UP SD70Ms

[Lord Atmo]

aside from me, anyone else a fan of UP SD70Ms? while i know they're extremely common on the UP, i gotta say i love those machines! the sound of the 710 and the way the wings look on the nose. they're just really neat units! and though everyone hates me for it, i thrill to see them in altoona.

but i feel like i'm the only fan out there. so who else likes UP SD70Ms? 

[EJE818]

While I always say I've had enough with them, they do have a nice paint scheme. It is just they are so common on the Geneva Sub. They are nice to see sometimes.

[silicon212]

Out here on the Phoenix Line, the two most common locomotives seem to be either SD60Ms or GEVOs.  SD70Ms are common enough, but not so much that I get to the point where I say "Enough".  There's enough variety here between new and old power that consists never get tiring.  You'll catch GP40-2s leading SD70ACes, SD60Ms leading locals, SD40-2s, GEVOs and SD70ACes on the same train, etc.  GP60s are the most common switching/yard/local engine.

[Lord Atmo]

oh nice variety over there. i just get SD40-2s and crash 8s up here. and the ocassional SD70M. but nowhere near enough to get sick of them

[CNW 6000]

All I get to see are CN's GP40-2Ws, SD40-2Ws, SD50Ms, and a couple of C44-9WLs.  I'd love to see some variety!  They are sharp units.

[Lord Atmo]

SD50Ms? you mean SD50Fs?

[EJE818]

I think the UP SD70Ms without the flag on the side look a lot better then the ones with it. Basically that was a classic paint scheme from the E-units that UP brought back briefly until they started putting the flag on new engines. The ones with the flag look ok, but the ones without the flag look even better, especially the few times you see them when they are clean.

[Lord Atmo]

i disagree. the text looks boring if you ask me. a flag waving is much more exciting

[crpulse]

As common as they are I would rather listen to an EMD 2-cycle than a GE 4-cycle prime mover.

[Andrew Falconer]

There are at least 1000 Union Pacific SD70M Diesel-Electric Locomotives. 

Not all of the UP SD70M Locomotives are identical.

The most noticable difference are the flared radiators.

What are the other differences?

Andrew

[YoHo1975]

Yeah, I like the tier 1 radiator flares better myself.

 

The biggest problem with UP's SD70Ms is that they are the UP's. The Borg can go straight to....a place the TOS won't let me mention.

 

I also miss the Dynamic brake buldge. Without it, the hood is a little too boring.

 

Of course, I hate GEs even more, so I'm kinda screwed. 

[silicon212]

As common as they are I would rather listen to an EMD 2-cycle than a GE 4-cycle prime mover.

 

+1

 It's a musical sound.

[nsrayman]

There are at least 1000 Union Pacific SD70M Diesel-Electric Locomotives. 

Andrew

 

seems like 500 of them are on NS

[Lord Atmo]

oh man i LOVE the 710s! arguably more than even the 645.

as for differences, there are several:

-radiators. some flat, later ones flared

-noses. the later models had a more blocky angular type of nose. almost like an ACE

-flags. the later UP units have the flags on them. all the units with the aforementioned angular "notch nose" configuration have flags

-horns. the ex-SP units have P3 horns rather than the traditional K3LA horns UP loves ever so much 

[silicon212]

There are a good number of 4000 class SD70Ms, built in 2002 and with flared radiators, that were factory equipped with P3 horns instead of K3LA horns.

[Lord Atmo]

interesting. i thought it was just the ex-SP ones

[zugmann]

I like the big windows on the 70Ms.... gives you a nice view down the track.  

But the latest round of 70Aces/M-2s are impressive in their own right.  They are simply beasts. Esp. if you get a trio of them together... 

 

 

[Lord Atmo]

i hear ya on that, zuggy! i LOVE those SD70ACEs. most noteably the 1995, which i AGAIN missed in Altoona (was failing school. grades prevented trip. my fault comepletely. but there's always a next time! )

[wctransfer]

I also prefer the writing on the hood. The flags are overdoing it, plus, they are all getting burnt and peeling off now anyway.

Alec

[Lord Atmo]

no no. the text is UNDER doing it. i've always seen it as a "lack of paint". now if it was speed lettering or with swoosh effects added in, THEN you might get me interested

i will agree i dislike the burning flags though. 

it's actually been a while since i have seen an SD70M. they were common roadrailer power till UP just went with the NS stuff (which i prefer anyway). so i dont get much for SD70Ms

but i'll get enough when i'm in Rochelle 

[YoHo1975]

Again, you're trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Flag, no flag, it's still a frackin UP unit and should be mocked and hated by all...Now, if they were in Southern Pacific Paint, or CNW paint or.... 

[CNW 6000]

I think they'd look neat in Zito yellow and Forrest green....hehe.  They are nice units tho.

[Lord Atmo]

oh zito yellow makes ANYTHING look great!

[CNW 6000]

...even a -9?

[Andrew Falconer]

Both the Lettering and the Flag on the Sides are apparently retroreflective decals.

I love the Safety Yellow that CNW Employees and Contractors applied to Cars and Locomotives between 1980 and 1990. It looks great. It is a bright and cheery color.

Armour Yellow is a more serious and a rather harsh color, especially in very hot and very dry weather conditions. Colors actually can change the attitude of people.

Andrew

[YoHo1975]

The CNW -9s are some of the best dressed GE's out there. Though the Heritage ACE's scheme is not bad at all.

[Lord Atmo]

...even a -9?

aw cmon you know my stances on those things.... >_>  zito works on the classic EMD power and the dash 8s.

hmmm all discussions really DO change to CNW sooner or later

i agree that armour yellow can set the mood to harsh. it's happened to me...frequently. but i find the wings on the nose are quite nice. the flags too 

[bakupolo]

I like the sound of the big GE AC6000 best. It's hard to beat the noise 950 cubic inch cylinders and two giant turbos make through dual exausts.  

I'm more into the sound of the diesel, than the appearance of the hood.

[Lord Atmo]

i love the sound of the 710 revving up. dont get me wrong. but i dont think i'll ever see an AC6000 around here. would be nice though. i myself fancy the 710s on the SD90s. they sound like jets! but the SD70Ms also have a very unique sound i enjoy hearing

[SD60M]

I love the UP SD70M's too, but they are a common sight on NS rails here. I'll take a BN SD70MAC in Green and creme while i can!