary roles. Known for strength, reliability, and versatility, the C36-7 became a staple of late-20th-century freight operations.