Faced with increasing traffic levels but an aging fleet of General Electric DASH 9s due for overhauls, Norfolk Southern boldly embarked on a program to rebuild its GE DASH 9 fleet from the ground up to modern standards. The process involved upgrading the electrical systems from Direct Current (DC) drives to AC (Alternating Current) propulsion, effectively converting a DASH9-40C or DASH9-44CW to a AC4400CW with greatly increased pulling power. In addition to a brand new hood and inverter cabinet ahead of the engine compartment, the original operator’s cab was also replaced by an all-new wide-nosed GE Safety cab as well. Classified as AC44C6Ms, the first units were released in August 2015 in a series of special paint schemes. Today, over 600 units have been rebuilt, with at least 350 more by the end of this year.
Now in stock from ScaleTrains are HO scale Norfolk Southern GE AC44C6Ms as part of its premium Rivet Counter line. These Rivet Counter Models address the myriad of externally visible production features on the units being produced with several distinct body shells and unit-specific details. Liveries for this inaugural run include Norfolk Southern “Sonic Bonnet”, Horsehead/Sine Wave, Black Mane/Blue Stripe, Black Mane/Red Stripe, Horsehead/Primer Cab, and Horsehead. DC/DCC-ready models retail for $225 while DC+DCC+Sound equipped locomotives equipped with ESU Loksound 5 decoders are $325 each. HO models available now while supplies last from authorized dealers or direct.
As if to answer the common refrain “But what about for N scale??”, ScaleTrains has also announced N scale versions of the GE AC44C6M for its highly detailed Rivet Counter series. The N scale AC44C6Ms are due to arrive in January 2026.
N scalers need not fret as ScaleTrains announced that it will be producing N scale General Electric AC44C6M for Norfolk Southern.
Echoing its HO scale counterparts, the N scale liveries will include Norfolk Southern “Sonic Bonnet”, Black Mane/Blue Stripe, Black Mane/Red Stripe, Horsehead/Sine Wave, Horsehead/Primer Cab and Horsehead. DC/DCC-ready N scale models will retail for $159.99 while DC+DCC+Sound equipped locomotives equipped with ESU Loksound 5 decoders will be $264.99. The N scale AC44C6Ms are scheduled to arrive in January 2026. HO versions available now per above.
Liveries for both scales also include replicas of AC44C6Ms delivered to the Norfolk Southern with operator cab and forward section of the long hood still in primer.
