According to trainorders.com, MRL is testing SD70MACs for possible helper service, though they already have a dozen SD70ACes. The borrowed SD70MACs are from BNSF. MRL probably wants to replace their SD45/45-2s. MRL will likely have a hard time getting brand new SD70MACs with the tightening emissions regulations, even though Alaska RR got 4 Tier-1 SD70MACs in 2007. MRL would probably have to order additional SD70ACes if they want brand new power, though a year-or-so ago I heard BNSF may retire their former BN-9400-9700 series SD70MACs in 2010/2011. Maybe MRL will pick up some SD70MACs from BNSF when their lease expires.
I really have not followed the recent developments in locomotives, but isn’t the SD70ACe the successor to the SD70MAC? Perhaps MRL is doing the testing figuring they can get a good deal on some used power right now.
A search of the trainorders.com website yielded no such discussion on MRL testing SD70MAC’s.
If MRL chose to order new power they could choose to order the SD70MAC-T1 model found on CSX and Alaska RR as they fall under a different category as far as emissions standards are concerned. They had this option as well when they placed the order for 16 SD70ACe’s but the desire was to order what was the current production model being offered, in addition to having specifically tested the SD70ACe model in the form of 5 CSX SD70ACe’s.
Bryan Jones
I think he saw that on the Trainorders homepage labeled “Discussions from the Past”, hence it’s an old discussion predating MRL’s acquisition of the SD70ACes.