GE AC6000CW

Infobox Locomotive Auto
name=GE AC6000CW
powertype=Diesel-electric
gauge=

---

caption=CSX 627 at Pinner's Point in Portsmouth, Virginia. Note the enlarged radiator section overhanging the rear of the unit.
builder=GE
buildmodel=AC6000CW
length=76 ft
fuelc

cylindercount=16
poweroutput=6,250 hp
aarwheels=C-C
wheeldiameter=42 in.
length=76 ft. 0 in.
width=10 ft. 3 in.
height=16 ft. 0 in.
weight=423,000 lbs. max
primemover=GE 7HDL16
enginetype=45° V16, four stroke cycle
aspiration=Twin turbocharger, model 7S1408D
displacement=175 L (10,688 CID)
alternator=GE GMG201
tractionmotors=Six GE GEB13
topspeed=75 MPH (worn wheels)
tractiveeffort=166,000 lbf. @ 11.6 MPH
poweroutput=6,250 HP
trainbrakes=WABCO EPIC 3102 Electro-Pneumatic, others with WABCO 26L pneumatic

The AC6000CW is a 6,000 horsepower diesel electric locomotive that was built by GE Transportation Systems. They are used by major railroads in the United States, except for 8 units exported to BHP Billiton Iron Ore in Australia.

History

The AC6000CW was designed at the height of a horsepower race between the 2 major locomotive manufacturers, Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. of London, Ontario & GE Transportation Systems of Erie, Pennsylvania in the early to mid 1990's. The goal was 6,000 Horsepower.

GE partnered with Deutz-MWM of Germany in 1994 to design and construct the engines 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, CSXT 600-602, & UP 7000-7009. After testing was completed on the units by GE, they were released to their respective owners in late 1996.

The units started to suffer from various mechanical problems early on, with the most severe being the engine itself. There were major vibration problems, which was caused by the engine block walls being too thin. This in turn caused problems with the pair of turbochargers on the engine. These problems caused GE to push back full production of the new unit until 1998. GE built 106 AC6000CW's for Union Pacific with the older, proven 7FDL Engine, rated for 4,390 HP. These units were originally supposed to have the 6,000 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 CW44/60AC's or AC4460CW's. The AC6000CW ended production in 2001, although Union Pacific's 75xx series remains in daily use as of 2008, 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 current 7HDL engines with a new 16-Cylinder, 6,000 HP engine on several CSXT units. This is essentially creating an ES60AC, but neither CSXT nor GE reclassifies the locomotives. So far, 4 units have undergone the change: CSXT 606, 620, 628 and 640. The work is being performed by GE at CSXT's Waycross, GA locomotive facilities. It is unknown exactly how many units are going to be rebuilt this way. There are no external changes to the locomotive, though they don't "roar" like their as-built sisters.

Operators

* BHP Billiton 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 States. They are currently the most powerful locomotives in Australia.
*** The 8 units are named after towns and locations in the Pilbara region of Australia 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"

* CSX Transportation:
** 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".
** 114 units, numbered 603-699 & 5000-5016, were built between October 1998 & April of 2000.

* Union Pacific:
** 10 units, numbered 7500-7509, were built between November 1995 & December of 1996. These units were originally numbered 7000-7009.
** 45 units, numbered 7510-7554, were built between July & December 1998.
*** 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 of 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 of 1996. These units are currently being renumbered to 7336-7405.
** 36 units, numbered 7300-7335, were built between March & May 1998.

ee also

*EMD SD90MAC A similarly powerful locomotive built by EMD which entered production prior to the AC6000CW, but which was a failure in the marketplace, partly due to similar engine problems. The 265H power plant used in these locomotives was mechanically unreliable and EMD chose not to upgrade it to meet current EPA emissions standards. Some units were sold with a 4,300 HP engine with the option to upgrade later. The SD90MAC has not been developed further and can no longer be sold in the United States. Current EMD models, such as the SD70ACe and SD70M-2, are powered by the same 710 series two-stroke V16 used since the introduction of the 60-series in the mid-1980s.