General Electric’s AC4400CW marked the company’s first entry into the new generation of diesel-electric road locomotives utilizing traction motors powered by Alternating Current (AC) instead of DC (direct current) used previously.  Made possible by advances in powerful microprocessors that finally enabled precise delivery of electrical current,  AC traction provided several major advantages, including lower maintenance and the key ability to take on extremely high amounts of current for extended periods of time to deliver enormous amounts of sustained traction at low speeds.  The adoption of AC traction was another “great leap forward” in the evolution of heavy-haul diesel-electric locomotives.  From 1994 to 2004, over 2,800 AC4400CWs were produced, marking yet another triumph for General Electric over its once formidable competitor, Electro-Motive.

Now available from Athearn Trains is an all-new rendition of its GE AC4400CW for HO scale.  Completely redesigned with all-new tooling from the wheels up, this latest series of AC4400CWs is part of Athearn’s premium Genesis 2.0 product line. Each Genesis 2.0 AC4400CW features road-specific and unit-specific details and decoration targeted to represent specific eras. Details include see-through etched metal step treads, a wide variety of rooftop details including PTC arrays where appropriate, multiple different body shells and cabs, dynamic brake variations, several styles of trucks including steerable trucks and Hi-Ads of different production phases, and much more.  Road names for this inaugural release include Chicago & North Western (Lightning), CSX (YN2), CIT Group (blue), Kansas City Southern (Belle), Southern Pacific (as-delivered), and Union Pacific (“Primed for Grime” patched/faded SP).

Athearn’s Genesis 2.0 rendition of UP 6289 recreates former Southern Pacific AC4400CW #243 in its postmerger patched and sun-bleached appearance complete with rooftop PTC array, yellow sill stripe and a UP herald on the nose. These “Primed For Grime” locomotives can serve as an excellent base for additional weathering if desired.

DCC and sound equipped Genesis 2.0 AC4400CWs with Soundtraxx Tsunami2 decoders and dual cube-type speakers are $364.99 each, while DC+DCC-ready models are $264.99 each with a DCC-ready 21PNEM connector.  “Primed for Grime” locos are $10 extra per unit. Available now from your favorite authorized dealers or direct while supplies last.

Watch for an upcoming detailed product review in the pages of Railroad Model Craftsman Magazine soon!

Athearn • 2904 Research Road • Champaign, Illinois 61822 • www.athearn.com