AC4400CW - MagnumMacKivler/RLCPT2 GitHub Wiki
A Kansas City Southern AC4400CW in the "Southern Belle" scheme pulls a train into the the fall sunset in October of 2014. Note the self steering radial trucks equipped on this unit. Photo credit Wikipedia user Augy8400
The GE AC4400 is a 4400 horsepower mainline freight locomotive built by GE Transportation; it is the AC traction alternative to the equally successful C44-9W. The AC440CW stands as one of the first main offerings of a locomotive that uses AC traction motors. Another debuting feature on the AC4400CW was the use of either high adhesion trucks that better gripped the rails than the previous Rockwell design on Dash 8s, or radial steering trucks; the latter promised reduced wear on the railhead through curves through a set of steerable linkage.
Production of the AC4400CWs ran from introduction in 1993 to December 31st, 2004, when Tier 2 emissions legislation made production of the locomotives switch to the EPA-compliant ES44AC. In total, 2,834 units were made, with notable purchasers including Union Pacific (with a whopping 1,287 locomotives), CSX (594), Canadian Pacific (438), Southern Pacific (279), and BNSF (121).
The General Electric demonstrator locomotive features Dofasco trucks (equipped on Canadian ALCo and GE products) because of delays on the Hi-Ad and radial steering trucks, and is the sole unit to be built with them. The GE demo unit also was made with ATSF Dash 8 specs, such as a Dash 8 style fuel tank and gull wing cab.
The AC4400CW is best known for starring in an overrated movie with Denzel Washington. Canadian Pacific loaned their locomotives and forgot to repaint the movie's striped plows in a truly Unstoppable turn of fate. If you are unaware of what we're talking about search up AWVR, and once you navigate past the nauseating fanfics, you'll know...
FC&N administration would like to inform you running this locomotive or railroad will get you immediately blacklisted from becoming an admin, or at least judged harshly. Photo credit Robert Smith
PT-Specific Information
| General Info | - |
|---|---|
| Prime Mover | GE-7FDL16 |
| Horsepower | 4400 (1) |
| Truck Type | GE High Adhesion (2) |
| Axles | 6 |
| Traction Motors | 6 |
| Minimum Weight | 412,044 lbs ⚠ |
| Maximum Weight | 436,349 lbs |
| Model Base Speed | 75 MPH |
| Top Speed | 75 MPH |
| Electrical System | - |
|---|---|
| Generator Max Current | 6676.3 Amps (3) ⚠ |
| Max Traction Motor (TM) Current | 1380 Amps (3)(4) |
| Max Continuous TM Current | 1120 Amps (3)(4) |
| Traction Motor Type | AC |
| Factor of Adhesion | 42.55% ⚠ (5) |
| Transition Mode | Automatic, no selector |
| Transition Groups | 1 |
| Transition Shunts | 1 |
| Generator Transition | Yes |
| Traction Control | Electronic Traction Control |
| Dynamic Braking (DB) Mode (if used) | Electrical Blowers |
| DB Max Current | 1120 Amps ⚠ |
| DB Max Continuous Current | 1120 Amps ⚠ |
| Blended Braking | No |
| Miscellaneous | - |
|---|---|
| Head-End Power (HEP) | No |
| HEP Power Consumption | N/A |
| HEP Standby/Run Mode | N/A |
| Load Ramp Speed | 3 Amps/Tick ⚠ |
| TM Overload Protection | Yes |
| Starter Mode | Manual Primer, Manual Start (6) |
| Air Brake Schedule | 26-L |
| Compressor CFM | 236 (Wabco 3CDC @ 1050 RPM) |
| Main Reservoir Volume | 35 Cu.Ft ⚠ |
Notes
⚠: Not Verified or Educated Guess
(1) GE lists the 7FDL16's HP for traction at 4365 as of 2016, earlier manuals list it at 4390.
(2) Could also be ordered with a Self-Steering truck, which would supposedly reduce wear on the wheels. Can also be theoretically equipped with Dofasco trucks, however only the demonstrator had them.
(3) AC electrical gear is three-phase. Values shown here is for a single phase; the value used by RLC PT2 should be 3 times the value shown.
(4) The AC4400CW uses 5GEB13 traction motors; Listed ratings are for the GE 5GEB22, which is similar.
(5) Other listed adhesion factors found include 42.51%. UP's CCTE apparently allows the adhesion factor to be 46.33%.
(6) All locomotives also feature an automatic starter inside the cab.