Description
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.
KCS, being a long time customer of EMD locomotives, turned to GE in late 1999 for 50 AC4400 units. They were factory painted in their then-current grey scheme. By 2006, they were renumbered to the 4575 series. KCS started to repaint them into their “Southern Belle” scheme in 2013. KCS, being a long time customer of EMD locomotives, turned to GE in late 1999 for 50 AC4400 units. They were factory painted in their then-current grey scheme. By 2006, they were renumbered to the 4575 series. KCS started to repaint them into their “Southern Belle” scheme in 2013.
KCS FEATURES: KCS FEATURES:
As-delivered appearance As-delivered appearance
Large plow Large plow
High mount number boards High mount number boards
Walkway mounted ditch lights Walkway mounted ditch lights
Mid production units Mid production units
5-chime horn 5-chime horn
GE style self-steering trucks GE style self-steering trucks
FEATURES: FEATURES:
DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector 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 Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Accurately -painted and -printed paint schemes Accurately -painted and -printed paint schemes
LED lighting adjusted to lifelike settings LED lighting adjusted to lifelike settings
Illuminated number boards Illuminated number boards
Illuminated ground lights above front trucks Illuminated ground lights above front trucks
Illuminated front and rear walkway lights Illuminated front and rear walkway lights
Illuminated marker lights (where applicable) Illuminated marker lights (where applicable)
Etched, see-through walkway steps Etched, see-through walkway steps
Animated roller bearing caps Animated roller bearing caps
Coupler cut levers Coupler cut levers
Flexible rubber MU hoses for durability Flexible rubber MU hoses for durability
Flexible rubber trainline hose Flexible rubber trainline hose
See-through cab windows See-through cab windows
Full cab interior Full cab interior
Walkway tread Walkway tread
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Windshield wipers Windshield wipers
Lift rings Lift rings
Wire grab irons Wire grab irons
Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
Sander lines Sander lines
Brass horns correct to the prototype Brass horns correct to the prototype
McHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible McHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain 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 drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Minimum radius: 18″ – Recommended radius: 22″ Minimum radius: 18″ – Recommended radius: 22″
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