The GE; General Electric; AC6000CW is an AC-traction, 6,000 hp six-axle diesel locomotive built during the late 1990's to the early 2000's in America.
History[]
After the success of the AC4400CW, GE decided to expand their success of AC-traction diesel locomotives by developing an even greater advantage by having a single-engined type of diesel locomotive be capable of providing high amounts of horsepower (from up to 5,500 hp or more), in turn reducing the need for multiple units on a single train. Hence, the development of the AC6000CW during 1997 (with the prototype developed the previous year): a revolutionary type of single-engined, or standard diesel locomotive capable of generating such high amounts horsepower and be AC-traction powered with having such motors provided to do so (besides the SD90MAC); as well as having more advanced microprocessor controls. The HDL prime mover was co-designed by Duetz of Germany and GE.
Though capable of having such features, the AC6000CW (like its rival) wasn't fully developed. The 6,000 hp 7HDL-16 wasn't completed in-time during the unit's introduction, and customers (with Union Pacific being the first) were purchasing such units with 4,400 hp as opposed to having their exclusive 6,000 hp engine. Hence, the 6,000 hp engine was offered; but unavailable during the early years, and was simply replaced with a standard 7FDL-16 type of 4,400 hp engine. Thus, the early AC6000CW units being dubbed "convertibles": a type or model of diesel locomotive capable of being fitted with different parts or engines able to easily be modified. No convertibles delivered with an 7FDL-16 prime mover were ever upgraded.
They were originally built to compete with the EMD SD90MAC shortly after its introduction in 1995.
Union Pacific and CSX were the only US railroads to purchase the AC6000CW. Southern Pacific had 3 AC6000CW's on order at the time of its takeover by Union Pacific. UP changed the 3 unit order to UP class C4460AC convertibles similar to those which were already on order. Outside of the US, BHP Billiton used these locomotives for hauling iron ore. They some have been repowered with GEVO16 prime movers.
All of CSX's full production model AC6000CW's have been repowered with GEVO-16 engines. Pre-production units #600-602 received 4400 hp 7FDL-16 engines, essentially turning the units into AC4460CW "convertibles" similar to those ordered by Union Pacific.
As of 2014 the 6000 hp CSX AC6000CW's have been derated to 4600 hp and reclassed as ES46AC and ES46AH by the railroad, however, they retain the GEVO-16 engines and look identical to original AC6000CWs.
During 2014 the 7 remaining BHP Billiton AC6000CW's were retired and sold to a scrap dealer. All had been cut up by the end of the year. An eighth unit was previously retired and scrapped after suffering major accident damage.
In 2018, CSX sold all their AC6000CWs except 600-602 to Progress Rail.
In 2019, the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, traditionally known for operating an entire fleet of ALCo engines, picked up eight AC6000CWs from Progress Rail. Two of the units were purchased for parts, while the remaining six will be delivered in full WNYP dress and used in regular service.
Identification[]
The main way of distinguishing them from other GE units, is by the distinct extended radiator fin, which also has a hump; aside from one side of the frame being slightly elevated where the air tanks are located (with the airtanks being different as well.)
An upgradable UP AC6000CW, which is referred to as an "AC4460CW" by the railroad.
Trivia[]
- The AC6000CW is also known simply as the "CW60AC" by CSX, or the "C60AC" by Union Pacific
- They were also built to compete with the less-successful EMD SD90MAC. GE succeeded, yet 80% of GE AC6000CWs have been converted and downgraded since 2004.
- The most notable difference between the AC6000CW and AC4400CW is that they have a much larger radiator section for successful cooling of the larger engine.
- To celebrate having some of the first AC-powered, 6,000 hp diesel locomotives, CSX painted their AC6000CWs with commemorative yellow lettering on their YN2 scheme, as well as having "Diversity In Motion" and "Spirit Of" units.
- Southern Pacific had three units on order at the time of the Union Pacific takeover. They were to be numbered as SP #600-602.
- CSX AC6000CWs 600-602 were derated to 4400 horse power by removing their 6000 horse power 7HDL-16 prime movers with 4400 horse power 7FDL-16 prime movers and were reclassified as CW44AC by the railroad.
- The AC6000CW (King Gold-hill) also holds the record for hauling one of the longest trains in the world for BHP, as stated in the Guinness Book of World Records.
- In late 2016, CSX sent a handful of CW46s to General Electric in Erie as trial units for a rebuild program. The units would have received the same electronic and mechanical upgrades as Union Pacific's C44ACM convertibles; however, the program was cancelled upon E. Hunter Harrison's arrival at the railroad.
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