GE AC44C6M

GE AC44C6M[1]
NS 4068 in Chesterton, Indiana
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems American Motive Power, Inc Norfolk Southern Model AC44C6M Build date August 2015-present Total produced Over 700 (hundreds more planned)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Trucks GE HiAd Wheel diameter 40 in (1,000 mm) Wheelbase 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m) Length 73 ft 2 in (22.30 m) Loco weight 432,000 lb (196 t), full supplies - (fuel oil, lube oil, sand). Fuel capacity 4,600 US gal (17 kL) Lubricant cap. 410 US gal (1.6 kL) Sandbox cap. 40 cu ft (1.1 m3) Prime mover GE 7FDL-16 Traction motors GE 5GEB13B7 AC
Performance figures Maximum speed 75 mph (121 km/h) Power output 4,400 hp (3,300 kW) Tractive effort 180,000 lbf (800 kN) (continuous) 200,000 lbf (890 kN) (starting)[2]
Career Locale United States Current owner Norfolk Southern, QNS&L, Fortescue Metals Group, Canadian National Railway, Union Pacific Railroad

The GE AC44C6M is an AC-traction 4,400-horsepower (3,300 kW) diesel locomotive, rebuilt from GE Transportation Dash 9 locomotives. AC44C6M rebuilds have been done by GE (now Wabtec), American Motive Power, Inc., and Norfolk Southern Railway's Juniata and Roanoke Shops, starting in September 2015. The AC44C6M retains the 16-cylinder 7FDL-16 prime mover used in the core locomotive prior to rebuilding, but replaces the Dash 9's DC traction motors with alternating current GE 5GEB13B7 traction motors. Externally, the rebuilds have received new wide-nosed cabs, a new front hood section, and a new inverter cabinet behind the cab, while retaining the underframe and engine and radiator compartments of the original Dash 9 units.

Rebuilding an old Dash 9 locomotive into an AC44C6M costs only 50-60% that of purchasing a brand new AC locomotive.^[3] Wabtec claims a 17% improvement in fuel efficiency, 30% improvement in reliability, and a 55% improvement in haulage capability.^[4]