HO Dash 9-44CW Locomotive Sound-Ready CN #2616 (ATH78060)

HO Dash 9-44CW Locomotive CN #2616 is a high-detail HO-scale freight model designed to bring authentic CN power to a layout. It is sound-ready with a 21-pin DCC plug and pre-installed speakers, making it simple to run with DCC sound. Road-name-specific details—horn, plow, rear grills, trucks, and antennas—are complemented by see-through cab windows and fine-scale handrails for a convincing appearance. Factory accents such as sunshades, a frame-mounted bell, exhaust stack, brake wheel, rear sand filler, and air tanks, along with separately-applied grab irons, enhance realism. The drive includes steerable or Hi-ad trucks with individual shock struts and brake cylinders, a 5,000-gallon fuel tank, LED lighting, and bi-directional constant lighting to keep headlights even in both directions. The power train combines a 5-pole motor with precision flywheels and a multi-link drive for smooth, quiet operation, all-wheel drive with reliable current pickup, a heavy die-cast frame, RP25-contour wheels, and McHenry operating scale knuckles for prototypical coupling.

Prototype background notes that the Dash 9-44CW is GE’s modern freight locomotive from the Dash 9 family, introduced in the 1990s and widely used by North American railroads. The CN version shares its frame, Hi-ad trucks, a 16-cylinder 7FDL engine, and 752AH-31 traction motors with related Dash 9 models, delivering strong pulling power and realistic performance on HO layouts. The model’s DCC readiness and detailed finish are designed to support authentic sound and control upgrades, while its careful detailing mirrors the clean lines, cab geometry, sunshades, antennas, and overall presence of the prototype.