In another forum someone posted that CSX unit no 4833 was an SD70ACe. I am just trying to verify it. I thought only KCS had the EMD SD70ACe's. Any one know? Here is a link to the post. http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15608 Thanks.
I believe the SD70ACe's start in the 4800 series; the SD70AC's (latest batches) were in the 4700 series, but I don't think filled that number block. I saw # 4747 last week and it looked pretty new. Harold
I thought CSX had ordered units that weren't ACes, but weren't Macs either sort of an in between model.
Ah, it looks like the 4700s were the half breeds. Incident;y, KCS isn't the only other company checking these out, I believe either UP or BNSF has some demonstrators as well.
The 700 series is the original 70macs, 800 series is the ex-Conrail 80macs. Th3 4700 series are the new emission friendly 70macs with flared radiators (not nearly as flared as on 80macs). I believe they are up to 4762. I believe the 4800 series is going to go the the 70ACe. There have been a couple of painted in the CSX scheme but I don't know if they have officially been delivered. I have also heard a rumbling that EMD is having problems with some of the newer 70macs (4700 series). I don't what is up with that. Supposedly the FRA is investigating and some of them are not allowed to be crewed. This could be anything from bad toilets to major malfunctions.
Thanks for the info everyone. On a somewhat related note, I'm curious to know if CSX and GE have had a falling out? For a good many years CSX seemed to be GE's best customer. Jimmy
I found info that says CSX has ordered, with some being delivered, 75 EMD SD 70's. Numbers 4776-4830 (55) are/will be 70MACs, and numbers 4831-4850 (20) are/will be 70ACe's. I had heard a rumor, quite a while back, that CSX, for some reason was going to oder 70 MACs with standard brake and throttle controls. Maybe they did, and this is why they are considered hybrids. I have also heard rumors that CSX has not been happy with higher maintainance costs on the GE AC units. Of course, don't know if this is fact or not. Ed
Welcome Jimmy! Good question,,,, I don't know if GE and CSX had a falling out, but I'd have to say that they probably weren't really happy with their CW60AC's Harold
I don't think GE has been able to keep up with demand. I know BNSF is looking at the ACes as well And they are also looking at the GEVOs from GE.