With the break up of Conrail, the 30 SD80MACs went to NS and CSX. NS got 17 units (7200-7216) and CSX got 13 units (800-812). N scalers wishing to repaint their SD80MACs into the new paint scheme can see proto photos here: NS7213 http://gelwood.railfan.net/other/ns/ns7213ars.jpg ************** CSX801 http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/SD80AC/0801CSX-bc.jpg ************** Additional photos (mostly still in CR paint but with new CSX or NS cab numbers) are available here CSX units http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/html/SD80AC.html **** NS units http://www.dnaco.net/~gelwood/new04-10mar.html Scroll down to March 07 and click on the highlighted NS 72XX-series photos eNjoy Don B
Good question There are now 4 legitimate paint schemes for this loco, and Kato has only offered one of them (plus undecorated). NS and CSX are open, along with EMD 8000-8001, the two demonstrator units. From other research, CR was going to order many more of these units, but along came NS/CSX and split CR between them. The development of the SD90 has pushed the SD80 into an "also ran" category. No further orders are pending. The last new loco price I recall (and that was awhile back on the EMD GP-60) was US $1.3 million. I am guessing the SD90's cost new at least US $2 million if not more. This is the second CR-only modern diesel. I think the other one was the GE C32-8. eNjoy Don B
It's kinda funny though, I never hear about any problems with the SD80's what so ever, yet only one road had them. You would think more companys would by into this locomotive. Another thing I was thinking about it that GE doesn't have an SD80 counterpart!? They have the AC4400CW (which EMD matched with the SD70MAC give or take a few horsepower) and then GE went straight to the AC6000CW (which EMD matched with the SD90MAC-H). In other words, the SD80 is in it's own horsepower catagory. I have also heard that the SD90/43MAC's that UP has are some of the most reliable and best to ride in on the UP roster and the bad things come with the H engine. If I were at UP, I would order SD80MAC's, as they are the same design (give or take a few minor arrangements) as the SD90/43 and they have 200 more HP. My whole response was off topic and I apologize, I am just to full of questions. [ 24 June 2001: Message edited by: Craig Martyn ]
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: It's kinda funny though, I never hear about any problems with the SD80's what so ever, yet only one road had them. You would think more companys would by into this locomotive. Another thing I was thinking about it that GE doesn't have an SD80 counterpart!? They have the AC4400CW (which EMD matched with the SD70MAC give or take a few horsepower) and then GE went straight to the AC6000CW (which EMD matched with the SD90MAC-H). In other words, the SD80 is in it's own horsepower catagory. I have also heard that the SD90/43MAC's that UP has are some of the most reliable and best to ride in on the UP roster and the bad things come with the H engine. If I were at UP, I would order SD80MAC's, as they are the same design (give or take a few minor arrangements) as the SD90/43 and they have 200 more HP. My whole response was off topic and I apologize, I am just to full of questions. [ 24 June 2001: Message edited by: Craig Martyn ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think the reasons no one else seems to be showing interest in the SD80MAC is because of, 1.), It has a 20 cylinder prime mover, which has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many roads, and 2.), the SD80MAC was superseded in the EMD catalog by the SD90MAC-H, and as we all know, the railroads are always looking for more h-p! As for GE not having a SD80MAC equivalent, that's a question best left to GE. I'd guess they feel they have a good enough product with their AC4400 and AC6000. As for reliabilty, I've heard the SD90/43MAC's are fairly reliable, while their H-engined cousins are at the bottom of the list. Most reliable units on the UP, btw, are their recently overhauled SD40-2s. To get back on topic, Kato undoubtedly realizes the different schemes that can be done on the SD80 and 90 series, and probably wants to spread them out over several runs.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Craig Martyn: It's kinda funny though, I never hear about any problems with the SD80's what so ever, yet only one road had them. You would think more companys would by into this locomotive. Another thing I was thinking about it that GE doesn't have an SD80 counterpart!? They have the AC4400CW (which EMD matched with the SD70MAC give or take a few horsepower) and then GE went straight to the AC6000CW (which EMD matched with the SD90MAC-H). In other words, the SD80 is in it's own horsepower catagory. I have also heard that the SD90/43MAC's that UP has are some of the most reliable and best to ride in on the UP roster and the bad things come with the H engine. If I were at UP, I would order SD80MAC's, as they are the same design (give or take a few minor arrangements) as the SD90/43 and they have 200 more HP. My whole response was off topic and I apologize, I am just to full of questions. [ 24 June 2001: Message edited by: Craig Martyn ]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> An SD80MAC has 5500 hp, SD90/43MAC has 4300 hp. The SD70MAC was out before the C44AC. The SD75 has a closer hp rating to the C44AC at 4300 hp. The SD70 series was EMD's answer to the GE C40-8.
