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 ? TFM (Kansas City Southern Affiliate) Officially known as Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana, TFM assumed control of Mexico's Northeast Railway in June of 1997. It was the first railway to be privatized under Mexico's National Development Plan. TFM operates the primary rail route in northern Mexico linking Mexico City with Laredo, Texas, where over 50 percent of US-Mexico trade crosses the border. Union Pacific and BNSF both interchange with TFM in Laredo, Texas (BNSF by way of trackage right over another NAFTA railroad, the Texas-Mexican Railway). A joint venture of Transportacion Maritima Mexicana (TMM) and KCS with the Mexican government, TFM is providing a critical link in Kansas City Southern's NAFTA Railway. The locomotives wear the same paint scheme as other KCS family railroads and are capable of operating on any NAFTA Railway line. Additional information about TFM can be found on the TFM corporate website.