Hmmm... maybe they are going to order an extra 100+ SD70ACe's! They are to be numbered below 8500, right? Harold
Jim, thanks for keeping us posted!!!!! So far that's only 22 units. Do ya think they are gonna renumber the rest??? And why such a higher number slot?? Any rumors?? More SD70ACes or maybe SD70M-2s(or whatever you call them)?? Got my interest peaked, can ya tell.
The 9800-series is the series of units slated for retirement, correct? That sure is a high number series... So this unit will be an 8900 soon?
That batch has the old style cab. EMD calls them SD90MAC-H The other batch,22-61 has the improved safety cab. EMD calle them SD90MAC II. Hint, I think the lease is about up. They built the last ones in Jan. 1999. Most units that go to the 8900 slot have a very short UP life.
Ok, from what I've gathered elsewhere, these are to be the only ones renumbered and are up for retirement soon as the lease will end soon. I just don't get why UP would bother renumbering them unless they need the slots. It doesn't appear they do yet so if these are so close to being retired, leave them be and retire them as they are.
Why the heck would they retire such a young unit? Are the H-series prime movers that unreliable and troublesome?
I don't see them being retired just yet, they solved the computer probles some time ago, and they seem to be fine now. I had one on a hauler a while back, and it did everything it was told with no backtalk. Nice. As for the slots, I believe they are makiing room for more new stuff next year....even the new SD70's are looking ragged these days....
Q: What would Jerry do if he walked in to work one sunny afternoon and found a set of these beast waiting for him??? I think he'd fall on his knees and thank the RR Gods above for blessings recieved.... If they DO get rid of them soon after the lease goes sour, it could happen......
Funny that these units, with double the HP rating, and a third of the age; are being released from the roster before the SD40-2's are... As for ragged SD70's, are you speaking of cosmetically, or mechanically?
Ahhh, after reading elsewhere once again, think I got it backwords. The units to be renumbered will be kept. The rest will be retired as leases come up. At least thats the way it sounds.
I caught an SD40-2 (UP) on a NS freight yesterday... first time I have seen anything UP other than an SD70 or GE Harold
