CP Rail System
Canadian Pacific’s fleet of 438 AC4400CWs were the highest-numbered units on the roster. Canadian Pacific had the third-largest group of these machines, and used them in all types of service. As of 2022, most have since entered into the AC44CWM program and been rebuilt into the 8100-8280 series. #9500 is decorated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police artwork on the cab sides. “The Musical Ride” is an organization that supports front-line police operations in Canada. For more info, visit https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/musical-ride
CP FEATURES:
ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Quebec Cartier Railway
The Quebec Cartier Railway (QCM) operates approximately 260 miles of track in the Canadian province of Quebec hauling large amounts of Iron Ore. Known for their fleet of Alco locomotives, QCM turned to GE for a small batch of new AC4400’s beginning in 2001 to replace their aging Alco fleet. A unique feature of these units is a red beacon mounted on the long hood which operates when the prime mover is off to warn against possible freezing coolant.
QCM FEATURES:
Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Delivered in 2004, BNSF AC4400CWs 5654-5717 represented the continuation of a string of GE A.C. traction purchases dating back to 1999. As A.C. traction motors are well-suited to moving heavy loads at lower speeds, the units were usually found on coal trains, although they did appear on other types of service as well. Interestingly, in 2015, 41 units (including 5665) were leased to Metrolink in Southern California to serve as lead units while their cab cars were repaired, lasting in this service for about one year.
BNSF FEATURES:
Union Pacific
UP has always been on the forefront of new locomotive technology. When GE announced an AC version of their popular DC Dash 9 locomotives, UP ordered three (9997-9999) in 1994 for testing. Pleased with the results, UP would come back in 1996 and order 149 units (6738-6887). Through mergers with SP and CNW, UP became one of the largest owners of AC4400’s with over 900 production units. A few received UP’s newer “flag” scheme as depicted with UP 6700 which was originally UP 9997, UP’s very first AC4400.
UP FEATURES:
ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:
PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:
Introduced by GE in 1993 and built until 2004, when it was replaced by the Evolution Series Tier II compliant model, the AC4400CW is a staple of modern railroading. 2,834 examples were built with many still plying the rails in their as-delivered configurations or as rebuilt variations. Many Class 1, regional, and foreign railroads purchased the AC4400CWs. Ownership spanned the North American Continent and with their long lives, have seen numerous paint scheme variations and ownership changes through the years. The AC4400CW went through a large number of changes during its production. Some are easily noticeable; early units being delivered with GE’s Hi-Adhesion Trucks, while later units that had the option for newly developed GE Steerable Truck. Other details are smaller and takes a careful eye to see; the addition of a door stop, how the step wells are reinforced, or the number and positioning of panels and doors.
Athearn has captured all these details thorough research and precision tooling to reproduce dozens of variations. The newly tooled Genesis AC4400CW takes its reign as the new flagship model for Athearn.
AC4400CW SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE
Order Due Date: November 25, 2022
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