- BNSF
Executive Scheme
As noted above in the Prototype History, the SD70MAC grew
out of the EMD/BN SD60MAC demonstrators. The first SD70MAC
was delivered to the BN in 1993 and established a standard
locomotive type that remains a favorite on BNSF today. Even
after the BN+ATSF=BNSF merger, the SD70MAC continued to be
painted in the classy "Executive" scheme. BNSF #9837,
manufactured in March, 1997, was the final new locomotive
to be painted in the BN Executive scheme.
- BNSF
Heritage II Scheme
The attractive BNSF Heritage II Scheme, also known as the
"Premium Heritage Scheme," evolved from a special
paint job applied to SD60M #9297. This locomotive was painted
in a slightly different scheme on both sides, and based on
employee input, the Heritage II Scheme was developed! The
original Heritage I scheme is still applied to standard cab
locomotives, however all wide cab locomotives now receive
the Heritage II Scheme when repainted. Both the Heritage I
and Heritage II Schemes are based on colors and logos from
BNSF predecessor railroads.
- Conrail
An astute modeler will note that the road numbers Conrail
assigned to their SD70MAC locomotives (4130-4144) fall neatly
in line behind the road numbers assigned to their previously
delivered SD80MACs (4100-4129). Conrail had placed an order
with EMD for additional SD80MAC locomotives. But, then the
NS & CSX merger/split with Conrail occured and the two
new owners divided all locomotives right down the middle.
Because this was a pending order, and CSX and NS were now
in control, they were able to make order modifications. According
to the Conrail
Cyclopedia, Norfolk Southern converted their allotment
of the second SD80MAC order into standard cab SD70 locomotives,
while CSX converted their order into wide cab SD70MAC locomotives.
Delivered in Conrail paint, these locomotives were built to
the specifications of their future owners (note no red warning
lights on CR SD70MACs). These were Conrail's final locomotives.
- CSX
On the CSX, the hard-working SD70MAC (known by the CSX as
the SD70AC) is assigned to the Cumberland Coal Division. Delivered
in 1997, CSX's original 75 locomotives were supplemented with
an additional 15 from the Conrail merger. Prototype photos
of CSX SD70MAC locomotives are available from the CSX
Photo Archives.
- Alaska
Railroad
When the Alaska Railroad ordered their SD70MAC locomotives
for use on passenger and freight service, they were essentially
an "add-on" to a pending BNSF order. In fact, the
new Alaska Railroad paint scheme, which debuted on the SD70MAC,
is based on the BN/BNSF Executive scheme! John Combs has put
together an excellent website
on Alaska Railroad history. Specific SD70MAC pages are here
and here.
The ARR SD70MACs were shipped by rail from Altoona, PA, through
UP's Proviso Yard in Chicago, and all the way out to Seattle,
WA for transfer to ship so they could be delivered to Alaska.
During their trip across the lower 48 states, railfans flocked
to the rails to catch a glimpse of ARR's newest power.
- TFM
(Kansas City Southern Affiliate)
Officially known as Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana,
TFM assumed control of Mexico's Northeast Railway in June
of 1997. It was the first railway to be privatized under Mexico's
National Development Plan. TFM operates the primary rail route
in northern Mexico linking Mexico City with Laredo, Texas,
where over 50 percent of US-Mexico trade crosses the border.
Union Pacific and BNSF both interchange with TFM in Laredo,
Texas (BNSF by way of trackage right over another NAFTA railroad,
the Texas-Mexican Railway). A joint venture of Transportacion
Maritima Mexicana (TMM) and KCS with the Mexican government,
TFM is providing a critical link in Kansas City Southern's
NAFTA Railway. The locomotives wear the same paint scheme
as other KCS family railroads and are capable of operating
on any NAFTA Railway line. Additional information about TFM
can be found on the TFM
corporate website.
- Burlington Northern
As
noted above in the Prototype History, the SD70MAC grew out
of the EMD/BN SD60MAC demonstrators. The first SD70MAC was
delivered to the BN in 1993 and established a standard locomotive
type that remains a favorite on BNSF today. As the last new
locomotives purchased by Burlington Northern, the SD70MAC
has a special place in US Railroad History.
- BNSF Merger
Scheme
When the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe railroads announced
that they would be merging, a special one-of-a-kind locomotive
was released from the paint shop. This very special locomotive
commemorated the merger in a unique way: the famous Santa
Fe "Warbonnet" styling was painted using the attractive
Burlington Northern "Executive" colors. The locomotive
was a rolling "paint scheme merger!" As the only
SD70MAC to ever wear a "Warbonnet" paint scheme,
Kato is pleased to offer the locomotive in model form.
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