What exactly is an SD9043MAC? Is it an SD90MAC that never got the 6000HP prime mover, but got a 4300 HP one instead? (Hence the “43”)
And, what is an SD90MAC H2?
Thanks.
Good question !?! [:D]
You got it Alex, the 4390s were intended to be converted to the 6000hp prime mover. But seeing how the true 90s are (or have) left the roster (UPs anyway)…well [sigh]
So the 9043’s never got the 6000HP prime mover in the first place?
What’s the “H2” for in SD90MAC H2?
The 9043 as Chad states received the 16-710G3C-EC engine to be updated to the 16V265H engine when it became available. Due to the problems with the “H” engine, UP decided to leave the proven 2-stroke engines in place instead of upgrading to this new 4-stroke engine.
An SD90MAC-H is a locomotive with the 6,000 HP engine (the “H” engine). The 2 is Phase 2 - the phase 1 has a cab that looks like an SD70MAC and the phase 2 cab looks closer to that used on the current SD70ACe.
And most have been retired I believe, apparently they weren’t worth rebuilding or something like that. There is another thread addressing this.
The problems with the 6000hp diesel have finally been solved, however all the existing SD90MAC-H and SD90MAC-H2 locomotives are so patched from a long series of modifications that the UP which owns all but one of the SD90MAC-Hs has decided to scrap the 21 that they own, for parts such as inverters and traction motors for spares for the SD90MACs (which UP calls SD9043MACs). EMD owns the other SD90MAC-H and 42 SD90MAC-H2s (40 of which had been leased to UP). CP last month officially retired the 4 SD90MAC-H2s that they owned. CP’s SD90MAC-H2s are also heavily modified so it is likely that they too will be scrapped.
I expect that EMD will continue to use the 2 SD90MAC-H2s that have served as testbeds in that role, but I think the 41 that were leased to UP will be scrapped within a year or two. A few ex- UP leasers are on lease to W&LE for a nominal sum at the moment.
Don’t forget the SD70M-2, identical in appearance to the ACe. [;)]
I may be mistaken, but several months back; were there not a couple of former UP/GE’s 90MAC’s leased by a Genessee and Wyoming line for use on coal trains in New York state? IIRC both TRAINS and R&R had photos of those brutes on the G&W property.
About three years ago, I saw a train with an ex-UP SD90MAC-H on the NS mainline headed south to Atlanta with EMDX or similar markings on it, making it obvious that it was now part of a lease fleet. I can’t remember the exact reporting marks other than the “X,” making it obvious that UP had returned it. Another high horsepower experiment bites the dust.
Yes G &W’ S Buffalo and Pittsburgh line was running several leased units on main line freights,
It appears most are on thier way back to E.M.D. dead, and as soon as the rest break down
they will be gone too.
We are starting to see more SD45 power on the line