To start with will be the C30-7. As with the 4 axle units, the outside identifying features, are the step near the end of the long hood, just after prime mover section, and internally, is the upgrade to the electronic wheel slip, and other features. Here is a C30-7.
Next in the line, is the C36-7. The first C36-7's, were identical to the C30's. Then CR had a order for them, that looked the same, except there were more air intake grills, under the radiator wings. The rest are identified, by the -8 like appearance of the square box dynamic brakes protruding up on the top of the long hood, just behind the cab. Here is a CR C36-7, and then a C36-7.
Donald Albertson
Next continuing the series, is the C39-8. Conrail, and NS were the only perchersers of these units. They are identified, as they start to exibit the features we all have come to know in the -8 line. The short nose has a boxy appearance, the radiator wing, is more square, the rounded shape it had. Also on these units only, one way of telling that it is a C39, and not a C40, is that these units had round roof cabs (there were about 20 units built at the end of the NS order, that had the square cab roofs), and the radiator section under the "wing" is flat aginst the side of the long hood. Here is a C39-8.
Next in line, was the C30-7A built only for CR. You could tell the difference in these from a C30-7, by the fact that they only had six doors where the prime mover is, compared to eight. Here is a C30-7A.
Harry Frye
Next up to replace the C30-7A, is the C32-8. Once again CR was the only buyer, and after a few years, they were placed in a exclusive pool for ballast trains. They were painted gray and had Ballast Express on the side. You could ocasionally find them in any type of service, should the need arise. They look exactly like a C39-8, but like a C30-7A, they only have six doors where the prime mover is, as compared to eight. Here is a C32-8.
Collection of Darryl Hill
The next greatest thing from GE, was the C40-8. Its most distinguishing features, are the top of the long hood, is now at the same high, from the cab, back to behind the central air intake. Also the radiators below, the "wings" are now angled out, almost in the style of the old SD45's. Also all the air intakes, below the radiator, have a standard arrangement. This unit also evolved into the C40-8W, with the wide body cab, and also a C41-8W, for the UP. Also "Up North" on the other side of the boarder, the CN and BC Rail, had full width bodied C40-8's. There are no other differences in the C40-8W, and C41's, that are seen from the outside, othere than the wide body. Here are a C40-8, C40-8W, C40-8M and a C41-8W.
About this time, GE supplied kits to the N de M, in Mexico to rebuild C30-7, and build from scratch a C30-S7, a Super Seven. Mexico is the only ones to have these units. Here is a C30-S7.
Collection of Aleks
Next on the list starts a long line of sub classes of units. The C44-9's. The first ones were built for the CSX, and they used the same body as the C40-8W, with a 4400 HP prime mover. First the C44-9W's can be told apart by the fact that they have the new roller blade truck, with the little side skirts down at the bottom. Also by the fact the air intakes on the rear of the long hood, below the radiator, have grown longer, and have a staggered appearance, because some are shorter for the door latches. You will also notice that they have two radiator banks now, as see by the fact that they are seperated. Also a distinguishing feature to tell the difference between a DC, and a AC is that on the conductors side, there is a large box along the long hood, for the AC inverters. The box on the regular -9's is smaller and includes the air conditioner. The air conditioners, on the AC, is identified by the vents on the side of the cab. Also CN had -9's with a Canadian built four window cab. Also you will see the AC's were starting to be delivered with GE's version of a steerable truck. Here is a CSX C44-9W, then a regular C44-9W, a C44-9WL, and then a CW44-9AC with and without steerable trucks.
Collection of Ronald Estes
Collection of Scott B.
About this time, NS decided that it did not want any locomotives with over 4000 HP. So this is where the C40-9, C40-9W came in. NS has the only versions of these units, and aside from that the best way to tell a C40-9, is it looks like a C44-9, only with a regular nose, not a wide cab. There is no difference on the outside between a C44-9W, and a C40-9W. Here is a C40-9, and a C40-9W.
Collection of Mike Bates
Collection of Scott B.
Then there was the AC6000CW. There were two versions built, but both look the same. They are distinguished by the lage overhanging radiator section, on the rear of the unit. Also by the extra little extension that is narrower in width, in the front of the "winged" radiator section. The other version of witch the UP had was the AC6044CW, a 6000, with a 4400 HP prime mover in it. It was to be pulled out, and replaced with a 6000 HP prime mover later. Here is a AC6000CW.
And finally for now the Evolution Series. These include the ES40DC, ES44DC, and ES44AC. All are built in the same body, there are no differences in them. They are told apart by the verry wide radiator "wing" in the back, it is much thicker than ever before. It has also lost the overhang of the 6000. There is also a little bulge, at the front of the radiator wing. Here is a ES40DC, ES44DC, and a ES44AC.
