The H engine ran pretty good. The electical system was the downfall in my opinion. The cab mounting design wasn't good either. They ride terrible because the cab is totally isolated from the nose and carbody and is mounted on rubber pads. All they do is shake and squeak... Hmmm... If they were so good, why did the UP give them back.... Why would EMD lease them to us free for the first six months? They got so bad toward the end, the shop wouldn't work on them. They sent them back.
SD 90 MAC-H = J-U-N-K junk junk junk! I'd rather run the old loud rattley 45's any day. I heard a rumor most of the 90's are being cut up for scrap. The only good things I can say in their defense is they are warm and quiet.
The H engine was basically an untested engine when it went into service. The time from designing it to actuall service has to be close to a record. GE had a product that was already in service for a number of years(Deutz) although that engine proved a bit of a problem when introduced to the world of railroading but still that's why it had a bit more of a successfull go at it.
I think UP traded back the batch that wasn't "shop friendly" meaning that many of the components weren't interchangeable with common EMD "swapped-out" parts (I think all had the H prime movers). We still see a regular group of them (90/43s) running thru Spokane to Canada on the old Spokane International. They number from the high 8200s thru the low 8300s.
To my knowledge, a Class I railroad like UP, BNSF, CSX and NS have higher EPA restrictions. UP decommissioned almost all of their SD80's and SD90's for lower emission ratings. You tend to see a lot more AC4400, SD 70, and SD40's on the class I railroad systems. Maybe, UP sold them to B&P to make a little money on those units
the 256H engines are in the SD90mac-h's knot in the SD90mac's SD90MAC's are classified either as SD90mac or SD90/43mac same engine same horsepower rating because they never converted them to 6000hp when the 256 was perfected
Thats the best 90MAC video i have ever seen! I have read rumors that EMDs 710 engine cant meet the next round of EPA emmsion standards for 2010 and they may produce the 265H for future locomotives.
Nice catch! If you look around on my videos I have a shay that a gentleman in Bradford has on private track. He calls his line the Foster Brook and State Line. Small world no?
They would look 100% better in Buffalo and Pittsburgh colors instead of UP yellow and also add a K5LA airhorn to de-UP the Engine
rve61 7 months ago
I observed 2 of these bring a 177 car mixed freight into Kansas City, MO at track speed when they were owned by Union Pacific.
csx5400 11 months ago
hmm do they have desktop controls or like a sd40
bnsf8121 1 year ago
@bnsf8121 Desktops.
csx5400 11 months ago
@csx5400 thats wierd
bnsf8121 11 months ago
@bnsf8121 I know man! These things have unbelieveable power. If some are still in service on the B &P you have to see them in action.
csx5400 11 months ago
I swear those SD90s sound like ALCOs. I hope they use the 265H again for future engines.
kmothersil 1 year ago
The H engine ran pretty good. The electical system was the downfall in my opinion. The cab mounting design wasn't good either. They ride terrible because the cab is totally isolated from the nose and carbody and is mounted on rubber pads. All they do is shake and squeak... Hmmm... If they were so good, why did the UP give them back.... Why would EMD lease them to us free for the first six months? They got so bad toward the end, the shop wouldn't work on them. They sent them back.
bpman99 1 year ago
SD 90 MAC-H = J-U-N-K junk junk junk! I'd rather run the old loud rattley 45's any day. I heard a rumor most of the 90's are being cut up for scrap. The only good things I can say in their defense is they are warm and quiet.
bpman99 2 years ago
The H engine was basically an untested engine when it went into service. The time from designing it to actuall service has to be close to a record. GE had a product that was already in service for a number of years(Deutz) although that engine proved a bit of a problem when introduced to the world of railroading but still that's why it had a bit more of a successfull go at it.
huettmr 2 years ago
I think UP traded back the batch that wasn't "shop friendly" meaning that many of the components weren't interchangeable with common EMD "swapped-out" parts (I think all had the H prime movers). We still see a regular group of them (90/43s) running thru Spokane to Canada on the old Spokane International. They number from the high 8200s thru the low 8300s.
wesolint 1 year ago
why UP sells those SD90 ??? they look cool! thx
falko73 2 years ago
To my knowledge, a Class I railroad like UP, BNSF, CSX and NS have higher EPA restrictions. UP decommissioned almost all of their SD80's and SD90's for lower emission ratings. You tend to see a lot more AC4400, SD 70, and SD40's on the class I railroad systems. Maybe, UP sold them to B&P to make a little money on those units
musicsnob01 2 years ago
@musicsnob01 UP never had SD80s
nbtrainlvr94 1 year ago
strange to hear a GM engine rumbles like a GE engine:s
olegutn 3 years ago 10
That's because it's EMD's four stroke H motor. It makes 6300 horsepower.
seabulls69 2 years ago
@olegutn even stranger to see 3rd generation EMDs operating on a shortline
DASCO2136 1 year ago
@olegutn They have 4 cycle engines like GEs. You have to see and hear them in person. Its a sight to behold.
csx5400 11 months ago
I want that decommissioned B&O CPL up there early in the video...
kleetus92 3 years ago
Seems a little to much power for switching. Great catch
adamc702 3 years ago 9
@adamc702 You kidding, Down in the yard by my house they use 2 SD40-2's a SD90mac, an a B40-8 to do switching... Now that's Overpowered!
metroliner89 1 month ago
this 256h engine doesnt sound very balanced ,no wonder why they fell apart
dieselroarmt875 3 years ago
THAT IS THE BEST SOUNDING LOCO.
poplock1963 3 years ago 4
those engines sound different, know what I mean?...
railfanman 3 years ago
the 256H in a straight SD90MAC is a 4-stroke where the 710 in the 90-43MAC is a traditional EMD 2-stroke.
UP4012 3 years ago
the 256H engines are in the SD90mac-h's knot in the SD90mac's SD90MAC's are classified either as SD90mac or SD90/43mac same engine same horsepower rating because they never converted them to 6000hp when the 256 was perfected
railfanman 3 years ago
what the hell??? are you bokers??? the SD90mac is the same as an SD90/43mac dude! and the SD90/43mac has a 710G engine get your facts straight
railfanman 3 years ago
Thats the best 90MAC video i have ever seen! I have read rumors that EMDs 710 engine cant meet the next round of EPA emmsion standards for 2010 and they may produce the 265H for future locomotives.
redhotrider57 3 years ago
Great vid, probably some of the only true 90MAC-H action captured so far. Is this short line still running them?
RTD1 3 years ago
Those are giant units. To bad they aren't that reliable. It's quite sad to be honest.
EMDFAN1988 3 years ago
Nice catch! If you look around on my videos I have a shay that a gentleman in Bradford has on private track. He calls his line the Foster Brook and State Line. Small world no?
kleetus92 3 years ago
EMD would be proud. Great video.
cbehr91 3 years ago 2