GE AC44C6M

The GE AC44C6M is a 4,400-horsepower (3,300 kW) diesel locomotive that was built by GE Transportation Systems, and rebuilt by GE, American Motive Power, Inc., and Norfolk Southern's Juniata and Roanoke Shops, starting in September 2015. The AC44C6M retains the 16-cylinder 7FDL-16 prime mover used in the core locomotive prior to rebuilding, but features GE's alternating current 5GEB13B7 traction motors. Externally, the rebuilds have received new wide-nosed cabs and a new front hood section of the same design as on the ES44AC, while retaining the underframe and engine and radiator compartments of the original Dash 9 units. Internally, the AC44C6M features a new under-floor air conditioner, cab signals, LSL, DPU systems, PTC, and ECP braking ability, a significant technological improvement from the GE Dash 9-40C units. [3]

GE AC44C6M[1]
NS 4068 in Chesterton.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation Systems/American Motive Power, Inc/Norfolk Southern
ModelAC44C6M
Build dateAugust 2015-present
Total produced275 (at least 575 planned)
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
Gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
TrucksGE HiAd
Wheel diameter40 in (1,000 mm)
Wheelbase13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
Length73 ft 2 in (22.30 m)
Loco weight432,000 lb (196 t), full supplies - (fuel oil, lube oil, sand).
Fuel capacity4,600 US gal (17 kL)
Lubricant cap.410 US gal (1.6 kL)
Sandbox cap.40 cu ft (1.1 m3)
Prime moverGE 7FDL-16
Traction motorsGE 5GEB13B7 AC
Performance figures
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Power output4,400 hp (3,300 kW)
Tractive effort180,000 lbf (800 kN) (continuous)
200,000 lbf (890 kN) (starting) [2]
Career
LocaleUnited States
Current ownerNorfolk Southern, Canadian Pacific, CSX Transportation

Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) is a significant operator of this model. All 124 of their remaining Dash 9-40C units, numbered 8764–8888 (excluding 8798, which was wrecked in 2018) were rebuilt from 2015 to 2018 and numbered 4000-4124.[1] The railway plans to also upgrade all of its Dash 9–40CW units to the same standard.

Union Pacific Railroad (UP) also operates a significant number of similar locomotives, and plans to send 1,000 units to GE for overhauls.[4]

Operators
Railroad Quantity Road numbers Notes
Norfolk Southern 601 4000–4599 8520 Originally Built as C40-9s and C40-9Ws. 4001 wrecked, repaired and new horn placed. 4063 wrecked in 2018 and retired. 4000-4005 & 8520 were painted into special paint liveries, 8520 classed as AC44C6CF and retains original cab; later retired and sold.
Canadian Pacific 281 8000-8280 Originally Built as AC4400CWs. Units 8200-8280 have different builds than 8000-8199. These units are classed as AC4400CWMs.
CSX 300 7000-7299 Originally Built as GE AC4400CWs. Units 7000-7199 are rebuilt from 1-173 series and 7200-7299 are rebuilt from 200-onwards. These units are classed as CM44ACs (AC4400CWMs).
QNS&L 19 430-448 Originally built as BNSF/GECX C44-9Ws.
Fortescue Metals Group TBA 100 series Originally built as BNSF/GECX C44-9Ws. Feature larger radiators for expanded cooling capacity, similar to ES44ACi and ES44DCi.
Union Pacific 1,000 6000/7000 series Retain original numbers and cabs. Some units originally built as AC6000CWs. These units are classed as C44ACMs.

References
  1. Toth, Chris (2019). "Norfolk Southern Diesel Locomotive Roster: GE AC44C6M Nos. 4000-4237, 4239-4274". NSDash9. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  2. Trains Locomotive, August 2016
  3. "Wabtec locomotive remanufacturing program completes 1,000th unit".
  4. "GE Locomotive Modernization program expands under Wabtec | Trains Magazine".

Further reading
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