HO AC4400CW Locomotive, with DCC & Sound, BNSF #5665 Overview
Delivered in 2004, BNSF AC4400CWs 5654-5717 represented the continuation of a string of GE A.C. traction purchases dating back to 1999. As A.C. traction motors are well-suited to moving heavy loads at lower speeds, the units were usually found on coal trains, although they did appear on other types of service as well. Interestingly, in 2015, forty-one units (including 5665) were leased to Metrolink to serve as lead units while their cab cars were repaired, lasting in this service for about one year.
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 many 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 take a careful eye to see such as the addition of a door stop, how the step wells are reinforced, or the number and positioning of panels and doors.
Athearn has captured all these details thorough research and precision tooling to reproduce dozens of variations. The newly tooled Genesis AC4400CW takes its reign as the new flagship model for Athearn.