Athearn HO Scale AC4400 Locomotive - Chicago & North Western

Athearn HO Scale Ready To Run AC4400 Locomotive C&NW #8819

Product Features

Fully assembled and ready for your layout
Flush mounted individual window 'glass'
Factory installed Celcon handrails
Prototypically accurate horns
DCC ready wiring harness installed

Product Description

== Key Features == / / * Fully assembled and ready for your layout / * Flush mounted individual window 'glass' / * Factory installed Celcon handrails / * Prototypically accurate horns / * DCC ready wiring harness installed / * Directional headlights / * Machined RP25 profile metal wheels / * McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers installed / / == Specs == / / * DCC:Ready / * SOUND:No / * PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER:General Electric / * COUPLER STYLE:McHenry scale knuckle / * RTR/KIT:Ready To Run / * ERA:1994 - Now / * MIN. RADIUS:18" / * Minimum Age Recommendation:14 years / * Is Assembly Required:No

The GE AC4400CW was a 4,400 horsepower diesel-electric 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more stringent emissions requirements that came into effect in the United States on January 1, 2005, the AC4400CW has been replaced by the GE ES44AC.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. CSX has redesignated these modified units from CW44AC to CW44AH.

Other HO Scale AC4400 Locomotives: Athearn HO Scale GE AC4400 Locomotive - Union Pacific / Athearn HO Scale AC4400 Locomotive - Southern Pacific