SD75 & SD90 series

[Anonymous]

I have read that there have been problems with the SD75 and SD90 series. Does anybody have any input as to what the nature of the problems are? I suspect cooling since it is the BNSF who has problems with the 75's and you don't hear anything from CN, the other operator.

[Anonymous]

I heard that the SD90macs have had computer problems not sure on the SD75m/i.

[Anonymous]

I have read that the 90's had software problems but the 90's(4300hp) share the same prime mover as the 75's and was wondering if it was engine related also. The 90's have split cooling but I believe the 75's don't. Anyway, BNSF doesn't seem to be too happy with the 75's since they layed up several.

[Anonymous]

on the UP the SD90MAC'S have been restricted to 60mph or less and are now generally assigned to manifest service, they seem to be working o.k. the problem stems from ride issues, as they are pretty bouncy, however that has as much to do with UP's maintainance of track as anything. on good track they ride fine. the isolated cab seems to really bounce hard though on rougher track, something EMD needs to look into, because the SD90/43MAC'S have the same problem.

[Anonymous]

I thought with the SD90 series, the Railroads who bought them, were having trouble with the H series engines...not sure what the trouble it/was. Could be software related too. Too far off base here?

[Anonymous]

I have read that the H engine has had some problems (as had GE's 6000hp) which will no doubt be fixed but I also have read about woe's with the 4300hp version too. CP for a while only would use them in a trailing positon, awaiting a software improvement and have heard that UP has had issues with it also.

[Anonymous]

not many problems with the H itself, but yes there were considerable software problems, which have since been mostly resolved. as a note on the GE's, GE sued the German company that designed their engine, I have never seen anything about a resolution to the lawsuit, but i would assume that the engine problems have been corrected, as we have suddenly started getting those AC6000's again on stack trains. as for the 4300hp engine, that is just a 710 series engine, just like we are getting on 70M's and on the 9043MAC's, haven't heard of any major mechanical problems with these engines, just some occasional software problems, in fact i just read that the new fleet of 70's is running at 95% or better availability.

[Anonymous]

I belive the the newest trains said the SD40-2s are running at 92% to 94% availability. Something to be said for those 20to25 year old EMDs!!!!
It also says that as of April 2001 UP as 431 SD70Ms. They plan to keep 600 to 900 SD40-2s after all SD70Ms are delivered. It also says that UP is only retiring SD40-2s after a catastrophic failure. The SD70Ms are a modern day SD40-2.