Union Pacific

Within UP’s large fleet of SD70Ms, variations exist in paintwork as well as build details. Later-production units feature modified cabs and flared radiators; some recent repaints feature the American flag and “Building America” slogan.

 

UP FEATURES:

• Front pilot mounted ditch lights

• 5000 gallon fuel tank

• Front EMD low snowplow

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #3971 “Replacement” equipment doors under cab (lighter yellow), K3LA horn

• #3973 “Replacement” equipment doors under cab (lighter yellow), K3LA horn, PTC antennas

• #4354 Flat radiators, non-standard K5LA horn, PTC Antennas, repainted with flag and “Building America” slogan

 

Union Pacific

Union Pacific had by far the largest fleet of SD70Ms, eventually acquiring 1,452 of the locomotives. As some of these units approach almost 25 years in service, time and the elements have taken their toll on the paintwork.

 

UP FEATURES:

• Flat radiators

• Front round-top ditch lights

• Standard sunshades

• Standard bell

• PTC antennas

• K3LA horn

• Freight-style brake wheel

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #4090 “Replacement” equipment doors under cab (lighter yellow), “replacement” door under right side radiator section with partial “Building America” lettering, “replacement” 1st radiator fan, slightly-faded paintwork

• #4293 “Peeling” paint on top of cab and carbody, slightly-faded paintwork

 

RJ Corman

RJ Corman Railroad operates 19 short line railroads covering 1350 miles of track in 11 states. RJ Corman acquired a group of former NS SD70M units in 2023.

 

RJCC FEATURES:

• Flared 4-panel radiators

• PTC antennas

• K5LA horn

• Front and rear ditch lights (alternate with horn activation on DCC/sound version)

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #1973 50th anniversary paint scheme

• #2023 50th anniversary paint scheme

• #2645 Standard paint scheme, large cab side numbers

• #2648 Standard paint scheme, small sab side numbers

 

Western Pacific

The Western Pacific is a beloved fallen flag road, well-known for its rugged route and for hosting the famed “California Zephyr” passenger train. Although the WP ceased to exist as a standalone entity in 1982, with these SD70M units, the “Feather River Route” can still exist in modern times on your model pike.

(Six axle locos on the WP? In its time, the WP was an exclusive user of 4-axle power; however, 6-axle power was used on run-through trains over the WP without incident, so these units will be right at home - especially with their radial trucks.)

 

WP FEATURES:

• Flat radiators

• Front round-top ditch lights

• Freight-style brake wheel

• M-5 Horn

• Standard sunshades

• Standard bell

 

PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:

Continuing upon the successful SD60-series, in 1992 EMD debuted the next step in locomotive evolution with the SD70-series. While outwardly similar at first glance to the SD60M, the D.C.-drive SD70M featured several external design refinements from the predecessor model. Battery boxes were relocated to the left-hand side walkway immediately behind the cab, a large, boxy forward traction motor blower housing replaced the angular version used on SD60s, the raised walkway duct on the left hand walkway was eliminated, and an intake for the rear traction motor blower on the left hand side of the carbody, directly under the rear radiator intake grill, was added.

Internally, the SD70 boasted improvements as well; a 16-710GB prime mover, rated at 4,000hp, was coupled to a new alternator design, the AR20. New D70TR traction motors were standard, and controlling all of this power and locomotive function was EMD’s new EM2000 microprocessor, which boasted more memory, twice the processing speed, and improved locomotive self-diagnostic capabilities compared to the processor suite used in the SD60. Even more revolutionary was the inclusion of EMD’s patented “Radial” truck design, the HTC-R. This design, which made its debut under EMD Demo SD60 #3, replaced the venerable HT-C truck, and is unique in its ability to shift, or “steer”, the wheelsets laterally through curves, resulting in greatly reduced wheelset and track wear, and coupled with the new D70TR traction motors and EM2000 microprocessor, greatly improved adhesion.

Continuing with previous practice, EMD built a set of Demonstrator SD70Ms, EMD 7000-7002, all equipped with the North American safety-cab (hence the “M” in their model designation), and decked out in an attractive gray, silver, and burgundy paint scheme. These units traveled all over North America, showing off the latest technology from EMD. Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad requested a 4300 horsepower version resulting in the SD75M. As production continued, EMD incorporated their new “Whisper Cab” design resulting in the SD75I. The updated cab SD75I was purchased by Santa Fe successor Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Canadian National, and the Ontario Northland.

 

SD70 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers

• MU stands

• Lift rings

• Walkway tread

• Flexible Trainline and MU hoses

• Windshield wipers

• Wire grab irons

• Sanding lines

• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes

• Speed recorder unless noted

• EMD HTCR trucks, early with hidden bearings, or late with exposed bearings per prototype

• See-through cab windows and full cab interior

• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance

• Body-mounted McHenry scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible

• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector

• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more

• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes

• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain

• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation

• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow

• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track

• LED lighting for realistic appearance

• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power

• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage

• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound

• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode

• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

• Precision slow speed control

• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

• CV chart included in the box

 

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment

• Faded base colors matched to the prototype

• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

 

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, protofreelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

 

Order Due Date: April 26, 2024

Anticipated Delivery Date: September 2025

Looking for more Athearn SD-70 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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