In 2002, GE released the first of a new series of locomotives that would replace the popular Dash-9 series. The ES44DC and ES44AC, often called GEVOs for General Electric Evolution series, were designed to meet the stricter diesel locomotive emissions standards imposed by the EPA Tier II regulations. To meet the new standards, GE developed the 12-cylinder GEVO 12 engine. Both the bore and stroke were increased to produce the same 4400 horsepower as the older 7FDL16 16-cylinder engine. The new engine drives an alternator producing AC current that is rectified to DC current. On the ES44DC, this powers the traction motors. On the ES44AC, the DC current is “chopped” back into AC to power the traction motors. The two models share a common 73’ 2” frame and external appearance.

The ES44DC and ES44AC external details have changed with almost every year’s new orders. These models are of the early version from 2005 and 2006 and include the nose door on the left side, two closelyspaced dynamic brake vents, X-panels on the electrical cabinet with a capacitor box on the walkway just behind it, side grab irons on the long hood and flush-mounted top radiator grilles and radiator compartment doors.

BNSF was formed in 1996 from the merger of Santa Fe and Burlington Northern. Originally known as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, the name was changed to BNSF Railway in 2005. At the time of the merger, BNSF was the largest railroad in North America. It remains North America’s largest coal hauler. BN was the first railroad to place modern AC locomotives into regular service with the SD70MAC.

BNSF continued BN practices and was the first railroad to receive ES44ACs beyond the five test units. BNSF placed five additional orders in 2005 and 2006, totaling 385 ES44ACs with another 300 ES44ACs on five orders between 2007 and 2009. As soon as the third order was complete, GE started on the fourth BNSF order for 200 ES44ACs, numbered 5844 through 6043, and built them between October 2005 and July 2006. ES44ACs 5862, 5906 and 5933 are from this order.

The models feature the distinctive BNSF four-window cab side windows, nose-mounted headlights and cabmounted number boards. BNSF ES44ACs were bought for coal service and frequently appear in other capacities. Hauling Powder River Coal, they frequently run on CSX, NS, KCS and CN lines.

Features:

• Low front headlight
• Large antenna dome
• Small GPS dome
  
• Two dynamic brake exhaust vents with close spacing and flush housing
  
• Capacitor box
  
• Short auxiliary cab rear left-side doors
  
• Right side forward electrical cabinet with X-Panel
  
• Nathan K5HL horn
  
• Engine compartment side grab irons
  
• Flush radiator compartment doors
  
• Hand brake panel grille
  
• Flush heat exchanger housing and top radiator grilles
  
• 5000-gallon fuel tank
• Short front plow
• Nose door window
• High number boards
• 4-window cab side windows
• Desktop control stand
• Sunshades
• Salem air filter
• Electronic parking brake
• Hi-adhesion trucks
• High rear sand filler
• Low rear vertical headlight
• Available in DCC Ready and factory installed DCC w/Sound
• Sound units are Dual-mode, compatible with both DCC and DC operations