GE Dash 9-44CW

GE C44-9W
BNSF C44-9W #5518 at the Port of Long Beach on February 4, 2005.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderGE Transportation Systems
ModelC44-9W
Build date1993–2004
Total produced3,668
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo′Co′
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm), Brazil
TrucksGE HiAd
Wheel diameter42 in (1,067 mm)
Length73 ft 8 in (22.45 m)
Width10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
Height16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
Loco weight425,000 lb (192,800 kilograms)
or 212.5 short tons (189.7 long tons; 192.8 t)
Fuel capacity5,000 US gal (19,000 L; 4,200 imp gal)
Prime moverGE 7FDL16
Engine typefour stroke cycle V16 diesel engine
AspirationTurbocharged
AlternatorGE GMG197
Traction motorsGE 5GE752AH DC
Cylinders16
Transmissiondiesel electric with silicon diode rectifiers,
Performance figures
Maximum speed74 mph (119 km/h)
Power output4,400 hp (3,281 kW)
Tractive effortStarting: 142,000 lbf (64,410 kgf) @25%
Continuous: 105,640 lbf (47,917 kgf) @13 mph (21 km/h)
Career
OperatorsVarious, see table
LocaleNorth America, Brazil, Australia

The GE C44-9W is a 4,400 hp (3,281 kW) diesel-electric 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.

Part of GE's "Dash 9" series of locomotives, the Dash 9-44CW shares its frame, HiAd trucks, 16-cylinder 7FDL engine, and 752AH-31 traction motors with the GE Dash 9-40CW. But while the more common 9-44CW offers 4,400 horsepower (3,300 kW), software in the 9-40CW's engine-governing unit restricts its power output to 4,000 horsepower (3,000 kW).

The design has since proven popular with North American railroads, although some railroads, such as CSX and Canadian Pacific, preferred its AC equivalent, the AC4400CW. 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.

Many North American railroads have ordered the C44-9W. They were originally ordered by Chicago & North Western Railway, Santa Fe, BNSF, CSX, Southern Pacific, Canadian National Railway, BC Rail, and Union Pacific Railroad. Norfolk Southern purchased the very similar Dash 9-40CWs.