Conrail Cadillacs: The SD80MAC

Conrail Cadillacs:
The SD80MAC

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Basic 80MAC Info

In January 1996 Conrail added a brand new locomotive breed to their roster. This new locomotive was the AC traction, 5,000 hp EMD SD80MAC and was the first model to use a 20-cylinder prime-mover since the SD45 series. In the coming months, EMD would build and the Juniata Locomotive Shop would finish 28 of these 80' 2" monsters for use on heavy trains on the Pittsburgh and Boston Lines. The SD45 series had a false reputation for being fuel hogs, however the SD80MAC's 20-710G3B has electronic fuel injection for increased efficiency and reduced emissions.

The 80MAC makes use of the self-steering HTCR radial truck with large 45" wheels and flange lubricators for high adhesion and low rail wear. By far the most important feature of the SD80MAC not found in any other Conrail locomotive until this time is alternating current (AC) traction motors which coupled with the previously mentioned features create adhesion of 35%. Among many other advances and improvements is the isolated cab to improve crew comfort and Integrated Cab Electronics. The SD80MACs are also equipped with distributive power but it has been rarely used.

Conrail was so impressed with EMD's versitile SD80MAC, that they purchased the two demonstrators, EMDX 8000-8001, outright. It was announced that 108 more AC-drive locomotives would be ordered, however this was scaled back to 28 more SD80MACs scheduled for delivery in early 1997. The merger with CSX and NS put an end to any additional SD80's and the order was changed to 15 SD70MACs for CSX and 24 standard cab, DC-drive SD70s for NS -- all of which would be built at Juniata. CR 4127 would be the last ever built and now that they have been serving CSX and NS longer than CR, the SD80MACs remain the most followed group of locomotives among railfans in the east.

Today (4/16/11), 28 of the 30 80MACs are still in service, with two out of service. NS has restricted their 80MACs to coal service between Altoona, the South Fork Secondary, and Shire Oaks in western Pennsylvania. Occasionally one or a pair will operate to Baltimore or bounce back and forth between Philly and Pittsburgh. NS 80MACs make occasional trips up the Buffalo Line as well.

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