The headliner of GE’s 1993 freight locomotive line was the 6 motor, 4400hp C44-9W “Dash 9.” Slightly longer than its predecessors at 73 feet, 2 inches, the C44-9W used a new HiAd, bolsterless low-weight truck that was designed for better grip on the rails no matter the weather. A split cooling system lowered engine temperatures and fuel consumption as well, granting these locomotives a longer operation life and lower overhead costs.
The Kato C44-9W Has been retooled from its original N scale incarnation; featuring separately molded handrails, new walkways with crisper detailing, new undercarriage and fuel tank detailing, high mounted ditch lights and a prototypically more accurate anti-climber, molded MU hoses, illuminated numberboards, prototypical late type Hi-Ad trucks, and a new Kato straight shank knuckle coupler for a more prototypical appearance. The Chicago & North Western railroad, long since incorporated into the Union Pacific, lives on to this day in the form of C44-9W #8646 and #8701, the last surviving locomotives still to bear their original Chicago & North Western colors. These two locomotives are a favorite of C&NW followers, and Kato is proud to announce their production in both N and HO Scales in a limited run to pay homage to these long-lasting locomotives.
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