Hi all!!
Just a quick question, does anybody out there know when ‘Exactly’ Union Pacific took delivery of their SD90/43MAC’s?
Thanks.
terrythomson2001@yahoo.com.au
I’m a UP engineer and they took delivery from October '95 to December '99. UPTRAIN
Hi there UP Engineer!
Thank you for the information…I thought that they started to take delivery of them in 1995. I was just checking!!
Thanks again!!
Forgive me if I seem ignorant, but I have not really paid much attention to the newer locomotives since around the 1980’s. What is the difference between a regular SD-90. and a SD90-43?
I’ll confess right now, lately I have been a “GE man”, but I am confused. Sure would like some info on this. Has it got anything to do with AC vs DC?
Todd C.
Hi There.
When the SD90 was first designed it was to have a 6000Bhp powerplant, but when the unit first entered service the engine was not ready. These units used the powerplant out of the SD-75’s, 4500Bhp.
The SD90/43’s are the up dated units with the full 6000Bhp powerplant.
Hope this helps.
Typan.
Terry
Up took the first SD90Mac4300 on 2/29/1996 (UP8000). The last of the SD90Mac4300’s was delivered 1/22/1999 (UP8308). CP and CIT also took delivery of this model as well.
Todd, I read Typan’s post and I disagree. However, I may be wrong. What I was told by a UP engineer (again I work for BNSF so I may be wrong) is that the SD90-43 is a 4300 hp unit. The SD90 is a 6000 hp unit. I am almost sure that both units are AC, (the AC in MAC means an AC unit, as opposed to SD70M, SD75M, GP60M all DC). Hope this helps.
When you ask about the diference between the sd90 and sd9043 is a 4300 ac unit, the other is a SD90 H desinnation H refers to the big prime mover.
Does anyone happen to know how the SD90/43 are holding up comapred to the H powered versions. I have heard that they have had problems but hadn’t heard if it was engine based or whole package. Haven’t heard too wrong with regards to the SD75 which has the same engine, and the 90/43 seems like it would have better tractive effort being heavier and all. I live near the Donner route and don’t see them too often.
The way I heard it was,UP was having trouble with the 6000 HP units, and they weren’t going to upgrade their existing SD 90/43’s.I heard a roumor that UP was going to get rid of their 6000 HP units.
I kinda like the 6,000 horsepower units, they pull good but vibrate the hell outta ya!!! Also they ride kinda rough, the C60ACs I wi***hey would do away with but I don’t see uncle pete getting rid of 6 year old 2 million dollar units in the near future. I think the AC revolution is over.
LONG LIVE DC POWERED UNITS!!!
AC vs DC sounds like the fuel/maintenance trade-off with compound steam locomotives, especially the D&H compound 2-8-0’s and 4-8-0.
The control for DC motors is relatively simple but DC motors can be burned up without too much trouble. The control for AC motors is more complex but AC motors are virtually indestructible. At least that’s based on what I’ve read.