The 2,250 hp came from two 12 cylinder model 567B engines, each driving a generator to power the two traction motors on one truck.

After passenger trains were canceled on the Erie Lackawanna in 1970 (excluding their commuter service, which the State of New Jersey subsidized starting in the late 1960s), the E8s were re-geared for freight and were very reliable for the EL.

[8] The former NYC 4085, preserved at the New York Central Railroad Museum, was the lead locomotive on the final eastbound 20th Century Limited.

Privately owned, this unit is ex-Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad E8A #652 and was used for special events.

However, unlike many E units rebuilt for commuter service, it retained its twin EMD 12-567B prime movers.

Chicago and North Western #5022B, later renumbered to 519 and then used by Metra, is now labeled as "MREX 97", is at the Arizona Railway Museum.

The WVRR Museum partnered with the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad to undertake restoration of the unit as of February 20, 2024.

One unit went to CSX (never operated[12]), and two were sold off to Bennett Levin, CEO of the Juniata Terminal Company, where they have been overhauled and painted as twin Pennsylvania Railroad E8's.

As of 2019, these units are not in operation due to a decision by the owner not to retrofit them with positive train control (PTC).

The unit was repainted in its original livery as Erie 833, and was on display for a while on the turntable at Port Jervis, NY.