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:

• 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

• Packaging securely holds model for safe storage

• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound

• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality

• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode

• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

• Precision slow speed control

• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

• CV chart included in the box

 

 

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:

• As-delivered appearance

• Low mount number boards

• Early production units

• Walkway capacitor box

• “Dual flags” scheme

• Large plow

• Walkway mounted ditch lights

• Nathan K3 horn

• CP classed DRF-44

• Single rear light

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #9500 Special RCMP artwork on cab sides

• #9511 Standard decoration

• #9517 Standard decoration

 

 

Looking for more Athearn AC4400CW Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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