Prototype Information ? The General Motors Locomotive Group (GMLG) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SD70MAC is one of the most common locomotives plying the rails today. Originally introduced in late 1993 with an order for the Burlington Northern, the production now totals over 900 units, exceeding the combined production of the SD80MAC and SD90MAC locomotives by over 300 units. Designed to be a solid locomotive to upgrade the Burlington Northern fleet, the SD70MAC has its origins in the SD60MAC design demonstrated on the BN. At this time, the SD70MAC, in all of its versions, has been operated by six different railroads in a total of eight different paint schemes. The railroads that operate this locomotive span from East to West and from Mexico to Alaska! The locomotives are used to haul all kinds of freight, and even passenger trains (Alaska Railroad). For comparison, the SD80MAC has been operated in three paint schemes and the SD90MAC has been operated by three railroads in four paint schemes. Model Features ? The models will feature traditional Kato craftsmanship and detail, white LED directional headlights, lighted ditch lights, lighted printed numberboards, factory-installed DCC socket, and Kato knuckle couplers. These models will be equipped with the powerful Kato motor with dual brass flywheels and 42'' scale blackened metal wheels in trucks that replicate the prototype's HTCR Phase II trucks (all-wheel electrical pick-up). Some detail parts will require hobbyist installation. Roadname Information ? Alaska When the Alaska Railroad ordered their SD70MAC locomotives for use on passenger and freight service, they were essentially an ''add-on'' to a pending BNSF order. In fact, the new Alaska Railroad paint scheme, which debuted on the SD70MAC, is based on the BN/BNSF Executive scheme! John Combs has put together an excellent website on Alaska Railroad history. SD70MACs were shipped by rail from Altoona, PA, through UP's Proviso Yard in Chicago, and all the way out to Seattle, WA for transfer to ship so they could be delivered to Alaska. During their trip across the lower 48 states, railfans flocked to the rails to catch a glimpse of ARR's newest power.

Prototype photo by Curt Fortenberry