Do the SD-70M’s that Union Pacific has bought over the last few years have the same trucks as the SD-70MAC. I currently have 6 Athearn SD-70M’s in the UP Schemes and the trucks on the Athearn units are not the same as the ones I have seen on the UP units in my area. If the trucks on the UP SD-70M’s are the same as the 70 MACs then I assume it would be just a truck swap?
The sideframes on the Athearn SD70M’s modeled the first phase truck which were delivered on the SP SD70M’s, but not the Union Pacific. The SD70mac Athearn trucks are more correct as they have the later shock mounted correctly and will work on the SD70M’s just fine.
A second option is to purchase the Train Station side frames if they are still available. They are highly detailed and correct for the Union Pacific models.
It is an easy swap to take the MAC trucks and put them under the M chassis. I have done several this way – easier than assembling the TSP kits, and I think they look better too. Of course, I only have one Uncle Pete model – a flare SD70M in HO. I am a proud BeaNSniFfer! (BNSF to those in Rio Linda).
We should be boycotting the BORG (Big Orange Railroad Giant).
Their intrusion into the model railroad manufacturer’s world could be crushing.