With UP already sending their AC44s through GEs rebuilding program, and the the new Tier 4 EMDs being problematic, would they have any interest in having the large fleet of SD70Ms rebuilt into AC units similar to what NS is doing?
Within the last few days the UP has begun putting most or all of the EMD Tier 4 locomotives into service. The line of stored Tier 4 locomotives near Sidney, NE has been cleared out. Also many of the early GE AC4400CWs have joined the storage lines. There is a large amount of stored locomotives parked in the former Neff Yard in Kansas City estimated at several hundred locomotives, mainly SD70M and AC4400CWs, but including a smattering of other models.
The amount of GE AC locomotives being rebuilt at this time amounts to just a few per month.
UP has sold the remaining SD90MACs (4300hp) to Progress Rail.
A SD70ACU is a cheaper rebuild than a SD70ACC rebuild. So if they had no interest in the SD70ACU concept or the economic downturn and PSR scuttled any plans that may have been considered for their remaining SD9043MAC's, I personally doubt they have any plans for a major DC-to-AC rebuild of a portion of their SD70M fleet.
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