Description
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.
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:
As-delivered appearance
Small plow
High mount number boards
Walkway mounted ditch lights
Late production units
K3 horn
BNSF/ATSF "Gullwing" style cab
Large roof GPS dome
FEATURES:
DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Accurately -painted and -printed paint schemes
LED lighting adjusted to lifelike settings
Illuminated number boards
Illuminated ground lights above front trucks
Illuminated front and rear walkway lights
Illuminated marker lights (where applicable)
Etched, see-through walkway steps
Animated roller bearing caps
Coupler cut levers
Flexible rubber MU hoses for durability
Flexible rubber trainline hose
See-through cab windows
Full cab interior
Walkway tread
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Windshield wipers
Lift rings
Wire grab irons
Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
Sander lines
Brass horns correct to the prototype
McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Minimum radius: 18" - Recommended radius: 22"
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:
As-delivered appearance
Small plow
High mount number boards
Walkway mounted ditch lights
Late production units
K3 horn
BNSF/ATSF "Gullwing" style cab
Large roof GPS dome
FEATURES:
DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Accurately -painted and -printed paint schemes
LED lighting adjusted to lifelike settings
Illuminated number boards
Illuminated ground lights above front trucks
Illuminated front and rear walkway lights
Illuminated marker lights (where applicable)
Etched, see-through walkway steps
Animated roller bearing caps
Coupler cut levers
Flexible rubber MU hoses for durability
Flexible rubber trainline hose
See-through cab windows
Full cab interior
Walkway tread
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Windshield wipers
Lift rings
Wire grab irons
Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
Sander lines
Brass horns correct to the prototype
McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Minimum radius: 18" - Recommended radius: 22"
