GMD Recollections - SD70MAC

Burlington Northern SD70MAC number 9421 was on delivery at CN London East on March 22, 1994.

By Peter Mumby.

The SD70MAC effectively started the ball rolling as far as AC traction locomotives in North America were concerned.  Burlington Northern's initial order for 350 of these units ensured that EMD would get a worthwhile return on its research and development investment.  BN selected the distinctive "executive scheme" to make these locomotives stand out from the rest of the pack.  As far as a time line for this BN paint scheme is concerned, I noted that the first photo in my collection of such a unit featured number 9401 on delivery to the CP yard in London, Ontario on November 11, 1993.  Number 9421, featured in today's photo, was documented at CN London East on March 22, 1994.    It was interesting to see that number 9716, the final BN-lettered unit in this scheme, was selected by GMD to be the subject of a builder's photo taken by Grimes Photography.  I have a photo of the next unit, 9717, still in this paint scheme but now lettered  BNSF, which was taken on its February 06/96 delivery day at the CN London East yard.