After ILW produced the class R1 & R2 motors for the Chicago electrification, the Portland Shops decided that this would be time to start an arms race with their compatriots across the border (the ILW workforce was delighted to hear this, of course, because it meant that their friendly rivalry was likely to get even better now) by updating their 9000HP class K7 into a truly ridiculous 12000HP machine.

The class K8 motors were slid into production in early 2025 when #1669-1670 were delivered to the D&H instead of the K7s they had ordered. These units are, like classes L & R1, geared for 200KPH (these speeds are only allowed on the B&Q between Bangor & Augusta, Maine, the PV&T between Rochester & Barrington, New Hampshire, the D&H between Attica & Cheektowaga, New York, and the OSW between Fort Erie & Courtright, Ontario; in practice, trains never run over 160KPH on any of this trackage) and have a hour rating of approximately 15000HP.

The two K8s are currently powering the priority container trains from St John, NB to and from Chicago, IL.