O ES44AC Diesel SOU #8099/3.0

The Norfolk Southern operates a fleet of 20 Heritage freight
diesels, honoring “fallen flag” railroads that have been merged into
the NS. The ES44AC shown on these pages honors the Southern Railway,
whose freight cars proudly carried the slogan “Southern Gives a Green
Light to Innovation.”

On its Heritage diesel website, the NS honors the Southern’s
history: “Southern Railway originated as the South Carolina Canal and
Rail Road Company in 1827. On Christmas Day, 1830, it put into service
the nation’s first regularly scheduled steam passenger train, “The Best
Friend of Charleston.” Southern was incorporated in 1894 from the
reorganization and consolidation of numerous predecessors, and absorbed
another 68 railroad companies over the next six years.Our Southern
Railway Heritage unit was unveiled in Chicago on July 15, 2006.”

At the heart of the Evolution Series is a brand new prime
mover, the four-cycle, 12-cylinder GEVO-12. While producing the same
4400 horsepower as its 16-cylinder FDL-series predecessor, the GEVO-12
uses less fuel and spits out 40% fewer emissions. GE claims the EVOs
are “the most fuel-efficient, most environmentally friendly diesel
locomotives in history.” Everything about these locomotives has been
examined, questioned, and re-thought, generating 25 new U.S. patents in
the process. And every Big Six railroad has ponied up to buy them, with
the BNSF currently rostering the largest EVO fleet.

Like our debut RailKing Imperial diesel, the SD70ACe, the
ES44AC comes accurately decorated in modern motive power paint schemes.
Our near-scale model is a full 17″ in length, yet operates comfortably
on O-31 curves. Under the hood of the Proto-Sound 3.0 version is the
same sound and control system found in our more expensive Premier model
of this locomotive this locomotive, with sounds recorded from the
actual prototype. Additional Imperial features include operating diesel
exhaust smoke and flashing ditch lights. If you’re looking for realism
and a lot of fun at a RailKing price, it doesn’t get any better than
this!

Did You Know?

Fully loaded, an Evolution Series diesel carries 5000 gallons
of diesel fuel, 450 gallons of lube oil, and 400 gallons of cooling
water.