who makes best CSX c44-9w in Ho scale

[flanker]

Hi All, 

with all the experts out there, could you please help me to find out who makes the best C44-9w in CSX livery? I see some old Kato's around, but are we going to have some new models coming out? like from BLI or MTH , 

MTH recently released  the c44, but the CP livery with out teardrop windows break the deal. 

Thanks


Ravi

[drolsen]

Well... since you asked, none of the plastic models available are accurate for CSX's CW44-8s. These units were "pre-production" test bed models that used Dash 9 internal components in a Dash 8 body, with a larger Dash 9 radiator section. They still retained the Dash 8 style of trucks also. The only other spotting feature is that after the first 3 units, GE switched from 4 to 5 steps in the stepwells. To be frank, it would be more accurate to number the Atlas CW40-8 model in the CSX 9000 series to model one of these units, rather than to use any of the plastic Dash 9 models currently available. I plan to eventually kitbash two of these units by putting a Kato Dash 9 radiator section on the Atlas Dash 8, which several people have done already. That project is a long way off though.

Based on all of this, I would just pick the best-running Dash 9 model (Kato) if that's important to you, or the best detailed (probably Athearn) if you prefer fine details. You can always buy brass if you want a truly accurate model, but that will obviously be expensive, and they may be hard to find these days.

Dave

[valenciajim]

I have a number of these and by far I like the Kato locomotives the best. They are the most reliable runners. I had some problems with a couple of Athearn units several years ago and had to return them to Athearn (who was terrific in dealing with my issues). But over the years, the Katos have become my favorite based on their superior long term performance.

[nw611]

CSX never ordered C44-9Ws. As Dave says, they were C44-8Ws (now derated to 4000 hp) or AC4400CWs. Ciao. RG

[calzephyr]

Apr 29, 2016 0:41:25 GMT -8 flanker said:

Hi All, 

with all the experts out there, could you please help me to find out who makes the best C44-9w in CSX livery? I see some old Kato's around, but are we going to have some new models coming out? like from BLI or MTH , 

MTH recently released  the c44, but the CP livery with out teardrop windows break the deal. 

Thanks


Ravi

The simple answer is they did not order any Dash 9's. Their orders were for the Dash 8-40CW which looks like a Dah 9 in many ways except they used the dash 8 trucks. They also ordered and received three 8-44CW units numbered, 9000-9002, which had the large radiators.

Larry

www.brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/053987/HO-Brass-Model-Train-OMI-6531-1-Overland-CSX-C44-8W-Diesel-No-1996-Run

[drolsen]

Larry, 9000-9002 were the original three units that tested out the Dash 9 internals, but they ordered 50 additional CW44-8s numbered 9003-9052. As I mentioned earlier, the main spotting difference between the two batches was the 4-step stepwells on 9000-9002 (like a standard Dash 8) vs. 5-step stepwells on the next 50 units.

These have always been one of my favorite CSX diesels, I guess because they are unique compared to standard production Dash 9s. I also see them regularly despite there only being 53 in the fleet (compared to hundreds of Dash 8s and CW44ACs).

On a side note, both UP and CR had late Dash 8s with the larger, Dash 9-style radiator wings.

Dave

[sd80mac]

For what it's worth, CSX has labeled several (all?) of these C40-9Ws.

[drolsen]

Yeah, they were all derated maybe 7 or 8 years ago (?). Sorry, I thought someone had mentioned that.

Dave

[calzephyr]

Apr 29, 2016 16:32:25 GMT -8 drolsen said:

Larry, 9000-9002 were the original three units that tested out the Dash 9 internals, but they ordered 50 additional CW44-8s numbered 9003-9052. As I mentioned earlier, the main spotting difference between the two batches was the 4-step stepwells on 9000-9002 (like a standard Dash 8) vs. 5-step stepwells on the next 50 units.

These have always been one of my favorite CSX diesels, I guess because they are unique compared to standard production Dash 9s. I also see them regularly despite there only being 53 in the fleet (compared to hundreds of Dash 8s and CW44ACs).

On a side note, both UP and CR had late Dash 8s with the larger, Dash 9-style radiator wings.

Dave

Thanks Dave

My book on the Dash 8 and 9 series was printed when they were new and the last ones you listed were not in it.
As you stated, they were much like the first three with a different steps but were still Dash 8 trucks. That is odd they would stay with that type of trucks on the new units. I wonder if the frame was the same length as the Dash 8 series or longer like the Dash 9 series.

Anyone know???

Larry

[drolsen]

Larry, 9003-9052 are the same as the first three - Dash-8 bodies / trucks with larger Dash 9-style radiators, but with the addition of the 5-step stepwells.

Dave