HO G2 Dash 9-44CW, FMG #003

HO G2 Dash 9-44CW, FMG #003 Overview

Part of a late-production MRL order, these SD70ACes also feature 6-step walkways like the BNSF units. The MRL units have standard GPS dome antennas on the cab roof.

The railway's 240-wagon iron ore trains are amongst the heaviest trains in the world. The 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge) heavy haul railway is used by 35,200-metric ton (34,644-long-ton; 38,801-short-ton) trains up to 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) long carrying 29,000 metric tons (28,542 long tons; 31,967 short tons) of ore at 40-tonne (39-long-ton; 44-short-ton) axleload (the weight of the two 4,000-horsepower (3.0 MW) engines is extra). The railway is available to other miners for a fee.

FMG rosters a fleet of high horsepower 6-axle locomotives, including 15 Dash 9-44CWs.

“Fortescue Metals Group”, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortescue_Metals_Group. Accessed 2-5-21

Built by GE from 1993 until 2004, the Dash 9-44CW and its variants were the definitive North American mainline freight locomotives of their time, with an impressive 3668 total units built. Constructed for US railroads from coast to coast, the units were also ordered by Canadian roads, and significant export orders went to Australia and Brazil.

The new Athearn Genesis 2.0 Dash 9-44CW is equally as impressive as its prototype, with a host of railroad specific details. From Canadian National's unique “tear drop” windows to the early body details on Southern Pacific and Santa Fe, these models take the Genesis 2.0 line to new heights. Standard on all models are Athearn's superior paint colors, reliable Genesis drive and LED lighting for years of trouble free operation.