GE AC4400CW

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GE AC4400CW

CSX 209 in Newport News, Virginia, next to the former C&O coal tower.
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	General Electric (GE)  USA
Model	AC4400CW
Build date	1993 – 2004
Total production	2,598
AAR wheel arr.	C-C
UIC classification	Co'Co'
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Power output	4,400 hp
Locomotive brakes	Straight air
Train brakes	26-L air
Locale	North America
WikiProject Trains {{Infobox Locomotive Auto}}

The GE AC4400CW is a 4,400 horsepower diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1993 and 2004. It is similar to the Dash 9-44CW but features AC traction motors instead of DC, with a separate inverter per motor. 2598 examples of this locomotive were produced for North American railroads. As a result of more stringent emissions requirements that came into effect in the United States on January 1, 2005, the AC4400CW has been replaced by the GE ES44AC.

As of 2005, every Class I railroad with the exception of Norfolk Southern and the Canadian National Railway, owns at least one AC4400CW. These units quickly gained a reputation as powerful freight haulers, especially in heavy-haul applications.

The AC4400CW was the first GE locomotive to offer an optional self-steering truck design, intended to increase adhesion and reduce wear on the railhead. This extra cost option was specified by Canadian Pacific, Cartier Mining, CSX, Ferromex, Ferrosur, and KCS.

CSX ordered many of its AC4400CW locomotives with 20,000 lbs. extra weight to increase tractive effort. These same units were also modified in 2006-2007 with a "high tractive effort" software upgrade.^[1] CSX has redesignated these modified units from CW44AC to CW44AH.

[edit] Operators

AC4400CW current owners, as of August 21, 2006, include:

[edit] References