Modern Locomotive Guide

Locomotive: SD70 Series - M,I,MAC,M-2,ACe

Manufacturer: ElectroMotive Diesel

Horsepower Rating: 4000 - 4300 Hp

Prime Mover: 16 Cylinder 710, Generation 3

Weight: 207.5 Imperial Tons (Basic Locomotive)

Weight Distribution: 6-axle (C-C), 34.5 Tons per axle, HTC and HTC-R Trucks

Length: 72'9"

Manufacture Dates: 1992 - Present

Number of Units: 4,086? - Still in Production

Visual Identification: There about six different flavors of SD70, which has caused some debate among railfans as to whether EMD should have classified later versions of this model as something else.

The first version, the 4,000Hp SD70, looks similar to an SD60. It has a regular type cab, and really nothing spectacular that would differentiate it from the earlier model.

The second "version" was the SD70M. Even it has several sub versions; a wide cab like the ones found on the SD60M, a wide cab with three front windows, and a wide cab with two windows and flared radiators.

The third "version" was the SD70I. The only diffrentiation between it and the SD70M was the isolated "whisper" cab. This cab was insullated from the rest of the locomotive frame by a rubber gasket. This was supposed is reduce noise and vibration in the crew compartment.

Fourth and fifth generation SD70's are the SD70MAC, and the SD70ACe. Both are AC traction locomotives. The MAC started out as a 4,000Hp locomotive, but the last few units were built with 4,300Hp engines and flared radiators. The ACe is an updated version of the MAC that conforms to EPA pollution standards. It is more angular in the nose than previous crew-cab locomotives, and the radiator section is moved forward towards the prime-mover, leaving a short high-hood at the rear of the locomotive.

The latest version (and probablly last for this line of locomotives) is the SD70M-2. It is the DC version of the SD70ACe.

Trivials:- The SD70MAC and ACe were the last locomotives produced by General Motors before selling the Electromotive Division off to a private equity group.

SD70 units featured on this website:

Photos -

9143
Green 'n' Cream at Talley
Motely Group
Junta
Kennesaw
Martin-Marietta, South
Train Chase at Tilton
4702
Milepost 392
High Horses
North Resaca
Northbound at Lindale
Talley
2719
Locomotion
Heavy Metal
Maintenence
Man in the Machine
4366
Stack Train at Dalton Yard
Union Pacific at Abutment
Union Pacific at Resaca
8358
Hermitage Road
We Deliver
Into the Sun

Video -

BNSF at Hall
Resaca Pacer