PROTOTYPE HISTORY:

    Continuing upon the successful SD60-series, in 1992 EMD debuted the next step in locomotive evolution with the SD70. While outwardly similar at first glance to the SD60, the D.C.-drive SD70 featured several external design refinements from the predecessor model. Battery boxes were relocated to the left-hand side walkway immediately behind the cab. A large, boxy forward traction motor blower housing replaced the angular version used on SD60s, the raised walkway duct on the left hand walkway was eliminated, and an intake for the rear traction motor blower on the left hand side of the carbody, directly under the rear radiator intake grill, was added.

    Internally, the SD70 boasted improvements as well; a 16-710GB prime mover, rated at 4,000hp, was coupled to a new alternator design, the AR20. New D70TR traction motors were standard, and controlling all of this power and locomotive function was EMD’s new EM2000 microprocessor, which boasted more memory, twice the processing speed, and improved locomotive self-diagnostic capabilities compared to the processor suite used in the SD60. Even more revolutionary was the inclusion of EMD’s patented “Radial” truck design, the HTC-R. This design, which made its debut under EMD Demo SD60 #3, replaced the venerable HT-C truck, and is unique in its ability to shift, or “steer”, the wheelsets laterally through curves, resulting in greatly reduced wheelset and track wear, and coupled with the new D70TR traction motors and EM2000 microprocessor, greatly improved adhesion.

    Continuing with previous practice, EMD built a set of Demonstrator SD70Ms, EMD 7000-7002, all equipped with the North American safety-cab (hence the “M” in their model designation), and decked out in an attractive gray, silver, and burgundy paint scheme. These units travelled all over North America, showing off the latest technology from EMD. Eastern giant Norfolk Southern liked what it saw, and was the first to order SD70s, but with a twist; instead of having them equipped with the increasingly popular (and soon to be standard) “M” cab, they opted for standard, or “Spartan” cabs on their initial orders. The first production SD70s, NS 2501-2506, built in 1993, were quickly followed by additional units; NS 2507-2531, also built in 1993, and NS 2532-2556, built in 1994. They could be found in a variety of assignments over the NS system, and even saw run-through service on connecting roads, such as Southern Pacific, making appearances on the West Coast.

LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

    Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
    Front / rear trainline and MU hoses with silver ends
    Coupler cut levers with loops per prototype
    Sunshades and sunshade tracks per prototype
    Roof details such as antennas, air conditioners, beacons, and conduits per prototype
    Operating ditch lights
    MU receptacles and cables per prototype
    Rear pilot spare face knuckles and brackets per prototype
    Early or late anticlimbers
    3 or 4 step walkways
    AEI tags mounted on the frame or jacking pads per prototype
    Safety tread on the walkways
    Several types of fuel tanks, all featuring separate gauges, sight glasses, and breather piping
    Anti-glare panel painted on the nose
    Windshield wipers
    Tinted or clear cab windows per prototype
    Detailed and painted cab interior with control stand, display screens, detailed crew seats
    Standard or Freight-style brake wheel
    See-through radiator fans
    Lift rings
    Factory installed wire grab irons
    Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
    Underframe mounted bell- regular or electronic
    Low mount stepwell lights (non-operating)
    Dual sanding lines
    Rear pilot drop grab iron (MU hose retainer) per prototype
    DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with both 8- and 9-pin connector
    McHenry lower-shelf scale knuckle spring couplers
    Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
    Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
    Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation
    All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
    All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
    Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
    Incandescent bulbs for realistic appearance
    Bidirectional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains constant
    Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
    Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
    Minimum radius: 18”
    Recommended radius: 22”

SOUND EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE:

    Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound
    Sound units operate in both DC and DCC
    Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode
    Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC
    All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode
    Excellent Slow speed control
    Operating lighting functions with F5 and/or F6 (Flashing ditch lights, beacon, etc)
    Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
    Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes
    CV chart included in the box.

NS FEATURES:

Norfolk Southern, always in the market for secondhand EMD power, acquired the three former NYS&W SD70Ms in late 2014. The new Thoroughbreds received a fresh coat of black and were renumbered 2797-2799. Since then, NS 2798 has been fitted with rooftop PTC antennas, a distinctive detail captured by our Genesis model.

    Former NYS&W 4050-4052
    Early SD70M body
    K5LAR24 horn
    Air Dryer
    Spare knuckles on rear pilot
    MU receptacles & cables on each end
    Prime air filters
    HTCR trucks
    SP style tall plow

#2798: PTC antennas installed

#2797, 2799:  Sinclair & small can antenna installed with removable glue. Optional PTC antenna set included in box (it is believed that NS will retrofit these units with PTC in the near future).