SD70M Diesel Locomotive

Prototype Information

The EMD SD70M stormed onto the rails in 1992, bringing power and reliability to North American freight service. Built by Electro-Motive Division (EMD), it packed a punch with its 16-710G3B V16 diesel engine, delivering 4,000 horsepower. Designed to replace older models and go head-to-head with General Electric’s Dash 9 series, the SD70M quickly proved its worth in long-haul operations.

The “M” stood for the wide-nose North American Safety Cab, which gave crews better protection and comfort. With a C-C wheel arrangement and the EM2000 microprocessor control system, the SD70M optimized traction, fuel efficiency, and overall performance. It used an AC alternator with DC traction motors, a tried-and-true setup that ensured reliability before the widespread adoption of AC traction motors.

Union Pacific (UP) led the charge, ordering over 1,000 units, while other major players like Norfolk Southern (NS) and Southern Pacific (SP) also invested heavily in the SD70M. By the end of production in 2004, EMD had built 1,646 units, cementing the SD70M’s place as one of the most successful freight locomotives of its era.

The SD70M wasn’t just a workhorse it was built to last. Many of these machines are still pulling freight today, proving their durability and efficiency. Variants like the SD70I (with an isolated cab) and the SD70ACe (featuring AC traction motors) followed, but the SD70M’s legacy remains strong on the rails.