MTH BNSF ES44AC's 20-20090-1 & 3

The early units BNSF rec'd, and painted in the H2 scheme as shown, were all labeled as AC4400CW's in the lower stripe area, although they are technically ES44 units.  These were the earliest versions prior to the H3 "wedge" scheme, where they were delivered as  ES44DC units. It appears MTH got the units correct-

Jeff,

 

Thanks a million. I was concerned when I opened the boxes and then when I looked at the MTH site.

 

Eric

Google BNSF 5726 pic.
The real engine is indeed labeled AC4400CW.

Larry

Here's some more trivia for these models, FWIW.

 

My BNSF 2011-2012 Locomotive Directory lists 5726, 5733, 5735 (all road numbers for that MTH part number) as ES4400EV. General Note a. for those engines goes on to say that the GE model designation is AC4400CWT2, later ES44AC.

 

The pictures for that model in the book show the designation AC4400CW on the engine itself. It lists their quantity as 30, No's 5718-5747 built between Aug. 2003 and Jan. 2004.

If I hadn't seen this post I would have never known any of this. You learn something new everyday!

 

Bill

I was aware of this too.  At first I was annoyed at MTH, but then I realized after googling prototype photos that sometimes BNSF and others have these marked differently than the builder calls them.  Now I have to compliment MTH in going the extra step to get this "correct"!

I remember that little tidbit of information from an article I think in Model Railroader back in about 2005 or so, around the time the prototypes were first delivered. There was a nice set of drawings and close up photos of the new BNSF engines. That reminds me that I took some pictures of the MTH models, I think to share on the 3RS forum, that I never did show. Among other detail improvements over the first run were a finer horn casting and the new finer MU hoses:  

 

I have been away from trains and the forum for quite a while.  I have been wanting a pair of ES44AC locomotives, I preordered two MTH Premier ES44ACs in Norfolk Southern paint this week (scale wheels) from Mr Muffin.  I can't wait to see them and hope they are everything I'm wanting.

 

Rich your photos look great!

I have the same BNSF engines too and wondered about the AC4400 stencil. There were thirty units in that delivery of pre-production units 5718-5747 with the present designation of AC4400EV. They were delivered between Sept. 2003 and Jan. 2004.