1. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    CSX's 4400-hp DC-traction GEs are often called C44-9Ws by railfans, and I believe even by CSX itself. However, I can certainly see that they are not, having Dash-8 trucks. According to http://www.thedieselshop.us/GE_Dash8C.HTML they are C44-8Ws, a model only CSX has. http://www.thedieselshop.us/GE_Dash9.HTML confirms that CSX has no C44-9Ws. My question: What are the external differences between the C44-8W and the much more common C40-8W?
     
  2. drolsen

    drolsen TrainBoard Member

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    The primary difference between CSX's C44-8W and C40-8W is the radiator grills or "wings." If you compare the two, you'll see that the "wings" on the C44-8W are thicker, like a true C44-9W owned by UP, BNSF, etc. GE built CSX's units as an early "experiment" or transition unit to the Dash 9 series, and they needed to beef up the radiators to cool the higher horsepower prime mover.

    I have a feeling there are probably some other minor differences, like maybe the placement of a couple hatches or panels, or something small like that, because there were lots of variations like that just within the Dash 8 and Dash 9 series themselves. I haven't really put photos side by side to look at the two, but hopefully someone else can fill us in.

    Hope that helps!
     
  3. InkyRail

    InkyRail TrainBoard Member

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    The Trains' Field Guide to Modern Diesel Locomotives says the CSX C44-8Ws have the split cooling sytem of future -9s, and the rooftop dynamic brake intake was relocated.
     
  4. Robbman

    Robbman TrainBoard Member

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    GE had already moved the dynamic intakes to the sides from the roof by the time the C44-8s were built. This is a phase indicator, it was done at the time of the widecab introduction (1991)

    GE went to split-cooling not for horsepower, but for fuel economy (and to a lesser extent, emmissions, but this was mainly a by-product of better fuel economy). The C44-8Ws were the first production units to get split-cooling (though GE had tested it much earlier

    After the first three C44-8Ws were built in July 1993, split cooling became an option. All -8s built afterwards would have it, save for UPs C41-8Ws.
     
  5. chessie

    chessie TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think the early CSX units I photgraphed were actually labeled on the cab as CW44-8 and later all were changed to CW44-9.

    Harold
     

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