General Electric 44-Ton Switchers

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GE 44-ton Switcher

GE 44-ton switcher

General Electric 44-ton switcher -- Duluth, Georgia.
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	GE Transportation Systems
Model	44-ton switcher
Build date	1940 – 1956
Total production	348
AAR wheel arr.	B-B
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm)
Locomotive weight	44 short tons (40 metric tons)
Prime mover	Caterpillar D17000 (2 off) except: Hercules DFXD (2 off) 9 locomotives; Buda 6DH1742 (2 off) 10 locomotives; Caterpillar D342 (2 off) 4 locomotives.
Cylinders	2 × V8
Power output	360–400 hp (270–300 kW)
Locale	North America, Australia

The GE 44-ton switcher is a 4-axle diesel locomotive built by General Electric between 1940 and 1956. It was designed for industrial and light switching duties, often replacing steam locomotives that had previously been assigned these chores. This locomotive's specific 44-short ton weight was directly related to one of the efficiencies the new diesel locomotives offered compared to their steam counterparts, reduced labour intensity. In the 1940s, the steam to diesel transition was in its infancy in North America, and railroad unions were trying to protect the locomotive fireman jobs that were redundant with diesel units. One measure taken to this end was a stipulation that locomotives weighing 90,000 pounds (41,000 kg) or more required a fireman in addition to an engineer. The 44-ton locomotive was born to skirt this requirement. Other manufacturers also built 44-ton switchers of center-cab configuration. 348 examples of this locomotive were built for North American railroads. Many remain in either in service, or in museums.

Prime mover options

Australia

Forty-seven locomotives were bought by the US Military, and four of them were exported to Australia. All saw service on the New South Wales Government Railways as the 79 class, before two of them were sold to Commonwealth Railways, becoming the DE class.

Preserved Examples

United States

• The Western Pacific Railroad Museum at Portola, California is the home of Quincy Railroad 3. This 44 ton engine replaced steam power on this shortline railroad. The WPRM is also home to Quincy 4, an Alco S1 switcher that replaced QRR 3.
• The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad in Duluth, MN uses a loco formally used at the Lac de Flambeau paper mill.
• The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento runs the Sacramento Southern Railroad Number 1240, formerly the U.S. Air Force Number 1240 out of McLellan Air Force Base.

Click on any photo for large view		This photo provided by Bachmann Industries

Product Information
First built in 1940, nearly 400 of these sturdy diesel locomotives were produced by General Electric for sale around the world. At 88,000 pounds, the 44 Ton Switcher was designed specifically as the heaviest allowable locomotive for one-man operation. Used primarily for light branchline and industrial work, the 44 Ton Switcher was equipped with caterpillar engines that generated approximately 400 horsepower. Last produced in 1956, many are still in operation today. A perennial favorite in the Spectrum® line, the new N-Scale 44 Ton Switcher includes DCC On Board™.

Stock Checks:

Inventory is a fluid commodity.  It changes by the hour (sometimes by the minute). To retain our pricing structure we maintain stock levels designed to turnover 6 times each year. We cannot guarantee stock status till we have an order in hand. All product is subject to prior sale. If we confirm that we have it, and, while we are waiting for the order it sells, you would be upset that we did not hold it.
We used to hold items but learned a VERY EXPENSIVE lesson. When we held items for customers’ orders, the order never materialized 80%+ of the time.  We lost out on the orders placed while the item was on hold.  Also we wasted staff time that could have been used to pull actual orders.
Since we are well known for finding older stock the fact that it may not be on our shelves at this minute does not mean we can’t get it. So, as we spell out on our terms pages, we don’t do it anymore. You may, however, call in and we will tell you if the items are available and if possible attempt to locate what we don’t have while you are on the phone.