PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

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. Having been built only in the mid-1990s, you can still find the entire fleet of SD75Ms and SD75Is in regular service today.

 

SD70 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Lift rings

• Factory installed wire grab irons

• Dual sanding lines

• Windshield wipers

• Anti-glare panel painted on the nose

• Standard or Freight-style brake wheel

• See-through radiator fans

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

• MU receptacles and cables per prototype

• Front / rear trainline and MU hoses with silver ends

• Coupler cut levers with loops per prototype

• Sunshades and sunshade tracks per prototype

• Roof details such as antennas, air conditioners, beacons, and conduits per prototype

• Pilot face spare knuckles and brackets per prototype

• Several types of fuel tanks, all featuring separate gauges, sight glasses, and breather piping

• Detailed and painted cab interior with control stand, display screens, detailed crew seats

• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance

• Underframe mounted bell- regular or electronic

• Low mount stepwell lights (non-operating)

• 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

• McHenry lower-shelf scale knuckle spring couplers

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

• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes

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

• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage

• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run

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

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound

• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality

• 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

 

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, proto-freelancing, 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?”

  

Union Pacific - We Are ONE

Omaha, Neb., June 17, 2021: Union Pacific today announced a “We Are One” summer tour that features a new commemorative locomotive dedicated to diversity and togetherness. The brightly colored locomotive will start its 2021 journey in Houston, Texas, on Juneteenth, the holiday that celebrates freedom and marks the end of slavery in the U.S.

UP No. 1979 is only Union Pacific’s 18th commemorative locomotive. It honors the company’s nine Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the work they do supporting diversity, inclusion and equality. The unit commemorates the year Union Pacific’s first ERG - the Black Employee Network - was established in 1979.

“Union Pacific Announces DEI Giving Goals and ‘We Are One’ Tour.” UP, https://www.up.com/media/releases/210617-dei-giving-goals.htm. 

 

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Union Pacific has designed UP No. 1979 to pay tribute to its nine Employee Resource Groups (ERG) supporting diversity and inclusion.

The Class I railroad’s Corporate Communications department came up with the scheme for the commemorative locomotive—named for the year UP’s first ERG, the Black Employee Network (BEN), was established—and the Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., prepared, painted and added decals to it.

 

Each ERG is represented along the sides:

• Asian Employee Resource Organization (AERO)
• BEN
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Employee Network (BRIDGES)
• Council of Native American Heritage (CONAH)
• Educate. Advance. Support. Encourage. (EASE)
• A Women’s Initiative: Lead. Educate. Achieve. Develop. (LEAD)
• Latino Employee Network (LEN)
• Connecting Employees. Uniting Communities. Emerging Professionals. (UP TIES)
• Veterans and Employees Continuing to Serve (UP VETS).

 

UP leadership and a BEN field chapter will officially unveil the locomotive in Houston, Tex., in honor of Juneteenth (June 19)—the holiday that marks the end of slavery in the United States in 1865 and that originated in Galveston, Tex.—before it travels this fall to the ONE ERG Conference in Omaha (Sept. 1-2).

“Juneteenth is a day of reflection to appreciate, acknowledge and honor the experience of others who came before us,” said Amy Bang, UP’s Senior Manager-Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Resources. “Owning our past is a reminder that our work to reach equity is not done. We should use the holiday as an opportunity to come together, celebrating our shared humanity and community.”

 

OMAHA — Union Pacific is releasing a specially painted SD70M to honor its Employee Resource Groups. Locomotive 1979 was painted at the Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., and will be traveling the UP system this summer ahead of an Employee Resource Group conference in Omaha on September 1 and 2. 

There are nine different Employee Resource Groups dedicated to supporting diversity within the company. Among the groups represented include veterans, people with disabilities, young professionals, women, Native Americans, Asians, Latinos, and LGBT employees. The Black Employee Network was the first group organized in 1979. In honor of that, the railroad picked SD70M 1979 to be painted in the commemorative scheme. The locomotive features a rainbow of colors and has the words “We Are One” written on the side. 

The locomotive will make its debut in Houston on Juneteenth, the holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States.

“Juneteenth is a day of reflection to appreciate, acknowledge and honor the experience of others that came before us,” said Amy Bang, senior manager-Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Resources. “Owning our past is a reminder that our work to reach equity is not done. We should use the holiday as an opportunity to come together, celebrating our shared humanity and community.”

While UP has released a number of commemorative units over the years — from veterans to the Boy Scouts — it has never released one dedicated to the Employee Resource Groups. 

 

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