EMD SD80MAC and SD90MAC series official thread

[GOLDEN-ARM]

(Methinks he did not see the "humor" in my comment........)

[njtransitrookie]

Whats the skinny on the SD-90 ? Was this a good locomotive ? Is it still built? How many HP. did it have ? Aside from UP and CP Who bought this model?

[U-Haul]

The last SD90 series was built in 2001 if I rememeber correctly. The SD90MAC had 4,300HP, the SD90MAC-H and the SD90MAC-H2 Had 6,300HP. An article in an older TRAINS magazine had these two quotes "Have we reached the end of the horsepower race?" and this one about its complexity "You have computers talking to computers." CEFX bought SD90MACs rated at 4,300HP, so did UP and CP The Appalachian & Ohio purchased three SD90MACs from CEFX . No other railroad bought the H engine locomotives new, but EMLX has many SD90MAC-H and SD90MAC-H2s that Union Pacific traded in. The SD90 series was not one of EMDs best creations. After all, a SD40-2, SD50, and SD70MAC can be used for switching duites in a pinch, but the SD90 has too much horsepower and is too long.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=33689
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=154228
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=133884
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... ?id=308120
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=150682
HOPE THIS HELPS

[njtransitrookie]

Thanx ! What else could I ask for.

[Leo_Ames]

The SD90/43MAC is the 4300hp version with a 710 engine. The SD90MAC is the designation for the 6000hp (not 6300hp unless they were rerated once in service) h engine locomotive, while occasionally being called SD90MAC-H. As for later 90MAC's, I don't believe they're differentiated in anyway as far as names go.

China is buying what are basically SD90MAC's currently.

[GOLDEN-ARM]

I ran/run both versions. The 6,ooo HP version is a pulling brute. With three of them, you have a very real possibility of pulling your train into pieces, at low speed/high throttle applications. Not sure why UP returned the 6,000 HP version, and they are now leased, so they are still in service. I "heard" that one of these equals seven Dash-9's!!!! Regards

[njtransitrookie]

Well let me ask this question. Can EMD and it's new owners afford to offer essentially one type of locomotive SD-70 Mac and the ACE. It would seem to me now would be a nice time to get back into the switcher market with other companies like MPI. It seems to me that the market might be right to produce an efficient hi adhesion switcher. By the way, who actually produces the GP-20 switcher on the market. It does contain an EMD engine, but what about traction motors ?

[Steve F45]

Why not create new GP series loco's?

[MEC407]

By the way, who actually produces the GP-20 switcher on the market. It does contain an EMD engine, but what about traction motors ?

The GP20D you are referring to does not contain an EMD engine -- it's a Caterpillar.

The loco itself is built by MPI and marketed jointly by MPI and EMD. The trucks and traction motors are EMD.

[MEC407]

Why not create new GP series loco's?

Because none of the Class I railroads need any at this point in time, and the smaller railroads wouldn't be able to afford them.

[UPRR engineer]

I get to switch out plants with SD 90's, those GE 7000's are alot better. Those SD 90's sound like a space shuttle launch when you rake the throttle.

[SooLineRob]

CP 9300-9303, 6000 HP models... 50% of the fleet failed due to catastrophic crankshaft failure. CP 9100's, 4300 HP models, kept close to home shop Winnepeg, MB account high road failure rate, in particular traction motor faults/failures that cause the entire truck to go off line (all 3 axles) 50% loss of power and 100% loss of Dynamic Brake. GE's AC4400's by comparison lose only the faulty traction motor (1 axle) allowing the unit to operate normally in power and Dynamic Brake, at a reduced rate of 16% of maximum. So as long as a train's tonnage is not at max rating or higher, a GE traction motor failure won't cripple a train whereas a train with an SD90 TM failure will be in trouble, requiring another locomotive, a siding to park the train while another unit is sent out, and most likely, a recrew.

Unofficial word is CP, a long time EMD customer (SD60's, SD40's, & GP38's), will not buy another EMD product because of the 90's poor record. GE's reliability and customer support have blown away EMD's, and the AC4400 is now the backbone of CP's locomotive fleet. The AC4400 model is the first GE locomotive CP has ever had experience with (except for a token of U boats for the SOO Line 30 years ago), they've proven themselves, and since AC traction is the way to go, EMD is, unfortunately for the new owners ..." OUTTA THERE!!!"

[MEC407]

I always thought EMD was shooting itself in the foot by having a system in which one failed traction motor disables the entire truck. Maybe (hopefully!) they'll change that in the future.

[UPRR engineer]

I ran/run both versions. The 6,ooo HP version is a pulling brute. With three of them, you have a very real possibility of pulling your train into pieces, at low speed/high throttle applications. Not sure why UP returned the 6,000 HP version, and they are now leased, so they are still in service. I "heard" that one of these equals seven Dash-9's!!!! Regards

Did you run them before they got shopped because of the rough ride? Those true 8500's werent around here long before that happened.

I dont like running the SD 90's, ya gotta rap-her-up too much like you do on a GP, then it trys to bounce ya out of the seat. At speed they aint that bad. Still pretty mad when that one tryed to snap my neck as i was digging around in my grip for a Mountain Dew. SD 70AC's, better everything.

[UPRR engineer]

Another problem that the SD 90's have now is the electronic air brake system failing.