| GE AC44C6M |
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| Type and origin |
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
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| Builder | |
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| Model | AC44C6M |
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| Build date | August 2015-present |
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| Total produced | Over 700 (hundreds more planned) |
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| Specifications |
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Configuration:
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| • AAR | C-C |
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| Gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
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| Trucks | GE HiAd |
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| Wheel diameter | 40 in (1,000 mm) |
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| Wheelbase | 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m) |
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| Length | 73 ft 2 in (22.30 m) |
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| Loco weight | 432,000 lb (196 t), full supplies -
(fuel oil, lube oil, sand). |
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| Fuel capacity | 4,600 US gal (17 kL) |
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| Lubricant cap. | 410 US gal (1.6 kL) |
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| Sandbox cap. | 40 cu ft (1.1 m3) |
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| Prime mover | GE 7FDL-16 |
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| Traction motors | GE 5GEB13B7 AC |
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| Performance figures |
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| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
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| Power output | 4,400 hp (3,300 kW) |
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| Tractive effort | 180,000 lbf (800 kN) (continuous) 200,000 lbf (890 kN) (starting) |
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The GE AC44C6M is an AC-traction 4,400-horsepower (3,300 kW) diesel locomotive, rebuilt from GE Transportation Dash 9 locomotives. AC44C6M rebuilds have been done by GE (now Wabtec), American Motive Power, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway's Juniata and Roanoke Shops, starting in September 2015. The AC44C6M retains the 16-cylinder 7FDL-16 prime mover used in the core locomotive prior to rebuilding, but replaces the Dash 9's DC traction motors with alternating current GE 5GEB13B7 traction motors. Externally, Norfolk Southern's Dash 9-40Cs received new wide-nosed cabs, and all rebuilt locomotives have a new hood front section with a new inverter cabinet behind the cab, while retaining the underframe and engine and radiator compartments of the original Dash 9 units.
Rebuilding an old Dash 9 locomotive into an AC44C6M costs only 50-60% that of purchasing a brand new AC locomotive. Wabtec claims a 17% improvement in fuel efficiency, 30% improvement in reliability, and a 55% improvement in haulage capability.