AC4400CW. 279 units. That's my vote. SD70M was about that time, too, but only 25 units. I think the SD70M (1994) was earlier than the AC4400CW (1995).
The ACeez were pretty new when UP shut down Tennessee Pass in '97. I would venture a guess as '95-96? Espee Experts?
I would say the C44-9 they came out around the Fall of SP. That is a guess I don't know for a fact. But it will be nice to find out which was.
SUre could be. Wish I knew there numbering system could help Hey your in the same place that the NSC Convention will be next June. I'll be there what sights are around worth visiting while there? Thanks Glen Helping keep SP alive
Oh, yeah, there are plenty sights around here. On my "To-Do" list is to write an article for the NSC magazine covering where all to go for the best rail-fan locations. There should be other articles by different folks covering other things to do that will be published also.
So would the AC4400CW be newer than the C44-9W? Or did they get delivered at the same time? The only difference is AC vs. DC motors? is that correct? And whats the dead give away when looking at them to tell the difference between the two?
Well courtesy of "Wiki" The GE AC4400CW was a 4,400 horsepower diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems between 1993 and 2004. It is similar to the Dash 9-44CW but features AC traction motors instead of DC, with a separate inverter per motor. 2598 examples of this locomotive were produced for North American railroads. As a result of more stringent emissions requirements that came into effect in the United States on January 1, 2005, the AC4400CW has been replaced by the GE ES44AC. The GE C44-9W is a 4,390 hp (3,273 kW) diesel locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania. Keeping in tradition with GE's locomotive series nicknames beginning with the "Dash 7" of the 1970s, the C44-9W was dubbed the "Dash 9" upon its debut in 1993. The design has since proven popular with North American railroads. Because of more stringent emissions requirements that came into effect in the United States on January 1, 2005, the Dash 9-44CW has been replaced in production by the GE ES44DC. From that I would stand to say they both came around the same time and were both replaced by the same models GE ES44DC/AC's (GEVO's) By the way the only difference I can tell; is the venting on the side in the front rite off. Top BNSF is a -9 the CSX is a C4400
It had to be the AC4400CW's. I thought it would have been the rebuilt GP38-2 from Helm. But the re#ed those unit to make room for the ACees.
Big difference between the C44-9W and the AC4400CW is the inverter cabinet behind the cab on the left side of the AC where the Dash 9 just has the air conditioner. Some roads' AC44s, like the CSX one above, had steerable trucks which no DC unit had, but not SP. The C44-9W was introduced in 1993, the first going to CNW, and the AC4400CW in 1994, the first going to CSX. SP got theirs in 1994 and 1995 respectively. I believe the SD40M-2s were being rebuilt from SD40s, SD45s and SDP45s into 1996, but you did say the last new locomotive.
Hope I'm not going off subject with this, but now WHY the difference? Is there a big benefit or otherwise with AC vs. DC with respect to locomotives?
Cost is my guess. DC units may be easier, thus cheaper to manufacture. AC units are most useful in slow drag service, where their traction motors are superior in starting, and low speed tractive effort. DC motors, IIRC, cannot be given max amps below a certain speed? I read that AC motors can be stalled at max amperage, and will not be damaged. Try stalling a DC motor at max amps!
The last NEW locomotive built for Espee was SP AC4400CW 378 (Built Oct. 1995) The M-K SD40M-2's where delivered in 1994-1995. The last AC4400 was built in October 1995 (SP 378) and the last SD40M-2 was built on Feb. 24th, 1995 (SP 8625 and 8626) which where built at M-K's Mountain Top, PA. plant. Hope that helps answer your question.
Ok, I knew it was close. I just remember towards the end, SP got: SD70Ms GP60s SD40M-2s GP40M-2s Dash9-44CWs AC4400CWs
