EMD SD80MAC

EMD SD80MAC

The SD80MAC is a 5,000 horsepower (3.7 MW) C-C diesel-electric locomotive. The SD80MAC uses a 20 cylinder version of EMD's 710G prime mover, and is the first diesel locomotive to use a 20-cylinder engine since the SD45/SD45-2. The SD80MAC introduced a wide radiator housing similar to GE locomotives and the placement of dynamic brakes at the rear of the locomotive, which is a quieter location, features that were incorporated into the SD90MAC and SD70ACe models. Key spotting difference between the SD80MAC and SD90MAC include: no external rear sandbox on the 90MAC, rear number boards, and the placement of the front numberboards (above the cab windows on the SD80MAC, on the nose on most SD90MACs). The SD80MAC also has recessed red marker lights in the nose, an identifying feature unique to Conrail locomotives, although NS has removed the lights on most of their former Conrail engines.

All 30 units built were delivered to Conrail, and the 28 production units were completed, tested, and painted at the former Pennsylvania Railroad shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania. In the Conrail split, Norfolk Southern received 17 units (numbered 7200–7216) while CSX got 13 (800–812, being renumbered to 4590–4602). The former Conrail units were the first AC traction locomotives owned by Norfolk Southern, with the railroad waiting until late 2008 to order the General Electric ES44AC. While Norfolk Southern quickly removed the class lights, CSX did not and they can still be seen on the engines.

Chicago and North Western Railway ordered 15, along with Canadian Pacific, but the orders were canceled and/or changed. Even Conrail ordered more, but its new owners changed the order to SD70s and SD70MACs, all of which would be built at the Juniata Shops in Altoona.

The SD80MAC is one of the most popular modern locomotives with railfans, partially due to its rarity. In 2009, the final SD80MAC in Conrail blue; NS 7205 ( former CR 4109 ) was repainted NS black. There are no more Conrail-painted SD80MACs remaining on CSX or NS This engine type is also known as the Conrail Cadillac as they were Conrail's final and most advanced locomotive.

Most recently, Vale Mining has ordered a set of 7 updated locomotives designated as SD80ACe's. These locomotives feature Tier 1 compliant 20-710GB engines. The design is currently for export only, and these specific locomotives will run on Vale Mining's 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge trackage.