{"product_id":"scaletrains-39896-ho-scale-ge-ac44c6m-norfolk-southern-horsehead-ns-4071-dc","title":"ScaleTrains 39896 HO Scale GE AC44C6M Norfolk Southern “Horsehead” NS 4071 - DC","description":"\u003ch1\u003eScaleTrains 39896 HO Scale GE AC44C6M Norfolk Southern “Horsehead\/Signwave” NS 4071 - DC\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rivet Counter™ series GE AC44C6M is the definitive HO Scale model of Norfolk Southern’s rebuilt six-axle alternating current traction locomotive. This model combines smooth operating performance with unparalleled railroad, road number, and era specific™ details along with industry-leading LED lighting features.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNorfolk Southern initiated the AC44C6M rebuilding program for the GE DASH 9 series in 2015. This DC to AC transition improved tractive effort and overall train handling by enhancing or replacing trucks, carbody repairs, and additional ballast. The external changes involved adding AC inverter control cabinets and replacing the original cabs. By 2025, NS expects to have 950 rebuilt units in service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFEATURES:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-new\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEra: 2017 to Present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeries 4043 to 4074, rebuilt 9\/17\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoad numbers 4071; ex-NS 8824\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHorsehead scheme with DC to AC sinewave logo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebuilt by NS Juniata Shops in Altoona, PA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFully-assembled\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMultiple road numbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating LED-illuminated ground lights on both sides of locomotive*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating LED-illuminated front and rear deck-mounted alternating ditch lights**\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating LED-illuminated front, rear, and side walkway lights*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinted cab-mounted number boards with separately controlled LED-illumination*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDirectional LED-illuminated headlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter) indicator lights on cab sides (non-operating)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTall snowplow with MU hose openings and two (2) grab irons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSemi-scale GE type coupler buffer equipped with durable metal semi-scale Type E knuckle couplers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInside loop uncoupling levers with down brackets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4-step rear stepwells with see-through steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalkway with front and rear anticlimbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGE “nub” pattern walkway tread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWide profile end handrails\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFront high (cab) mounted headlight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNose door without window; security padlock with hasp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-piece nose top grab irons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBattery cabinet access door with latch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGE safety cab with four (4) side windows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight side cab under floor access doors: dual large louver panels per door\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft side cab under floor access doors: bolted panel forward of the HVAC unit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCab interior with detailed back wall and front dash, high-back seats, conductor’s workstation, and engineer’s AAR-style control stand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn-cab grade crossing camera\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTinted cab side windows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTall mirror mounted fore and aft of sliding cab side windows on left side, Tall mirror mounted fore of sliding cab side windows on right side; additional small mirror on right side\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJEM Communications PTC antenna farm with Sinclair antennas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInverter Cabinet with Bolted and hinged access door, top two X panels same size, three lower X panels with 4 - 6 - 4 Bolt Pattern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContinuous reinforcement rib under dynamic brake intake grilles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-capacity dynamic brake exhaust (3-port)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRearward right-side air intake grille\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft side auxiliary cab: 3 short doors with latches on the #2 door and wide auxiliary cab filter box door\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight side auxiliary cab: four (4) doors with latches on #1 and #4 doors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual triangular lifting bails on top of clean air cab joint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly curved engine cab profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh mounted lift rings on engine cab power assembly doors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree left side door latches and two right door latches on exhaust cab doors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLost-wax brass cast Nathan AirChime K5LAR24 horn mounted on engine cab\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly flanged exhaust stack housing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Bathtub” exhaust silencer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e22 individually-applied etched metal see-through radiator intake and exhaust grilles on sides and top of radiator compartment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight side late radiator door grilles in alternating heights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight side radiator wing access door with two “T” handles and bolt detail around the door\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eElectronic Handbrake with panel in front of the brake wheel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlat stamped\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft rear hood door grille arrangement: tall, short, short grilles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh-mounted rear sand fill\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEarly “box” lifting lugs on ends of radiator wings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeft side long rail all stanchions early type\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRight side long rail all stanchions early type\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccurately profiled frame with separately-applied plumbing and traction motor cabling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGE Hi-Ad trucks with reinforcement plate over center axle on right front and left rear side frames and separately applied brake cylinders, single bracket air plumbing, and rotating bearing caps \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRust-color painted wheelsets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo speed recorder\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual Graham-White (Salem) 824-100 centrifugal air filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWabtec 994-500 series air dryer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5,000-gallon fuel tank with vertical wide spaced weld seams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFuel tank detail arrangement (front to back) right side – Fuel filler, EFCO, Digital Fuel Gauge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFuel tank mounted steel bell\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeparate air tanks with upper mounting brackets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCurved handbrake chain bracket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpare coupler knuckle holders on rear pilot face\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFactory-applied detail parts: wire grab irons, spare knuckles, trainline hoses with silver gladhands, 3-hose MU clusters with silver gladhands, uncoupling levers, windshield wipers, mirrors, sunshades, and more\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotor with 5-pole, skew-wound armature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual flywheels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-wheel drive\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-wheel electrical pick-up\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrinting and lettering legible under magnification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperates on Code 70, 83, and 100 rail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePackaging safely stores model\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum Radius: 18”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecommended Radius: 22”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDCC \u0026amp; sound ready locomotives also feature:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperate on DC layouts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDCC ready with 21-pin connector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003e* Lighting features operate when using an ESU decoder with appropriate programming while operating using DCC\u003cbr\u003e** In DC operation, both front ditch lights illuminate; rear ditch lights (if equipped) do not illuminate\u003cbr\u003e*** Compatible with appropriately programmed ESU decoders while operating using DCC\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the early 2000s, Norfolk Southern, equipped with one of the largest fleets of GE DASH 9 series locomotives, found itself at a crossroads. With escalating traffic levels demanding more horsepower for efficient train movement, a critical decision loomed. The aging DASH 9s forming the backbone of their fleet were due for overhauls, prompting the need for a strategy to keep the traffic flowing seamlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo modernize its fleet, Norfolk Southern boldly initiated a rebuilding program for its GE DASH 9s. This comprehensive process involved upgrading the electrical systems and traction motors of the aging DC (Direct Current) drives DASH 9s to AC (Alternating Current) traction, effectively transforming them into AC4400s. While AC technology had already proven effective on other railroads, Norfolk Southern remained conservative in the 90s, opting for fleets of DC-drive EMD SD70s, GE C40-9s, and C40-9Ws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the 90s transitioned into the 2000s, Norfolk Southern couldn't overlook the compelling advantages of AC, which offered significant improvements in unit tractive effort and overall train handling compared to DC units. The rebuild process also included essential enhancements such as new trucks, repairs to the carbody, and additional ballast for increased tractive effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExternally, the most noticeable change was the addition of an AC inverter control cabinet to the left side walkway behind the operator’s cab. In the case of units rebuilt from standard-cab C40-9 core units, the original operator’s cab, low nose, and under-cab cabinets were replaced with a new GE Safety Cab, similar to those used on current GEVO production. While some fans lamented the loss of the distinctive C40-9 \"Top Hats,\" crews embraced the new cabs for their superior comfort and crashworthiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese revitalized units, designated as AC44C6M by Norfolk Southern, made their debut in August 2015 with NS 4000 and 4001, rebuilt by contractor American Motive Power, Inc., utilizing components from GE. Sporting a unique gray scheme with a blue cab and \"mane,\" these units stood out against the typical black Thoroughbreds in the NS fleet. Rebuilt from NS C40-9s 8799 and 8879, some of the oldest GEs in the fleet gained a new lease on life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe success of these initial rebuilds prompted Norfolk Southern to fully embrace the AC44C6M, with 16 additional units rebuilt from C40-9 cores in 2016. Work was conducted both in-house at Roanoke and Juniata shops and by GE at their facilities in Erie, Pennsylvania, and Ft. Worth, Texas. The momentum continued, with additional units slated for rebuilding each year. At present, the plan is for Wabtec to rebuild the entire NS GE DASH 9 fleet, ushering in the latest technology and solidifying its position as the \"Thoroughbred\" of transportation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ScaleTrains","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48964341792981,"sku":"SXT39896","price":214.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0520\/1972\/4454\/files\/scaletrains-39896-ho-scale-ge-ac44c6m-norfolk-southern-horsehead-ns-4071-dc-2.jpg?v=1723301189","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterosehobbies.com\/products\/scaletrains-39896-ho-scale-ge-ac44c6m-norfolk-southern-horsehead-ns-4071-dc","provider":"White Rose Hobbies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}