The SD90MAC-H was EMD’s problem-plagued first attempt at creating an entirely new series of prime movers to power its next generation of locomotives. The first production application of the new “265-H” prime mover was in the SD90MAC-H, a beast rated at 6,000 horsepower. Beyond the two EMD test bed units built in 1995, Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific were the only purchasers of the SD90MAC-H.
Early units were known as “Phase I” SD90MAC-Hs and can be easily distinguished by the “Pork chop” shaped front windshields. By contrast, Phase II SD90MACs have an angular nose with squarish prow and a cab with rectangular front windshields, amongst other differences.
Due to ongoing development issues, additional SD90MAC platforms deemed “SD9043MACS” were also delivered to UP and CP, but with traditional 710 series prime movers installed “temporarily” for a promised conversion to the 265 series prime mover that never materialized.
Available now is Athearn’s latest production of its premium Genesis-series EMD Phase II SD90MAC-H locomotives. Offered for the first time on the UP engines are rotating bearing caps on each axle. Phase II SD90MAC-H road names include Union Pacific in three variations, Canadian Pacific (Beaver) and a fantasy SD90MAC-H in EMD’s 1984-era demonstrator livery.. DC/DCC-ready silent units retail for $250.43 MSRP, while DC+DCC+Sound units equipped with Soundtraxx Tsunami2 sound decoders are priced at $339.12 MSRP. See your hobby dealer while supplies last.
Athearn • 2904 Research Road • Champaign, Illinois 61822 • www.athearn.com
Though the Canadian Pacific owned dozens of lookalike 4300 hp. SD9043MACs, the Canadian Pacific rostered just four “true” SD90MAC-Hs equipped with the actual four-cycle 265-H prime mover. These 6,000 horsepower beasts were numbered 9300-9303.
Measuring a massive 80 feet and two inches long, EMD’s SD90 series were the longest locomotives ever constructed by EMD that were equipped with just a single prime mover. At 98 feet, six inches, the longest diesel ever built in the world was EMD’s twin-engined DDA40X, of which 47 examples were built for the Union Pacific in 1969.
