GE Dash 8-44CW

The GE C44-8W , sometimes referred to as 8-44CW, is a DC-traction, 4,400 hp (3,280 kW) six-axle diesel-electric locomotive built by GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania from 1993 to 1994 (units were retired and scrapped or rebuilt). It is part of the GE Dash 8 Series of freight locomotives, and its wheel arrangement is of a C-C type. This locomotive was specially ordered by CSX Transportation.

GE Dash 8-44CW
CSXT 9043, A GE C44-8W leads a train in Dolton, Illinois in 2009.
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder GE Transportation Systems Model Dash 8-44CW Build date 1993 - 1994 Total produced 53
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Trucks GE Adirondack C-C Wheel diameter 42 in (1.067 m) Minimum curve 19° Wheelbase 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m) Pivot centres 66 ft 2in (20.17m) Length 73 ft 2 in (22.30 m) Width 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) Height 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m) Axle load 66,833 lbs (30,300 kg) Adhesive weight 100% Service weight 412,000 lbs Loco weight 412,000 lb (187,000 kg) or 206 short tons (184 long tons; 187 t) Fuel type Diesel fuel Fuel capacity 4,600 US gal (17,000 L; 3,800 imp gal) Lubricant cap. 410 US Gal (1,600 L, 340 imp gal) Coolant cap. 400 US gal (1,500 L, 330 imp gal) Sandbox cap. 40 cu ft (1,100 L) Prime mover GE 7FDL-16 RPM: ​  • RPM idle 450  • Maximum RPM 1,050 Engine type 45° degree, four stroke cycle Aspiration Turbocharged Displacement 175.2 L (10,690 cu in) Alternator GE GY27 Generator GE GMG197 Traction motors DC GE 752AH (x6) Cylinders V16 Cylinder size 9 in (230mm) x 10.5 in (270 mm) Piston stroke 10.5 inches (266.7 mm) Transmission diesel electric with silicon diode rectifiers, Gear ratio 83:20 MU working Yes Train brakes Westinghouse 26L air brakes, combined with electronically-controlled dynamic brakes
Performance figures Maximum speed 73 mph (120 km/h) Power output 4,400 hp (3,280 kW) Tractive effort Continuous: 105,640 lbf (469.9 kN), Starting: 142,000 lbf (631.6 kN) Factor of adh. 4.0
Career Operators See table Number in class 53 Nicknames Dash 8 Axle load class Heavy axle load (HAL) Locale North America Delivered 1993 First run 1993 Last run Mid-2000s Retired Mid-2000s Withdrawn January 2023 Scrapped 2023 Disposition All units have been either rebuilt into C44-9W, C40-9W or have been retired and scrapped.

This locomotive model is often referred to as a Dash 8-44CW or simply "Dash 8". ^{[citation needed]} "Dash 8" in general refers to the electrical control series, "Dash" being a carryover from the older syntax of C44-8W. The "44" refers to the highest horsepower of the Dash-8 series, being rated at 4,400 hp (or 3,280 kW) of the unit, although some units may be re-rated to 4,000 hp (3,000 kW) and designated as C40-9W. The locomotive shares it's frame, trucks, GE 752AH Traction motors, body (only three locomotives have it, rest are extended), and GE 7FDL-16 prime mover with the C40-8W, but has 4,400 hp. ^{[citation needed]}

The "W" suffix in the 8-44CW indicates that the locomotive has the then-optional Wide-nose cab, built for more people to ride in comfortably and for enhanced safety.

This locomotive is a variant of the C40-8W. It was the most powerful Dash 8 at the time it was released. The C44-8W was succeeded by the C44-9W in 1994. Traction motors (powered by the generator) are DC (Direct Current).

Specifications

The C44-8W or Dash 8-44CW is a variant of the Dash-8 40CW, only by its engine being uprated to 4,400 hp (3,280 kW). Only one railroad has ever used this locomotive, which was CSXT. The C44-8W has six GE 752AH DC traction motors, shared its trucks, frame (only three locomotives), and body (also only three locomotives). It contains its innards, but has an extended body & frame (50 units). The locomotive is powered by DC traction motors; it was replaced by the C44-9W in 1994.

CSXT 9031 leads Autorack train.

Modifications

This locomotive is distinguishable from the C40-8W by it having D9-44CW internals and software housed in a Dash 8 carbody. They were numbered CSX 9000-9052. The first three were originally supposed to be the last order of Dash 8s for CSXT. This was the preproduction version of the Dash 9 series containing its innards but having an extended Dash 8 carbody (with the exception of the first three locomotives). CSXT 9000 - 9002 had the same body as the 8-40CW, the rest which are CSXT 9003 - 9052 had an extended body. All of these locomotives have been derated to 4,000 hp (2,980 kW) horsepower and are now designated as C40-9W or kept its 4,400 hp rating but rebuilt and designated as C44-9W due to it having upgraded split-cooling system, dynamic brake grid, electronics, control systems, and updated traction motors.^[1]

History

The first Dash 8-44CW, 9000, was built for the CSX railroad in 1993. In total, GE built just 53 Dash 8-44CWs. The Dash 8-44CW was succeeded by the Dash 9-44CW in 1994. All of the C44-8W's were owned by CSX. As of October of 2025, all C44-8W's have been retired, rebuilt into C40-9W or C44-9W's, or have been cut up for scrap. Since the mid-2000s, all C44-8W's have been put out of service since then. No C44-8W's were preserved. Since 2023, CSXT had begun the process of scrapping all remaining C44-8W's.

Orders

In 1993, CSX Transportation ordered 53 General Electric Dash 8-44CW's; from General Electric ( a subsidiary of Wabtec). The first batch was delivered in the same year (1993). They were numbered CSXT 9000 through 9002, and was painted in the YN2 (Bright Future) scheme. The second batch was also delivered in 1993 through 1994, and was built on Dash-9 bodies and frames. They were numbered CSXT 9003 through 9052. They were also painted in the YN2 scheme, creating an entire fleet of YN2-Painted C44-8W's. The first batch had only 3 units; the rest (second batch) had 50 units, of which, when combined together, made 53 units.

Technical

The Dash 8-44CW is powered by a 4,400 hp (3,280 kW) V16, 7FDL diesel engine driving a GE GMG197 main generator. The power generated by the main generator drives six GE 752AH Direct Current traction motors, each with a gear ratio of 83:20 and connected to 42-inch (1,067 mm) wheels which allows the Dash 8-44CW to have a maximum speed of 73 mph (120 km/h). ^{[citation needed]}

Depending on customer options, the C44-8W carries approximately 4,600 US gal (17,000 L; 3,800 imp gal) of fuel, 410 US Gal (1,600 L, 340 imp gal) of lubricant, 400 US gal (1,500 L, 330 imp gal) of coolant, and 40 cu ft (1,100 L) of sand. The Dash 8-44CW has a maximum tractive effort of 105,640 lbf (469.9 kN) at 11 mph (18 km/h) with the 83:20 gearing. Overall dimensions for the Dash 8-44CW are 73 ft 2 in (22.30 m) in length, 16 ft 0 in (4.88 m) in height and 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) in width.

Nicknames

In keeping in GE tradition of giving nicknames to its locomotive series beginning with the GE Dash 7 series of the 1970s, the C44-8W was dubbed the GE Dash-8 upon its debut. The design has since been proven popular with North America railroads.

Designation: C refers to that is has six axles, 44 refers to the horsepower (4,400 hp or 3,280 kW), -8 refers to the decade it was produced (In the case, which is 1993), and W (refers to that the locomotive has a wide-nose cab). ^{[citation needed]}

Current owners

Railroad	Quantity	Notes
CSX	53	"YN2 paint" CSXT 9000 - 9002 were built on C40-8W bodies & frames; the rest which are CSXT 9003 - 9052 were built on Dash-9 bodies & frames. All are considered to be pre-production Dash-9 units. All units are no longer in service. All were rebuilt into C40-9W or C44-9W or have been retired and scrapped.

Other

Since there wasn't a four axle (B-B) version built, the C (indicating that it has six axles) in the C44-8W is often omitted.

This locomotive is sometimes referred to as "8-44CW".

See also

• List of GE locomotives