Most (except the electrics, the switchers, the AC6000CW, and the Evolution series) are powered by various versions of GE's own FDL diesel prime mover, based on a Cooper Bessemer design and manufactured at Grove City, Pennsylvania.
Models with "A" suffix are equipped with 12-cylinder prime mover in place of the standard 16-cylinder version, with the same power output.
After product improvements were made to the line in 1987 the official designations for models in this series changed to "Dash-8...", as shown in the list below.
Introduced during the Dash 8's later years were split-cooling in the radiators and electronic displays for the crews (instead of analogue gauges).
The Evolution Series locomotives replaced the Dash 9 and AC series in North America and exceeded the then new U.S. EPA Tier II emissions standards that took effect in 2005, reducing nitrogen oxides emissions by over 40% and improving fuel consumption as well.
While primarily a builder of freight locomotives, GE has on occasion been called upon to construct passenger models for specific customers.