The G22 Series was one of the first models to be commonly constructed outside of the United States and to have its own separate designation based on traction motors/gauge, generator, etc.

The G22W model found success among several buyers and were also built in different countries to suit the customers' needs.

Completely redesigned to meet the Scandinavian weather conditions, these units resembled a G22W only by their internal electrical and mechanical equipment.

The Yugoslav locomotives were equipped with a steam generator located in the high short hood.

Both the Yugoslav Railways and Taiwan Railroad Administration purchased their G22Us with a unique A-1-A running gear configuration.

This did not alter the models designation as the centre axles were not powered nor were A-1-A trucks widely produced at the time.

Compared to the base model G22, the G22W-2 was identified by a -2 suffix to indicate the use of Dash-2 modular electronics (which included the use of the AC alternator used on the G22W-AC).