Athearn Genesis HO G75729 SD70, Illinois Central #1040

Continuing upon the successful SD60-series, in 1992 EMD debuted the next step in locomotive evolution with the SD70-series. While outwardly similar at first glance to the SD60M, the D.C.-drive SD70M 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 NorthAmerican safety-cab (hence the “M” in their model designation), and decked out in an attractive gray, silver, and burgundy paint scheme. These units traveled all over North America, showing off the latest technology from EMD. Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad requested a 4300 horsepower version resulting in the SD75M. As production continued, EMD incorporated their new “Whisper Cab” design resulting in the SD75I. The updated cab SD75I was purchased by Santa Fe successor Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Canadian National, and the Ontario Northland. Having been built only in the mid-1990s, you can still find the entire fleet of SD75Ms and SD75Is in regular service today.

The Illinois Central did own SD70s – but by the time they were delivered, the road had adopted the “Death Star” scheme, with a logo reminiscent of the infamous space station of movie fame.

IC FEATURES:
Air conditioner
SL5T horn
Spare knuckles on rear pilot
IC “Green Diamond” scheme

SD70 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
Lift rings
Factory installed wire grab irons
Dual sanding lines
Windshield wipers
Anti-glare panel painted on the nose
Standard or Freight-style brake wheel
See-through radiator fans
DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin connector
MU receptacles and cables per prototype
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
Pilot face spare knuckles and brackets per prototype
Several types of fuel tanks, all featuring separate gauges, sight glasses, and breather piping
Detailed and painted cab interior with control stand, display screens, detailed crew seats
Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
Underframe mounted bell- regular or electronic
Low mount stepwell lights (non-operating)
Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
McHenry lower-shelf scale knuckle spring couplers
Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
Minimum radius: 18″ – Recommended radius: 22″