GE AC6000CW
Encyclopedia
The AC6000CW is a 6250 hp diesel electric locomotive
that is built by GE Transportation Systems
. They are all used by major railroads in the United States
, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton
Iron Ore in Australia
. This locomotive, along with the EMD SD90MAC
, is the most powerful single-engined locomotive in the world, surpassed in power by only the EMD DDA40X.
and GE Transportation Systems
of Erie, Pennsylvania
in the early to mid 1990s. The goal was 6000 hp.
GE partnered with Deutz-MWM of Germany
in 1994 to design and construct the 7HDL engine for the locomotives. The first locomotive constructed was the "Green Machine" GE 6000, the nickname due to the green paint scheme. The first production models were also built in 1995: CSX Transportation
600-602, and Union Pacific Railroad
7000-7009. After testing was completed by GE, they were released to their respective owners in late 1996.
The locomotives started to suffer from various mechanical problems early on, with the most severe being the engine itself. There were major vibration problems, which were caused by the engine block walls being too thin. This in turn caused problems with the twin turbocharger
s. These problems caused GE to push back full production of the new model until 1998. GE built 106 AC6000CWs for Union Pacific with the older, proven 7FDL engine, rated for 4390 HP. These units were originally supposed to be converted to the 6250 HP 7HDL engine after the problems were worked out with the engine, but this never occurred. GE considers these units as AC6000CW "Convertibles," while UP classifies them as CW44/60ACs or AC4460CWs. The AC6000CW ended production in 2001, although Union Pacific's 75xx series remains in daily use as of 2010, mostly on rock and gravel trains in Texas. Union Pacific designates these units as C60AC.
GE is currently performing electrical work and changing out the original 7HDL engines with a new 6000 HP GEVO-16 engines on several CSXT and BHP units. This is essentially creating an ES60AC, but neither CSXT nor GE reclassifies the locomotives because they retain the original computer systems and intercooling system of the AC6000CW. So far, four units have undergone the change: CSXT 606, 620, 628 and 640. The work is being performed by GE at CSXT's Waycross, Georgia
locomotive facilities. Plans are for all units to be rebuilt eventually. There are no external changes to the locomotive.
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
that is built by GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
. They are all used by major railroads in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
Iron Ore in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. This locomotive, along with the EMD SD90MAC
EMD SD90MAC
The EMD SD90MAC is a C-C diesel-electric hood unit locomotive produced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It is, with the SD80MAC, one of the largest single-engined locomotives produced by that company, surpassed only by the dual-engined DD series...
, is the most powerful single-engined locomotive in the world, surpassed in power by only the EMD DDA40X.
History
The AC6000CW was designed at the height of a horsepower race between the two major locomotive manufacturers, Electro-Motive Diesel of London, OntarioLondon, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
and GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
of Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
in the early to mid 1990s. The goal was 6000 hp.
GE partnered with Deutz-MWM of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1994 to design and construct the 7HDL engine for the locomotives. The first locomotive constructed was the "Green Machine" GE 6000, the nickname due to the green paint scheme. The first production models were also built in 1995: CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
600-602, and Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
7000-7009. After testing was completed by GE, they were released to their respective owners in late 1996.
The locomotives started to suffer from various mechanical problems early on, with the most severe being the engine itself. There were major vibration problems, which were caused by the engine block walls being too thin. This in turn caused problems with the twin turbocharger
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
s. These problems caused GE to push back full production of the new model until 1998. GE built 106 AC6000CWs for Union Pacific with the older, proven 7FDL engine, rated for 4390 HP. These units were originally supposed to be converted to the 6250 HP 7HDL engine after the problems were worked out with the engine, but this never occurred. GE considers these units as AC6000CW "Convertibles," while UP classifies them as CW44/60ACs or AC4460CWs. The AC6000CW ended production in 2001, although Union Pacific's 75xx series remains in daily use as of 2010, mostly on rock and gravel trains in Texas. Union Pacific designates these units as C60AC.
GE is currently performing electrical work and changing out the original 7HDL engines with a new 6000 HP GEVO-16 engines on several CSXT and BHP units. This is essentially creating an ES60AC, but neither CSXT nor GE reclassifies the locomotives because they retain the original computer systems and intercooling system of the AC6000CW. So far, four units have undergone the change: CSXT 606, 620, 628 and 640. The work is being performed by GE at CSXT's Waycross, Georgia
Waycross, Georgia
Waycross is the county seat of, and only incorporated city in, Ware County in the U.S. state of Georgia. The population was 14,725 at the 2010 Census. A small portion of the city extends into Pierce County. According the U.S...
locomotive facilities. Plans are for all units to be rebuilt eventually. There are no external changes to the locomotive.
Operators
- BHP BillitonBHP BillitonBHP Billiton is a global mining, oil and gas company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and with a major management office in London, United Kingdom...
Iron Ore- 8 units, numbered 6070-6077, built between June & July 1999.
- These are the only AC6000CW's that were exported outside of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They are currently the most powerful locomotives in AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.- The 8 units are named after towns and locations in the Pilbara region of AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
where they operate. - 6070 is named "PORT HEDLAND"
- 6071 is named "CHICHESTER"
- 6072 is named "HESTA"
- 6073 is named "FORTESCUE"
- 6074 is named "KALGAN"
- 6075 is named "NEWMAN"
- 6076 is named "MOUNT GOLDSWORTHY"
- 6077 is named "NIMINGARRA"
- The 8 units are named after towns and locations in the Pilbara region of Australia
- CSX TransportationCSX TransportationCSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
:- 3 units, numbered 600-602, were among the first production AC6000CW's built.
- 601 is lettered "The Spirit of Waycross".
- 602 is lettered "The Spirit of Maryland" & is the only AC6000 on CSX to retain its original Hi-Ad trucks.
- 114 units, numbered 603-699 & 5000-5016, were built between October 1998 & April 2000.
- 3 units, numbered 600-602, were among the first production AC6000CW's built.
- Union Pacific:
- 10 units, numbered 7500-7509, were built between November 1995 & December 1996. These units were originally numbered 7000-7009.
- 45 units, numbered 7510-7554, were built between July & December 1998. These are currently being converted to AC4460CW engines and renumbered 69xx
- 7511 suffered an electrical fire and was retired from the roster in June 1999. The damage was covered under warranty and the unit was sent to GE for repairs. GE built another 7511 unit for UP to replace the original in January 2001, renaming the original 7511 to GECX 6002.
- 25 units, numbered 7555-7579, were built in January 2001.
- Union Pacific Convertibles:
- 70 units, numbered 7010-7079, were built between November 1995 & September 1996. These units are currently being renumbered to 7336-7405.
- 36 units, numbered 7300-7335, were built between March & May 1998.
See also
- EMD SD90MACEMD SD90MACThe EMD SD90MAC is a C-C diesel-electric hood unit locomotive produced by General Motors Electro-Motive Division. It is, with the SD80MAC, one of the largest single-engined locomotives produced by that company, surpassed only by the dual-engined DD series...
A similarly powerful locomotive built by EMD.