SD70ACe EMD hood unit Profile and Models

SD70ACe EMD hood unit

UP 8774 at Olathe, Kansas in October 2019. ©Tyler Silvest

The EMD SD70 is a series of diesel-electric locomotives produced by the US company Electro-Motive Diesel in response to the GE Dash 9-44CW. Production commenced in late 1992. The SD70ACe is the successor to the SD70MAC with design changes to comply with emission standards. The engine fires with 15% lower internal pressure to improve emissions and features fewer internal components in the inverter. The SD70ACe is equipped with EMD's 16-710-G3C-T2 prime mover, rated at 4,300 horsepower (3,200 kW); later Tier 3 models are rated at 4,500 horsepower (3,400 kW), and have a thermal efficiency of almost 36%. Early models featured a bad cab design which was noticed first on CSX as crews reported annoying disturbances such as prime mover noises, traction motors and more. The cab was also known for rattling, leading to the nickname "Thundercabs". As a result, these units are also not approved for leading trains.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Diesel-Electric

Builder

Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD)

Build Dates

2004 to Present

Total Built

2,091

Tractive Effort

191,000 lbf

Power Output

4,300 to 4,500 hp

Top Speed

70mph

Wheel Configuration

Co-Co

Operated By

Arkansas & Missouri Railroad
BHP
BNSF
Canadian National
Cartier Railway
CSX
EMD Leasing
Ferromex
Fortescue Metals Group
Kansas City Southern
Luminant
Montana Rail Link
Norfolk Southern
Northshore Mining
Progress Rail Leasing
Quebec North Shore & Labrador
Tacoma Rail
Union Pacific
Yakutian Railways

Main Duties

Heavy Freight

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

All in service