UP is to be the prime mover for GM auto and truck deliveries in the West. It is speculation, but the large order for SD70Ms definitely helped UP gain this business from BNSF.
yes, they just announced this a few days ago, although they were already hauling the lion’s share of GM business before. But, that order for the 70’s certainly couldn’t have hurt their standing with GM’s higher ups.
Evan, just a note about the EPA emissions, there are currently a number of 70M’s running around (i don’t know where in the # sequence they start) that are already tier 1 certified. while they do have a special govenor, it is still a mechanical/hydralic govenor, and all they have is different, but not electronic, fuel injectors. in the computer at work, any of these that are tier 1 approved have a list of about 4-5 things that have been changed and if replaced, must be replaced with like parts. I have seen some of the lower #'d 70’s with the same listing, so they must be retrofitting the older ones as they come in for shopping. Also, I’ve noticed the true 90’s are creeping back into intermodal service, albeit not as leaders, but as the middle unit of a three unit “power set”, typically with a 70 on each end. Also the GE 7500’s are back in intermodal service, as they too, had many teething problems out of the gate, so perhaps it’s just a matter of time before they both get back to their intended service, (although hopefully with enough extra power if you loose one you don’t “lay down”).
Fellow Members
No one has brought up anything about AC4400 and Dash 9’s meeting tier 1 and beyond. I hear emissions for GE is going to be a definite thorn in the side. Also, about SD70M order to CSX. CSX did order SD70MAC’s years ago. The AC cousin to the 70M. CSX did pick up the old EMD lease fleet of SD70M’s that were typically out in California. It was not a new order though. EMD swapped CSX for a boatload of GP38’S for SD70M’s and GP60’s. It was a deal with LLPX. Joint venture between EMD and GATX. Don’t know the road numbers of the SD70M’s though. NS bought 10 SD70M’s along with the 1000 UP SD70M’s order. Better price tacking it onto the 1000 unit order. Who is the so called EMD REP???
interesting point about the GE’s, on the UP there are a bunch of these GE’s that are flagged in the computer to keep 'em out of California due to emission problems, although they still run 'em into Cal. Also, there are several, I guess test bed, GE’s running around with test equipment trying to get them up to tier 1. be interesting to see how they solve their emission problems, might have to do something like EMD and have an engine driven turbo with an over-running clutch to keep the turbo from lagging. Didn’t know about the NS order. anybody heard any bad things about the SD80MAC’s that CSX,NS inherited from Conrail? just curious about that 20cyl. 710 engine and whether they are good units or not.
But Union Pacific has not bought 1000 SD70s. They have merely leased them. Up until now UP always buys any locomotive that they have an intention of keeping. Why lease these? The lease has an option to purchase at the end of the term. But the purchase price is about 90% of the cost of a new locomotive, so it seems likely that these SD70s will not be on the UP long term.
CTC Board magazine is reporting that UP is negotiating with EMD for another 700 SD70Ms. The units are to be delivered over a seven year period, between 2002 and 2008. The units will be delivered at the rate of 100 per year.
I also see on trainorders.com that UP may drop the wings (GOD I HOPE NOT).
man I sure hope so, I work for 'em, but haven’t seen anything about another order yet. These are excellent engines, and so far, other than some minor problems (fridge circuit breaker is a problem on about half of 'em so far), they are definately good units, and on stacks and 'racks they ride so much better than GE widebodies. Also the seats are very comfortable, hope this is the new standard seat for UP.
I went and looked at this site, just a couple of questions, do you have to pay to join,(it looks like $7.00 is that correct), and also where did you find that about the wings? I couldn’t find anything about the wings, and the company hasn’t said anything to us (employees) about discontinuing the wings. If they do stop w/the wings I would assume it is a cost saving measure, as they are starting to tighten their belt in other ways also (consolidating trains, cutting switch engines/dodgers back, reducing extra boards (in some cases to the extreme), etc,etc)
those sd70 that the ns bought was from what the con-rail order before the merger. that is what the officials told us 2 years ago. they also are trouble with the electronics. i have not had a sd70 in the lead with electronic brakes they are tagged “b” unit only as power. the 26l are in the lead but not the elec brakes. ive heard rumors about the ns getting up units but nothing in writing from the top.
Derek, John Bromley(UPRRPR) has a post on trainorders that says UP is looking into the wings on equipment and other things. I think the $7.00 is only one time deal but you can look at the posts you just can’t post info.