Product Review ScaleTrains HO AC4400CW SP - Powerful HO Scale Engine!

[@theodoreshasta7846]

Not sure where we go from here, but this sure feels like the Golden Age of model railroading. Let’s enjoy it, and thank you for another comprehensive review.

[@RonMontagueSWRR]

Another great review. I doubt it Athearn can top that. Just might have to go with Scale Train.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@traindad77]

Once my 3 Scaletrains AC4400 arrived, I canceled my order of Athearn ac4400. My last 3 Ath locos were B/O out of the box.

[@gacj2010]

What a great full presentation...Daniel is so knowledgeable...

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@danielramsey1959]

Thanks Dan, that was a great review.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@streetfightinmanrs]

I’ve been waiting for this review. You do a great job explaining and demonstrating what to look for in a model. It is nice to know that Scale Trains did an incredible job replicating the AC4400, right down to increasing the pulling power vs the C44. Keep up the great work!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. I'm not sure what ScaleTrains did to increase the pulling power, but this thing is really strong. I wasn't kidding when I said I had to work to hold it still. Thanks for watching!

[@jack9989]

Once again a great review.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@thomasavensjr.2790]

Very handsome and spectacular locomotive model of the AC4400CW from Scaletrains, I'm not a modern era modeler but this is possibly the most accurate model that I've ever seen of an AC4400 available in ho scale and this model is a great puller. Excellent product review as always and Scaletrains seems to produce great, high quality locomotive models as I often hear positive observations about Scaletrains products- Tom.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. I have been generally very pleased with the models I've gotten from ScaleTrains. I have quite a few of them now. Thanks for watching!

[@MrBillCNW]

Great demonstration keep up the good work.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much!

[@danielpaulson786]

So far the best review I've found on this model.good job guy.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@farmerdave7965]

I repaired the braking system on the real 146. The reason you don't see speed recorder cable is because speed is measured by radar with the radar horn behind the front truck under the unit. The real AC4400s can be moved out of the shop with only battery power without starting the prime mover.

[@DanielCortopassi]

Thanks so much for the insight! I had no idea about the radar or that the locomotives could be moved without power. As a modeler I always like hearing from people who worked on the real thing. Thanks for watching!

[@Trainman3985]

As someone who grow up at the last years of Southern Pacific this review hits home for me.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. When I'm out railfanning I always think it's a treat to see one of these. Thanks for watching!

[@eliabraham6918]

Great review. It seems like Scaletrains even built this engine to scale in pulling power too.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. I was surprised and impressed that the pulling power was so much greater than the Dash 9s. Thanks for watching!

[@rynetreatch9558]

Man, that’s a great looking locomotive! Hopefully I can get one sooner rather than later.

[@DanielCortopassi]

ScaleTrains did a really nice job on this one. I hope you get the one you want. Thanks for watching!

[@johnoneill5661]

Scaletrains do make some really nice models.👍

[@DanielCortopassi]

Yes they do! Thanks for watching!

[@shipbuilding1000]

I knew you would probably be getting some of these. I have great memories of these units since we had family friends who shared a condo with us in Vail in the 90s, although I cared nothing about skiing, my father made a point of taking us to Tennessee Pass in 96 and 97 as he knew the closure was looming. These AC motors were 90% of what you saw on the pass at that time. My models showed up looking great, several of them had the plow loose in the box because apparently the holes in the pilot were molded too large for a secure fit. Easy fix though. Keep up the great content 👍🏻

[@DanielCortopassi]

I wish I'd been able to see Tennessee Pass in action back in the day. That must have been something. Most of my recollections of seeing these engines are post merger. I'm glad your models arrived mostly okay. I didn't have the plow issue with mine, but I'm glad it was an easy fix. Thanks for watching!

[@mgr_video_productions]

Nice review Dan!

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@debbiemilka2251]

Daniel, Thanks for making this review of Scale Trains AC4400CW SP. Super detailing, great looks and what a puller ! I hope I can find one for myself.

[@DanielCortopassi]

You're welcome. I hope you find one, too. Thanks for watching!

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

I love your videos you have a passion for model trains

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you like the videos. Thanks so much for watching!

[@tulyar1043]

Another review of a great model. One minus point, there is no traction motor whine when in sound mode, this is the signiture sound of the prototype locomotives.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for the info about the traction motor noise. The good thing is that since the model has a LokSound, if new sound sets become available the decoder software could be upgraded. Thanks for watching!

[@paulkirkmanMYTRAINS]

Very impressive.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for watching!

[@AlikStansberry]

Well done Dan! I was really surprised by how much that model could pull, but at the same time I guess I shouldn’t since the real AC44s pull better than Dash 9s. A pretty good model overall. Not to mention NS bought 36 AC4400CWs I’m sure will work pretty well with their C6M rebuilds.

[@DanielCortopassi]

The pulling power surprised me. I'm not sure what ScaleTrains did to the mechanism vs. the Dash 9s, but I repeated the test several times to make sure it wasn't a fluke. Thanks for watching!

[@Trains-With-Shane]

I need to get a Scaletrains model for my stable. I REALLY like that they use pogo pins instead of wires for the shell lighting. Excellent review as always, Dan! I can't wait to see this thing on your Donner pass layout.

[@debbiemilka2251]

Shane, This model has set new standards for the model train industry. The pins , the pulling and the painted drive wheel faces !

[@michaelcudby787]

Yep, true that. Having a tethered shell, is really PIA. I believe there is only one manufacturer still doing the tethered shell, the same one who just recently started using Leds, instead of incadecent bulbs

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. This is a really nice model, maybe even a little nicer than the ScaleTrains Dash 9s, which are really good models themselves. I am also looking forward to running them on my layout when I get it built. Thanks for watching!

[@Eastkentuckysirensandtrains]

I received my CSX prototype I would guess.. 3 weeks ago? I don’t know. But the horn, the paint, the classic GE Steel Bell everything, I was very convinced to get other prototypes but the CSX one got me the most, like I commented on the SP SD38-2 video weeks ago, I received the YN2 prototype, it’s fantastic. Excellent review, Dan.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you like your CSX unit! ScaleTrains did a nice job on these. I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@Eastkentuckysirensandtrains]

@@DanielCortopassi they absolutely did. Glad they made the industries first accurate AC44.

[@amtrak706]

Great review, ScaleTrains did a great job on these! It seems you didn’t have any issues getting the front coupler box out. I’ve noticed that the draft gear is actually of a different design on these compared to the Dash 9s. They are taller and have a small flange on the bottom corners. On both of my CSX versions with the taller plow, the bottom corners of the coupler box caused the plow to not sit flush on the pilot as assembled by the factory, and the plow had to be removed before the coupler box could be slid out. I ended up filing down the flanges.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I've experienced the problem you described on some other models, and I came up with a similar solution. I haven't seen the CSX version of this model, so I'm not sure if it has the same plow or not. The SP plows have a squared off opening around the coupler area. On models with plows that have a more angled opening, I've sometimes had issues getting the coupler box out. Anyway, I'm glad you liked the review. Thanks for watching!

[@matts2806]

Amazing model. Just like your Scaletrains SP Dash-9, though -- I even commented this way back when you reviewed it! -- it seems like the cab side numbers are a little crooked on this one, too, especially on the engineer's side. I wonder why that happens... There are still a handful of these out and about in patched SP paint, btw -- I saw UP 6378, the former SP 311, pulling freight just a couple of weeks ago.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I did notice the numbers looked a little crooked in one shot, but I thought it might be the camera angle. I didn't see that when just looking at the model on the workbench. When I do my own decals, I'm super fussy about making sure they're straight, though to be honest I've seen some less than perfect numbering jobs on real locomotives. I haven't seen one of the ex-SP AC's in a while, but it's nice to know some are still out there decades later. Thanks for watching!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Have you done a review of Aurora HO models . Excellent Reviews . 🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@DanielCortopassi]

No, I haven't had any models from Aurora as yet. I'm glad you like the reviews. Thanks for watching!

[@tueypjr4823]

Those 2 AC44s of yours shouldn't have any problem slugging it out on your donner pass layout with that kind of draw bar pull. I guess scaletrains likes prototype accuracy so much they purposely made the AC44s better than there Dash 9 counterparts?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I don't know what ScaleTrains did to the mechanism vs. the Dash 9s. I would have expected them to just re-use the same chassis, but that doesn't explain the pulling power increase. I've reviewed a bunch of the ScaleTrains Dash 9s and they were pretty consistent in that regard. This model feels super strong, and I really did have to use some muscle to keep it still when testing it. Operationally it could be interesting, as a couple ACs could probably handle a train that would take more Dash 9s. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelcudby787]

Yes Dan. It is a common problem, with those steps. Mine came without the bottom step, on one set, Oh well.Guess we can hardly complain about the QC, cos there aint none. Also a common problem.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm starting to think that having models that are somewhat fragile is the price we pay for having models with a ton of detail. The more parts there are, the more chances there are for something to be loose or missing. I agree that quality control is an issue with models from many manufacturers. Thanks for watching!

[@epacm50]

This SP model is the best one that Scaletrains offers. This is known as the "Buckeye" model.

[@DanielCortopassi]

This is a really nice model. ScaleTrains is making some nice ones lately. Thanks for watching!

[@lucgagnon5241]

Hey Dan. Very good review again. That ScaleTrains AC engine is simply awesome. Not the kind of engine I'm use to run but at least, there are many interesting features on it like electric contacts and already weathered wheels. The fact that there was a loose part in the box annoys me a bit. This shouldn't happen on a high quality model like this. Finally, they took good care of the sunshade mounting. Looks a LOT better. Have you notice that the horn is bended a bit when doing review ? I think for the price of $299.95 USD, you got yourself a very nice engine. For the first time from many engines reviews, I'm kinda speechless ! Too bad they're not making older engines ! Should we say that they are at another level ? Keep on your good work Dan !

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. The painted wheels are a nice feature, and a real timesaver when it comes to weathering since that's a pain to do on an already finished model. I didn't notice the horn when I was handling the model. Sometimes the ultra close up shots I do reveal things that aren't that noticeable when the model is in front of me. ScaleTrains did the GP30 recently. They also announced an SP SD45X, kind of a rare bird but maybe they'll start doing some other older models. Hopefully it's a trend? Thanks for watching!

[@lucgagnon5241]

@@DanielCortopassi Thanks for answering Dan. Model trains are so sophisticated in those days. Compare to 30 years models, it's like the ugly sister turned into a princess ! I'm presently working on some Thilmany low sides pulpwood gondolas. They only come 3D printed but boy those are near to perfect models (boxcars, pulpwood gondolas, wood chips gondolas) even if they're not molded styrene railcars. 3D is another interesting feature. Like when they started making models in China. I'm still impress by your AC engine. Seems like they will all come with "keep alive" in a near future. Everything's getting better and better... Where are they gonna stop ?

[@herbertw.jr.carrier6122]

After watching this review, I'll be grabbing another Scale Trains AC44(i have 2 BNSF & a UP yellow seal) in the later SP version. I wanted to wait for Athearn's versions but it looks like they're having some trouble getting them to the states.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm glad you liked the review. I only got the SP versions, but I'm sure the other ones are nice, too. Thanks for watching!

[@Mildcat743]

I assume you'll be picking up one of the Museum Quality SD45Xs when they release?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm thinking about it. They're going to be expensive, and they're a little before my normal 1990s era, so I'm kind of on the fence. I'm sure they will be nice models, though, and it would be cool to review one. Thanks for watching!

[@firstlast-z4w]

I like the model too. I did find one grab iron missing off the front plow. Not a huge deal but should we not expect more from a three hundred dollar model?

[@DanielCortopassi]

It's always a little disappointing to have to fix things on an expensive model, no matter how minor. I think most modern manufacturers could pay a little more attention to quality control, to help make sure those kinds of things are less likely. Thanks for watching!

[@williamsquires3070]

One question: on the “DCC Ready” version, does it still come fitted with the speaker, or only the space for the enclosure?

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm not sure about ScaleTrains or this particular model. All of my ScaleTrains engines have factory installed decoders. Usually with other brands in HO scale the answer is no. Some Athearn DCC ready models have a weight screwed in place of the speaker enclosure. It's easy to remove but there is no actual speaker. I've seen a couple Kato models that have a built in enclosure, but it's up to you to supply a suitable speaker. Sorry I can't be more specific. Thanks for watching!

[@tripwire3992]

This reminds me of accurascale in the UK

[@DanielCortopassi]

I was not familiar with Accurascale, so I had to look up that company. I am not that well versed in British trains, but it looks like they're making some very nice models. Thanks for making me aware of the company and for watching!

[@martinwei5695]

i have two scaletrains es44ac , nice detail, however, they both run erratically when the tracks or the wheels are just a little dirty , but my other engines dont have this problem running on the same track, kinda disappointing, i hope these ac4400cw wont have these issues

[@DanielCortopassi]

I'm not sure about the ES44ACs, but these have capacitors which are supposed to keep the engines running if they lose contact for brief periods. I don't have a layout set up yet so I haven't had the opportunity to road test them. Thanks for watching!

[@martinwei5695]

ok thanks for your reply

[@Riogrande6400]

I have an unrelated question my new BLI ES44AC paragon 4 locomotive the sound is very staticy and choppy. Is it the speakers that's the problem or is it the sound decoder it's self.

[@DanielCortopassi]

I don't have any BLI diesels in HO, so I'm not sure how much I can help. As you mentioned, it could be an issue with the decoder, or with the speaker. If you open up the engine, you could try checking to see if the speaker wires are loose or possibly broken somewhere. If a wire gets pinched, like between the chassis and shell, it can get broken inside even if the insulation is still intact. That can result in an intermittent connection. You could also try giving the engine a good cleaning to make sure dirt isn't the problem, though if the engine is running and the lights work, then that might not be the issue. It's more work but you could also try replacing the decoder and/or speaker. Good luck with your engine and thanks for watching!

[@Riogrande6400]

@@DanielCortopassi thank you

[@Steamer96]

3:56 Oh when will model railroad manufacturers realize there is no alternative to metal stanchions and handrails?

[@DanielCortopassi]

If I could fix two things on all model diesels, they would be coupler height and having metal handrails. Sometimes the plastic handrails are okay, sometimes they're not. Even if they're not distorted like the one on this model, often the plastic stanchions are crooked. I've made new brass handrails for a few of my models for that reason. Thanks for watching!

[@Steamer96]

@@DanielCortopassi Nice to know I am in the process of replacing the stanchions on my Trix USRA Mikado. I didn't even know they were plastic until I heard some snap. So, I got precision-scale ones, and I am trying to reuse the original handrail, but it has these strange notches on it, making it hard to thread them through the stanchions.

[@traindad77]

It's time to stop calling the 1990s the "Modern Era".

[@DanielCortopassi]

Fair point, though it still seems modern to me. Was it really 30 years ago? Yikes. A lot of the AC4400CWs are still on the rails, so in that sense they are still "modern". Sorta. Thanks for watching!