SD80 Rebuilds

I'd have to guess that they'll get an SD70ACE- style cab and electrical cabinet like the SD70ACU's have, and look very similar to those.  

That sucks what was wrong with the cab in the first place? 

Btw the Sd80 is a prime example of "the customer was right!" The 20 CY was built on the proven 645 engine components.

No, the SD80MAC was built on proven 710 engine components.  What wasn't proven then or now is the electronics in the 70-90 series, hence the upgrades, and the newer ACe cab, ugly as it is, is already built to accept the new electrical cabinets and such that will be installed.  Curiously enough though, some of the Kansas City Southern SD70MAC units are being upgraded but keeping their original cab.   I wonder how different if any the KCS upgrades are VS. the NS upgrades.  I expect ALL of the NS EMD DC to AC and AC upgrade locos to get the ACe cab. 

Interesting that NS is upping the HP...

Well, if you've got all those 16-710s cranking out 4300 HP, no reason not to get 5500 out of the 20-710s.   Either way, it's about 270 HP per cylinder.  I'm guessing NS and EMD feel the new electronics can handle the increased HP without issue.

Hi Bob,

What surprises me about NS's decision to up the HP output, is that fuel efficiency will be affected. NS always looks to be cost effective.

The 'battleships' of the Conrail fleet (now over 20 years old) continue to soldier on.

I looked at the SD80 roster for NS. They have had them from the onset.

Dick

I found an article that said the NS traded SD40-2s to CSX for the SD80MACs they had from the Conrail split.

I guess those are the ones up for this program?

I remember when Conrail got their first SD80s. I have a photo I took of two sitting east of the Conway yards.  I guess  NS got the SD90s from Conrail at the merger. They were and still are in the 7200 series.  At first they kept then close to Altoona and were using them on coal drags on the South Fork secondary.  I have tons of video and stills of them up there. My favorite still has to be the SD40-2, though.

Engineer-Joe,

NS did trade the SD40-2 to CSX for their SD40-3 upgrade program.  NS progressively repainted the SD80MAC's to their colors.  Otherwise, no changes.  I wonder when this program will be started? 

Originally posted by Jim Pastorius:

I guess  NS got the SD90s from Conrail at the merger.

What SD90's from Conrail?  NS did get SD90-43 "convertibles" from UP though

Conrail purchased 30 sd80mac. After the split up, Norfolk Southern got 17 and CSX got 13. CSX scrapped road number 4110 and stated above Norfolk Southern traded sd40's for the remaining 12 CSX's sd80mac's.

I guess you could say that the 80's have withstood the test of time. 90's and AC6000s faded but the 80s are all still in service (minus 4110). I always liked the 80MAC, not that matters