HO G2 SD70M-2 with DCC & Sound, VTR #432

HO G2 SD70M-2 with DCC & Sound, VTR #432 Overview

Starting in 2007, Florida East Coast leased four blue-and-yellow SD70M-2s for mainline service. When the lease expired in 2015, the units were purchased by First Union Rail and subsequently split between Vermont Railway and Providence & Worcester, with two units going to each railroad. Vermont Railway's units were soon painted into that road's attractive scheme of red with white trim, and continue to see service on mainline trains today.

In order to meet stricter diesel locomotive emissions standards imposed by EPA Tier II regulations, EMD modified the SD70MAC to create the SD70ACe and SD70M-2. Each model is powered by a 16-cylinder, 4300-horsepower diesel engine. On the SD70M-2, the prime mover drives an alternator and produces AC current that is rectified to DC current, which powers the traction motors. On the SD70ACe, the DC current is then “chopped” back into AC to power the traction motors.

Much of the external design is based on the SD90 series locomotives, specifically the SD90MAC-H PHII. Similar features include the nose shape, full height nose door and rectangular windshields, the large flared radiators with two fans, and the positioning of the dynamic brake equipment at the rear of the long hood. In addition, the inverters were moved from inside the long hood to a box on the walkway behind the fireman's side of the cab.

The Athearn Genesis 2.0 SD70ACE and SD70M-2 feature upgraded tooling with new walkway variants and etched see-through steps. Additional lighting features over previous versions include operating number boards and ground lights, as well as working marker lights on applicable CN versions. All lighting is provided by LEDs.