Hello again folks, and welcome to another model review!
Today we’re taking a look at a big EMD unit with a fairly short but interesting history…
So without further ado, let’s get started!
EMD SD90MAC History: The SD90 series consisted of a few different variations, such as the SD9043MAC, SD90MAC-H II, etc, but today we’re looking at the straight SD90MAC, sometimes referred to as an SD90MAC-H, the “H” referring to the H series prime mover it has.
Various railroads, during the period of the SD90’s development, were looking for more powerful units, and the two major locomotive builders, GE and EMD, would each develop a series of 6,000hp units – EMD with the SD90 and GE with the AC6000CW.
EMD’s SD90MAC’s, as we are looking at today, were equipped as follows; 6000hp EMD V16 16-265H prime mover, 6 Siemens 1TB2830 AC traction motors, and radial steering trucks. They were EMD’s most powerful single engine diesel, and among the largest, coming in at 425,000lbs and 80ft 2in long. Of the various types of SD90, only 478 would be built, for 4 buyers; Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, CEFX (CIT Group, lease fleet), and Fortescue Metals Group (export to Australia). Unfortunately, as impressive as they are, both in size and power, they would not prove particularly successful, due to various issues, including general mechanical unreliability.
This problem was multifaceted: railroads bought the 6,000hp units to cut down on the number of locomotives needed to handle trains, but if they were using 2 SD90’s, and one went down, that would usually cause a train to stall and need rescue, whereas if they were using 3 or more units of regular power, such as an SD60 or C40-8, if a unit died, the train could usually keep moving. This would not be a major concern, except the SD90’s were not reliable to begin with, so road failures were more common for them than other contemporary power.
All of this would result in the SD90’s going into storage, only being reactivated if absolutely necessary. After years in storage, some would be scrapped and some rebuilt, resulting in Norfolk Southern and CP’s “SD70ACU”, which are SD90’s rebuilt with better electronics, new cabs, and other updates and upgrades (these either started out as SD9043MACs with the less powerful but more reliable 4,300hp 16-710 G3C-T1 prime mover, or had a similar unit installed – no 6,000hp units were produced from the SD70ACU programs).
To the best of my knowledge, few, if any, SD90’s are currently in operation, either the 4,300 or 6,000hp variants. They’ve been rebuilt, scrapped, or are possibly in storage somewhere. Indiana Railroad was operating a few SD9043MACs, but were reportedly retiring them, if they haven’t already.
EMDX 8204 History: The subject of today’s review was originally built by EMD in May of 1997, and would only carry the number 8204 for a short time – 1997 only far as I could tell – before being renumbered to EMDX 8504.
It would test and demonstrate for EMD, with much of the testing done on Union Pacific’s Moffat Route in Colorado, for a couple years or so. Also during this time, it was one of several locomotives on display at EMD’s 75th anniversary open house in September of 1997 at their La Grange, Illinois factory.
Eventually it was sold to Union Pacific, where it became UP 8504. UP would renumber it to 8914. It would be retired by early 2009 and sold to Metro East Industries in East St. Louis, who would scrap it. Interestingly, both of its former UP numbers are still carried by EMD products, EMD SD70ACe units.
Box info~
Demonstrator 8204 in all her glory.
I often wonder who designs these paint schemes - someone on EMD's staff, or an outside contractor?
I know the early EMD's often had schemes designed by outside firms, but don't know how long that lasted - though even the latest EMD demonstrators, the SD70ACe-T4's, had fairly "fancy" schemes, as opposed to GE's Tier 4 Demonstrators being just a solid dark blue.
I feel like that white step on the back could be in the wrong place...? Seems like it'd be the one in the white stripe.
Yes, the frame isn't straight. That's as it appears on the prototype - the SD90's (and other big EMD's) had this oddity.
It does give the appearance of damage or bad construction, but that's how they built 'em.
Ratings…
Good: The overall build quality is very good, with the whole model feeling sturdy and robust, and the detail parts being well made and installed. The paint is very nicely done, which I considered impressive, as it’s a fairly ornate livery, and is what attracted me to the model (incidentally, this paint scheme was worn by several EMD demonstrators of the era, and was called the “Shamu” scheme, because of the color and the very large locomotives). In a similar vein, the small warning stickers were all impressively done as well.
As is fairly typical with big Athearn diesels, it is very heavy, coming in at 1lb 7.6oz.
As is also typical with Athearns in my experience, the model operates flawlessly – the DCC works as it should, the sounds are great, and the lighting looks nice. It also came with a detail bag containing lift rings for the body panels, as well as what appears to be axle box covers.
Bad: Nothing too serious here, but a couple things I noticed. The molding definition/depth on the doors on the body seems very shallow, almost disappearing and having a hardly visible seem around them. This is especially obvious with the bright paint colors. Speaking of paint, it could’ve been a bit glossier, but I’ve seen far worse.
Overall: It’s a mighty fine model, of an impressive locomotive. It looks great overall, and it operates and runs flawlessly. A couple minor cosmetic issues, but nothing major.
I always like the demonstrators and experimentals, and this model is an excellent representation of one. I can certainly recommend it!
That’s all for this review – as always, thanks for looking!
Enjoyed the video, great color scheme and appreciate the in depth review