GE AC44i Locomotive Unboxing - What is this Thing!?!

[@fernandomarques5166]

The GE AC44i is a variant of AC4400CW designed for brazilian loading gauge, the first unit came out of the GE plant in Erie, PA in 2008 for MRS Logística S/A. Production was later entirely taken over by the GE plant in Contagem, Minas Gerais. 540 locomotives were produced between 2008 and 2022 when the production plant at Contagem switched from AC44i's to the new ES44ACi's. On the figure's case I'd like point out the brazilian crews rarely comprise more than one man while on the road, specially with the coverage of GPS and CTC tracking we have here. This model was a relatively big jump for Frateschi in 2015 when it launched, it was the first time they had working ditch lights and the first time they included a large amount of underframe detail (mostly pipes molded on) and changed the original mounting of the couplers from a truck mounted system to the pockets system you see on the model which made putting Whisker Kadee's a lot simpler. SMT there's two snap on locks on the sides of the fuel tank were you can lift the whole frame without having to remove the handrails/grabirons, visible at 6:18 (the finger of your right hand is basically pointing at it) right under the B of BRADO. BRADO Logistica is subsidiary of Rumo Logística S/A created with the sole purposed of handling their container shipments by rail. The unit you have, no.9061, was the first AC44i to be made for BRADO. Imho the BRADO livery rocks. Frateschi has always been railroading on a budget, I do agree with the points you made on the end of the video since they're also points levied by some brazilian model railroaders. On the topic of retooling, considering the history of the G12, that might take a long while, we can hope though. Their newest loco model is the ALCo/MLW RS-3 and RSC-3 which reintroduced metal frames, last seen in 1999.

[@Posttrip]

Thanks for that info. I like the Frateschi’s catalog. I first heard about them 2 year ago. It was great to learn there’s another big manufacturer out of South America that features Brazilian and South American locomotives and rolling stock. ‘A new frontier for collecting!😃 I read some comments from Brazilian modelers who said you have to careful watch the models you buy because some are actually “OO” and “HO.” I see they sell around the world and perhaps, want to appeal to UK modelers. It all looks good and check frequently to look for any new models or liveries.

[@johnd8892]

We buy some of these models in Australia. I also subscribe to Trains of Brazil an amazing and good channel to watch. The most amazing trains to me, and everyone I show them to, are the ones on dual gauge track where a group of broad gauge diesels of 1600 mm gauge pulls some wagons of narrow gauge 1000 mm , then helper narrow gauge diesels pushing at the back. Big trains too of around 100 cars. In Victoria Australia we, like Brazil , have 1600 mm gauge mostly with our version of the G12 running on them in the past. This was the Victorian Railways flat top first series T class. A model of them was made by BRM with help from Auscision. One G12 here ran on 1067 mm gauge track in a major cement works system. Later sold to VR and converted to 1600 mm gauge. Now preserved as T413 with dynamic brakes. Nothing like the unique mixed gauge trains in Brazil that seem so common that they get hardly a mention running on The Corridor. As I understand it. A Frateschi old time 2-8-0 was repainted and sold here as the VR V class than ran from 1900 to 1930.

[@johnd8892]

Oops my mistake our early T class were an EMD G8 design. Worth looking for vids of T413.

[@eugeniomarins2936]

@@Posttrip "Another big manufacturer?" I am anaware of other manufacturers in South (or Latin) America.

[@SMTMainline]

This is all excellent information, thanks for sharing. I do recall there being a GE commercial from 2008 featuring the AC44i's - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pILNgquDi99shpY

[@MysticRivers2]

I like it, it's handsome in the Brado scheme. And its quiet, cheap and itll be reliable. Harrison, you got yourself a comparative steal!

[@ginaklein8964]

Unboxing, repairing, and running your new locomotive......enjoying all 3 phases tonight!!!

[@Diretodaferrovia9275]

Cool to bring this type of content ge ac44i locomotives are the most popular in Brazil, note frateschi is the only manufacturer of miniature trains in Brazil

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Da América Latina, até onde sei.

[@Diretodaferrovia9275]

@@eugeniomarins2936 rumo kkkk

[@uncleh5460]

Cool paint scheme on that loco. Your layout looks great!

[@modelrailroader5619]

That unit looks great on your layout.👏👏👏

[@campinasesuaferrovia846]

I'm happy that you brought one of the models here from Brazil, and the export price to the USA was really high in relation to what this locomotive offers in terms of details and mechanics, we don't know why but frateschi still bets on 3-pole engines , and in long models like the EP-4 electric locomotive and the AC44i it implemented 2 motors, where each one can have a different speed, which could force the reducer, but the good point is that the gears of the frateschi reducers are unbreakable lmao. so cost reduction, they don't use metal handles and still opt for plastic, even though they are absurdly sensitive, this is because frateschi in Brazil is the starting point for many model railroaders, that is, it is a more accessible company for people who want to start the hobby, another detail that you can observe from this "cost reduction" is the lack of detailing of the cabin windows, where they are not even divided, but at least it comes very close to the real model and with some customizations it is perfect. excellent video, and just one last question, frateschi made several paintings of FA-1, 2-8-0 BLW locomotives for American railways, is it still common to find them for sale?

[@SMTMainline]

I've never seen their American FA-1 models in person. Do you know when they were being sold here?

[@alisongoebel4616]

my son started watching your videos last month and is now really into model trains. he says he is "a fan!" thanks for your videos

[@bgorshal]

That is a really cool locomotive! Still nothing will ever beat the original Dash 9s and AC44s.

[@danielferrovias]

Are you sure about that? At least ours still run...

[@johnd8892]

About the lighting. The "D" in LED means diode, as in its full name Light Emitting Diode. So it naturally only emits light in one direction from the polarity supplied from DC track systems. Just a smart way of giving directional lighting unlike filament bulbs which would need extra diodes more work to wire them in at the factory.

[@antonbruce1241]

Two motors - that's highly unusual. The last I saw that was an old Athearn blue-box DD40X. And it's nice to see she's a good puller!

[@ParadigmAC]

I have a Bachmann spectrum DD40x with two motors. Runs awesome.

[@stefanegger]

KLEINBAHN also uses 2 motors.

[@Engine1988]

They're a little more common in O Scale. I have a huge Menards FP7 like that.

[@stevesmodelbuilds5473]

It's kinda cool the cab is separate from the main shell. And the new bridge looks great!

[@NotDaender]

I'm honestly impressed that thing has dual motors! Just imagine hot-rodding this with a pair of 5-poles and some more ballast to increase traction. Given the MSRP, this is a better deal than most DC-only Dash 9 units!

[@stefansvensson9218]

Like many of the Kleinbahn locomotives, dual motors

[@SMTMainline]

I think so long as the two motors were linked I'm sure that would run great!

[@batistafilho6536]

Fabricada pela Frateschi trens esse modelo foca mais no custo benefício um produto barato mas que entende e todos os públicos assim como a Bachmann..ela possui dois motores de 3 pólos, compartimento para autofante debaixo do tanque de combustível caso futuramente o dono queira instalar um decoder e transformar la em DCC/digital pelo preço e o que ela oferece vale muito a pena custando aqui no Brasil em torno de R$350,00/370,00 BRL

[@KLM747_Fan]

this train looks awesome i love me some ac44s

[@kcmorailfan4784]

This locomotive kinda reminds me of the 90s Bachmann Spectrum dash 8s with having the details on the loco. The drive system. I'd wish they used a drive similar to what Athearn or Walthers uses for their locomotives.

[@BMPellogia]

I actually worked with the real 9061. AC44i's are very reliable machines, they got beaten up 24-7, almost always pulling on the weight limts and, on the 7 years i worked with them i had a single problem related to the remote/dpu system. The only complaint that i have is that the cab is welded to the frame, so every single vibration from the engine and track was transmitted to the cab.

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear they were selling a high quality product, considering it was based on AC4400s they certainly hit the ground running in terms of trial and error.

[@howardfalkenberry960]

I remember back in the 70s and 80s when my dad and I ran n scale, the locos had traction tires, helped with the pull, we always had fun.

[@SMTMainline]

Traction tires are a good way to improve pulling capacity on light weight locomotives although they can be tricky to find replacements for and they can also burn out motors if you're not careful.

[@howardfalkenberry960]

And you right, but the wheels were actually hard rubber on the non conductive side, lol

[@damiencx5002]

Very nice and love the paint scheme. Shame the drive shaft was loose and was in the box, still not a bad locomotive 🇦🇺

[@SMTMainline]

Who knows how it could have been handled in shipping so I will cut them some slack on that.

[@w.rustylane5650]

I've never paid more than $75.00 for a loco; I purchased 2 used Atlas GP-7's in Central of Georgia. They were like new with now wear whatsoever. Cheers from eastern TN

[@lpclassic60]

“Reminds me of Lionel HO” might be the meanest thing I’ve ever heard you say lol What a striking livery. You get an A+, Brazil.

[@oskarvalance3041]

It's different. Never seen one like that before. It is sharp looking but you're right, just a little more attention to detail it would be a great engine. I think it was a good purchase. From Texas.

[@andrewferguson5653]

Quite an interesting engine, SMT. I wasn't aware of any Brazilian manufacturers before.

[@danshobbies13]

That color scheme is awesome.

[@normancoreyBuildingTrains]

Nice job cracking that open and getting it all sorted out .

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

Uh, when is Harrison gonna stop getting engines that don't run right out of the box? Lol 😂 I'm just kidding! Because we don't know when! Excellent Video SMT! Strange that you got another loco that didn't run out of the box, but at least you got it going again. As usual, you made a great video that is underrated. Hopefully we can see that engine on a live stream!

[@SMTMainline]

I did find that strange, 3rd/4th time in a row now

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

Yeah the 3th

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

I really like how Harrison is slowly redeveloping his layout into a more professional looking one!

[@Gfysimpletons]

With age comes perfection!

[@SMTMainline]

@@Gfysimpletons That's the main thing, each time there is a renovation there are things I learned in the past which can be applied to the next.

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

Indeed!👍😁

[@jonathangreenlees4772]

So true! Nice to be talking to you, Harrison!

[@robertcrundwell2782]

Like the color choices. Another outstanding work repair.

[@randydobson1863]

hello smt mainline it's is randy and i like yours video thanks and ge ac4400 is cool super smt mainline thanks friends randy

[@carolosten995]

When somone says "Your going to brazil" you get sent to this train

[@betsymani2734]

South American paint schemes are really cool! Keep up the good videos

[@johnd8892]

I was convinced the missing drive shaft was missed in the factory or similar so glad you actually found it. You said no big deal , which it was not for you, but you would be up in the top 10 per cent wrt cabailiites. My estimate is that it would a major problem for all but one percent of buyers purchasing a cheaper locomotive like this.

[@MozanaRN]

I have 5 of Frateschi's FA1 models. I find their gearing to my liking as the trucks make a very nice Athearn type growling sound. I am curious as to how many of this particular locomotive's axles are driven. If all six are that would make for interesting listening. Thank you for sharing this unusual model. Best wishes.

[@David-yo5re]

It looks nice, but having two motors running independent of each other could potentially cause problems later if one of them stops running properly.

[@SMTMainline]

I tend to agree. If everything is well maintained there shouldn't be an issue but it would only take one thread getting in one of the gearboxes it screw it up.

[@MattKonsol]

Nice review on this Harrison! That thing runs like a champ here!

[@noahthetrainguy]

Hey SMTMainline this video was great and I know you don’t do 20 freight cars but I did do a 20 car freight train pull by my Union Pacific 4-8-4 on my layout and I use 2 diesel’s to pull 26 freight cars

[@darrylthurston2078]

I bought a Frateschi loco 2 years ago and I'll never buy another one. It is an Alco FA1 all wheel pickup and drive with a double flywheel I paid AU$99 for. It was very noisy and after a few hours running shorted out my controller. I sent it back to the shop I bought it from under warranty. It came back noisy and after a few hours running shorted again. I then sent it to a professional train repairer, it was still very noisy and shorted out again. The repairer refunded me and said that out of all the brands they service Frateschi is by far the brand they have the most problems with.

[@skogsshrimpandstuff7693]

Very cool! And also happy Canada day!

[@SMTMainline]

Same to you!

[@stevenmanchester2104]

Love that color scheme 😍

[@crsrdash-840b5]

Wow 2 motors!?! Talk about power plants. To note: Those are electrical MU hoses to control additional locomotives. The actual air hose is by the coupler. Its ok, when I first started I made that same mistake. I learn a lot since then lol. I think you can replace those motors with 5-pole motors with single flywheels.

[@gpalmt]

Thanks for the video

[@kevinbeverly4086]

Honestly I might have to get one of those. It looks really cool.

[@juannublado340]

It runs realy soomthly, but the design is very inconvenient for maintenance and repair.

[@c44-9w9]

It’s basically a variant of the ge AC4400 and dash 9s are c44-9ws mostly owned by ns which are being converted into ac44c6ms

[@BritishRail60062]

I never heard of this brand before but great video. Not sure if UK trains interest you but I would recommend trying out the Accurascale Class 92 models. They are OO gauge but will work fine on HO scale track as well. I have done a video of one if you need any references. They are strong and heavy models! Also from this month. I will be doing reviews of retro train sets from Hornby that were made in the 1980's and 1990's. Its a new range of videos of model trains I am doing but I enjoy doing them. Peter.

[@FrankTedesco]

$200...plastic handrails.... doesn't run out of box...gimme a break

[@SlapthePissouttayew]

Right?

[@SMTMainline]

To be fair the Msrp is more like $90 USD but all four sellers who ship worldwide want $200 give or take.

[@toddcogswell9470]

I think one dual shaft motor that is five poles instead of three and had a couple of brass flywheels would improve it. Might have seen that kind of setup before. Hint Hint think athearn. Love the video. Thanks again.

[@SMTMainline]

It's tried and true. I've found decent quality scew wound 5 pole motors for $4 a piece. It would improve their performance a great deal I'd imagine.

[@Bryson-iy7mg]

That’s a nice locomotive, I like the colors. Great video

[@yoyostudios6211]

Nice train friend! Got a NS 1219

[@yoyostudios6211]

SMT is NS 1219 a good train?

[@Petemonster62]

SMT - I looked at a couple short videos of the prototype; you may want to paint the vertical handrails around the steps yellow & the brake wheel should also be yellow. Maybe you could help the headlight and ditch light illumination by making internal supports for the LED & the clear plastic " light pipe " to keep them lined up? When you built Lindberg plastic models years ago, they had instructions in English, French, & German. They also had the paint colors labelled in those languages.

[@SMTMainline]

I tried fixing the lighting issue after the video and it didn't seem to make a difference. I might try modifying this locomotive to improve it.

[@Petemonster62]

@@SMTMainline - That is cool SMT that you did try out some ideas to improve the headlight!

[@tomcrutcher3045]

eBay should give you a credit on a future purchase, or the owner should pay you for the fix you had to do relative to the escaped drive situation. A lot of people would have just said-"It's no good" and sent it back.

[@roberttapken1139]

Motor sound reminded me of riding an old NYC subway car! Nice

[@nitrorrat8190]

Your layout is looking awesome

[@Dezzybabe548]

You can run the locomotive With your Wakefield train

[@bernd-das-brot]

In principle, it is possible to use the LEDs without additional components for the lighting that depends on the direction of travel, but they will have a significantly shorter service life. unlike normal diodes, LEDs do not like reverse bias voltage. At least one normal diode should therefore be connected in series to protect the light-emitting diode from the reverse voltage, the manufacturer could have invested the 5ct!

[@AmbientRC]

It's a nice looking Locomotive.

[@madsmay7600]

You’re the best and smt Mainline

[@TheCSXrailfanner]

The satisfaction of running a new train engine

[@TooManyHobbiesJeremy]

I like the sound of it running down the track.

[@bultacowally]

I gotta say Harrison that locomotive sounds very much like a real one. And it doesn't even have sound does it??? The sound that is used in every brand HO locomotives these days IMHO does not resemble anything like what modern real locomotives sound like, at least not the CSX locos I hear. They sound more like tractor trailer trucks than train locos. Anyway I'd say that is a very nice loco you got there I may look into buying one just for the sound.

[@cjdavis2684]

Was glad you found the drive shaft and got it going. for that kind of money it would had sucked if the shaft wasn't there. Where as it is cool it has twin motors I have to admit it seems slow especially if you ran your 777 next to it I wouldn't be surprised if the 777 out ran it excuse the pun I also noticed the head light was really dim, you could hardly tell it was even on. Will still make a interesting model to your collection but in my opinion it was not worth that much money for it's quality.

[@A_Typical_Person_On_YouTube]

I wasent expecting the locomotive to come broken out of the box, but its very unusual to see that some trains straight out of the box just dont run.

[@Ale-we4hx]

It's very rare for me to come out 'broken', here in Brazil I've never seen that before

[@Gfysimpletons]

Yeah, I bought one last year at a garage sale for $20 usd, brand new…….what a piece of junk. The motor fried alter 1 hour of run time….. Hopefully you’ll have better luck.

[@papawoody9597]

Doesn't seem like a bad unit, but certainly not worth any kind of premium unless you have a connection of some sort to Brazil.

[@SouRwy4501Productions]

For a $200 locomotive, I’m surprised it doesn’t have even a dcc socket.

[@eprohoda]

Yeah! excellent video-)

[@shipbuilding1000]

Interesting. They made same Alco FA diesels in the late 70s or early 80s I believe. One of my friends has a couple of them

[@ChamplainDivision]

Ummm, Harrison, what the heck were you doing starting at 4:07 with that Kadee Coupler Height gauge? You "Are" aware that a height gauge is designed to be used to set coupler height on rolling stock when both are on a piece of track, right? Doing so on a table top is completely incorrect and probably why the front coupler busted off at 7:57.

[@SMTMainline]

I'm aware of that, I was checking to make sure the couple was secure since the socket felt loose.

[@AWizardAndaMouse3432]

My favorite part about this vid is the motor hum, I find it oddly relaxing, and i don’t know why.

[@greg0063]

This thing sounds great!

[@northpennvalleysteamrailroad]

Awesome video 😊

[@williamkolina3988]

Harrison, I was tau 5:03 5:03 ght to put heaviest cars in the front.I always put my die cast cars in front

[@justinebarker3706]

This is just a suggestion maybe review more Australian locomotives or rolling stock

[@garysprandel1817]

I'd guess it's just an AC44 with the i simply added to denote import which IIRC for Brazil is mainly a gauge difference if the stats on the Little Joes they got still holds true.

[@davidstrainsandlego]

The paint scheme's really interesting

[@alanwagstaff16]

Not bad and you don't need to fit sound to it .😁

[@popcat2214]

I kinda want this train now the colors are really nice

[@Hammerhead9045]

Another great video Harrison! Keep up the great work pal! And just a small question, can you turn off the wildfires please? My allergies are a mess 😂

[@bobsbasementhotrains3020]

Great video. I was wondering if the motors were turned so that the poles are 180 % out from each other and a tube connecting them would it act like a six pole motor. Just a idea.

[@uncleh5460]

Happy Canada Day!

[@SMTMainline]

Same to you!

[@geraldratte9254]

Great engine theme from Mexico, It may be an Aethern blue box, the first model I see with double independent engines earlier model I don't know and best to convert to DDC if you wish. can be great on very low-speed crawling when converted it was built to last for over 100 years and more with the proper maintenance every year as long you run them every week. As for gears in trucks always been plastic even on the Yellow boxes from Aethern early 50s to 60s era all were well built and very affordable. Whatever you decide all old Aethern engines are made to last more them we expect them to.

[@stephenhudson8739]

Yeah a 5 pole skew wound motor would really help things out especially a tsugami times 2

[@ferrovocho28]

Great video! Maybe you should buy a V-8 from the same brand. It's a nice motor for a not so high price.

[@micoasters]

Watching this after picking up my first amfleet car, a new in box athearn dome car.

[@yambo59]

Shes a healthy sounding loco though the price seems a bit high, oil the bearings add some lead weight over the trucks in the body or wherever and youll see improved traction, ive got an old two motor DD40 sixteen wheel drive with weights added in the body over the trucks and it pulls something like twenty five cars no problem depending on car weight. That baby rumbles around the layout sounding almost like the real thing--LOL

[@CedarLakeRailfanner]

This reminds me of older HO scale Kato engines where you had to put all the details on yourself and the way that the shell comes off is pritty similar

[@markk.4941]

I think I would try to find or make a flywheel that would go on the shafts of the motors and connect them together, thus making it one motor with more flywheel weight.

[@SMTMainline]

I'm sure it would run quite well that way.

[@sernajrlouis]

Cool video

[@RailfanVince]

Looks like AC44C6M but with the number boards on the nose.

[@KCDash4400cw]

Oh cool Brazilian loco, awesome (Edit) frateschi locos have quite dim headlights, I own a frateschi u20c and it's got really dim lights

[@SMTMainline]

Thanks for the info

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

You might want to think about connecting the two motors via a rubber tube drive shaft. This will always assure the motor will operate at precisely the same speed even if one slows down over time.

[@SMTMainline]

I probably will, it would run far better that way.

[@ArcadiaJunctionHobbies]

@@SMTMainline and also each motor will 'kickstart' the other as power is applied thereby compensating for starts on dirty track or dead frogs.

[@daviddorrell8390]

@@SMTMainline If you can find where the rotors are and offset one by half a pole with respect to the other it may run better - or test it on the track to see what works.

[@TrainGuy765]

You should buy a heritage unit your choice of loco

[@jacobdubielak]

I bet he would buy a Norfolk southern heritage unit

[@TrainGuy765]

@@jacobdubielak probably

[@ErickC]

Hm, I suspect it might be a better locomotive with some ballast? The little Kato steeple cab I bought for my sister can pull about 13 cars at its limit... and it's only got 4 wheels. My Atlas classic GP9 could probably do well over 30 - I ran out of cars for it to pull around 25 and it wasn't even breaking a sweat.

[@commanderblueproduction2401]

Very nice

[@ScottTaipaleRail]

i love your vids

[@marblox9300]

WOW, you work FAST gluing those handrails on. How much coffee did you drink.??? Chicago says Hi to you up northerners.!!!

[@SMTMainline]

Too much.

[@danielferrovias]

Those things work on the Southeast division! Where the exportation corridor is located

[@mercuryoak2]

Its a very odd locomotive. Teal teal teal . That one looks like it has a Athearn type drive like my SD70M however having 2 motors is a bit much especially when one will eventually die or break down and cause the other one to struggle. Overall its a nice one just needs something to improve the performance and the company would be doing pretty good. I would say with more weight and better motor system it would pull about 30 freight cars maybe a little more if lighter cars .

[@SMTMainline]

Time will tell. I think this locomotive would be easy to upgrade.

[@mercuryoak2]

@@SMTMainline I agree. I think be really neat

[@tomasrogers2176]

Think its time you to add an Irish loco to your collection, we've American & canadian built GM's so they wouldnt be out of place. Keep up the good work with the videos, from watching your videos ive managed to restore a few of my old locos.

[@SMTMainline]

I'm down with that. Are there any you would suggest? I don't know the Irish market very well.

[@bcsferromodelismo3822]

🇧🇷🚂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Great video Mainline!

[@MMRails]

¡esa es una buena sandía!