Prototype Information -

The General Motors Locomotive Group (GMLG) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SD70MAC is one of the most common locomotives plying the rails today. Originally introduced in late 1993 with an order for the Burlington Northern, the production now totals over 900 units, exceeding the combined production of the SD80MAC and SD90MAC locomotives by over 300 units.

Designed to be a solid locomotive to upgrade the Burlington Northern fleet, the SD70MAC has its origins in the SD60MAC design demonstrated on the BN.

The SD70MAC is quite popular in today’s railroading, being heavily used in coal train service by some of today’s best-known Class I American railroads. We have included all of the railroads currently using this version of the locomotive in our production and we do intend to follow this production later on with other versions of the SD70MAC.

Model Features -

The models will feature traditional Kato craftsmanship and detail, white LED directional headlights, lighted ditch lights, lighted printed numberboards, factory-installed DCC socket, and Kato knuckle couplers. These models will be equipped with the powerful Kato motor with dual brass flywheels and 42" scale blackened metal wheels in trucks that replicate the prototype’s HTCR Phase II trucks (all-wheel electrical pick-up). Some detail parts will require hobbyist installation.

Roadname Information -

BNSF Executive Scheme As noted above in the Prototype History, the SD70MAC grew out of the EMD/BN SD60MAC demonstrators. The first SD70MAC was delivered to the BN in 1993 and established a standard locomotive type that remains a favorite on BNSF today. Even after the BN+ATSF=BNSF merger, the SD70MAC continued to be painted in the classy "Executive" scheme. BNSF #9837, manufactured in March, 1997, was the final new locomotive to be painted in the BN Executive scheme.

BNSF Heritage II Scheme The attractive BNSF Heritage II Scheme, also known as the "Premium Heritage Scheme," evolved from a special paint job applied to SD60M #9297. (Photos are available from The BNSF Photo Archive and BNSFpix.com.) This locomotive was painted in a slightly different scheme on both sides, and based on employee input, the Heritage II Scheme was developed! The original Heritage I scheme is still applied to standard cab locomotives, as shown on our previously produced SD40-2 Snoot Nose, however all wide cab locomotives now receive the Heritage II Scheme when repainted. Both the Heritage I and Heritage II Schemes are based on colors and logos from BNSF predecessor railroads.

Conrail An astute modeler will note that the road numbers Conrail assigned to their SD70MAC locomotives (4130-4144) fall neatly in line behind the road numbers assigned to their previously delivered SD80MACs (4100-4129). Conrail had placed an order with EMD for additional SD80MAC locomotives. But, then the NS & CSX merger/split with Conrail occured and the two new owners divided all locomotives right down the middle. Because this was a pending order, and CSX and NS were now in control, they were able to make order modifications. According to the Conrail Cyclopedia. Norfolk Southern converted their allotment of the second SD80MAC order into standard cab SD70 locomotives, while CSX converted their order into wide cab SD70MAC locomotives. Delivered in Conrail paint, these locomotives were built to the specifications of their future owners (note no red warning lights on CR SD70MACs). These were Conrail’s final locomotives.

CSX On the CSX, the hard-working SD70MAC (known by the CSX as the SD70AC) is assigned to the Cumberland Coal Division. Delivered in 1997, CSX’s original 75 locomotives were supplemented with an additional 15 from the Conrail merger. Prototype photos of CSX SD70MAC locomotives are available from the CSX Photo Archives.