Modern Locomotive Guide

Locomotive: AC6000

Manufacturer: General Electric

Horsepower Rating: 6000 Hp

Prime Mover: 7HDL 16 Cylinder

Weight: 211.5 Imperial Tons

Weight Distribution: 6-axle (C-C), 35.25 Tons per axle

Length: 76'

Manufacture Dates: 1995-2001

Number of Units: 311, including 8 for export

Visual Identification: The main identification for this locomotive is the large, boxy radiator section that overhangs the rear locomotive hood. The fuel tank also has a notch between the air reservoirs, and the unit has three air intake grills above the AC inverters, just behind the cab. An easier non-unit specific spotting feature would be the paint-job - only CSX and Union Pacific have these units in North America.

Trivials:- This locomotive was the "SD50" of General Electric. Problems with engine vibration and turbochargers doomed this unit from the start. Some of the units have been "dumbed-down" to 4,400 horsepower, with promises to replace the engines with 6,000Hp units at a later time.

- GE decided to go ahead with production of this locomotive despite problems that General Motors was having with the 6,000Hp SD90MAC. That locomotive couldn't deliver the 6,000Hp it also promised, and was also a monumental failure. GM had to jump back two SD designations and sell off EMD just to recover from that failure.

AC6000 units featured on this website:

612
Diversity in Motion
Evening Pass at Resaca
High Horses