GE calls it an ES44AC.
NS calls there’s an ES40DC.
BNSF calls there’s an AC4400CW.
And I have no idea what the UP calls there’s.
Now im realy confused!
Just mabe some of you can help me I hope.
That is a fairly complete sum-up of it. NS is already testing 15 ES40DC’s…I witnessed a pair first-hand pulling a Roadrailer up through Cresson, Pa last Summer…They have a unique sound to them…One thing to add to Mark’s answer is that the ES40/44 series makes the same HP as the previous Dash-Nine/AC4400 series from four fewer cylinders. The Dash Nine’s have a 16 cylinder Prime-mover while the ES’s have 12…The ES’s chug much faster than the Dash 9’s as a result. Dave Williams http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsaltoonajohnstown
GE designates them as ES40DC, ES44DC, and ES44AC (and so do the railroads). NS has 15 ES40DC’s, I don’t think anyone has the ES44DC yet, BNSF has 30 ES44AC’s, and UP has 5 ES44AC’s. UP chooses to call their units C45ACCTE as they are equiped with CTE (traction control) software and “45” was used to not cause confusion with the AC4400CW (or C44AC, as UP calls them). It does not reflect the horsepower rating.
As far as the reduction from 4400 to 4,000 HP for NS, I’ve read that it is a software program. The locomotive is capable of 4400, and with a switch, or key, from a road foreman, or equivalent, the extra 400 HP could be dialed in…At least that is what I’ve read…Dave Williams http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsaltoonajohnstown
I think I got it but thanks to all of you very much!
so confusing. i miss the good 'ol SD 40-2 or the U30C. now it’s all AC4934-LMNOPQRS-1-TIVO
I feel your pain. I do no where your coming from too. So much for the good ol’ days of good ol’ true Power!
Actually we’ve got it easy… How many designations (and names) did some steam wheel arrangements have? Sure, there were differences, but even identical locos would have a different designation, depending on the RR.
And consider some of the early diesel designations. The FM Trainmaster was “H24-66”.