What was wrong with SD90MACs?

[cbalducc]

I have the impression they were "lemons".

 

CKB 

[Anonymous]

They had alot of engine problems (thus, the SD9043MAC - 90MAC bodies with 4300 hp engines, that where to be upgraded when the problem was soved). By the time EMD started to fix them, the railroads viewed them as impratical since they could only be used for mainline service; they where too power/big/heavy for their own good.

[apartment railer]

Too big wasnt they only issue. They did have bugs in them like the 80macs, but the biggest issue is fuel. The new 70s pull just fine and are better at the pump!

[Lord Atmo]

i heard the SD90MAC-h II was the most problematic of them all

i consider that cab design with noselights a problem because of how ugly it is

no seriously, i was told they had real problems. and lots of them

 

were the AC6000CWs any better or worse?

[Anonymous]

They looked weird

[ndbprr]

Any time the envelope is pushed there are going to be problems.  That is why the SD50 was worse than the SD60 or 70.  The railroads kind of went bonkers over larger engines and I expect most to be scrapped when their fifteen year despreciation is up.  What shortline  or regional could possible want that much power in one engine?

[PBenham]

The SD90MAC-H engine had a host of faults, but the inability of it to meet EPA tier II regulations (it just barely made Tier I, but not at 6000-net-HP) really hurt. However, the "new" EMD might find a fix for it. The Chinese are interested in them, but until it can be made to run "cleaner"there's no market for it in North America for the foreseeable future.