EMD SD80MAC

The SD80MAC is a 5,000 horsepower (3.7 MW) C-C road switcher diesel-electric locomotive. The model uses a 20-cylinder version of EMD's 710G prime mover, and is the first diesel locomotive to use a 20-cylinder engine since EMD's SD45 and SD45-2. It introduced a wide radiator housing similar to GE Transportation locomotives and the placement of dynamic brakes at the rear of the locomotive, which is a quieter location, features that were incorporated into the SD90MAC and SD70ACe models. Key spotting difference between the SD80MAC and SD90MAC include no external rear sandbox on the SD90MAC, rear number boards, and the placement of the front numberboards (above the cab windows on the SD80MAC, on the nose on most SD90MACs). The SD80MAC also has recessed red marker lights in the nose, an identifying feature unique to Conrail locomotives, although Norfolk Southern (NS) has removed the lights on most of their former Conrail engines.

EMD SD80 Series
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Motors Electro-Motive Division(EMD) Model SD80MAC, SD80ACe Build date 1995–1996 (SD80MAC), 2011– (SD80ACe) Total produced 30 (SD80MAC) + 7 (SD80ACe)
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Trucks EMD HTCR II Wheel diameter 45 in (1,143 mm) Length 80 ft 2 in (24.43 m)(80MAC) 76 ft 6 in (23.32 m)(80ACe) Height 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m)(80MAC) 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)(80ACe) Loco weight 420,000 lb (191,000 kg)(80MAC) 432,500 lb (196,000 kg)(80ACe) Fuel capacity 5,800 US gal (22,000 l; 4,800 imp gal)(80MAC) 4,900 US gal (19,000 l; 4,100 imp gal)(80ACe) Prime mover EMD 20-710G3B-ES(80MAC) EMD 20-710G3C-ES(80ACe) Engine type V20 diesel Cylinders 20 Transmission diesel electric
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 mph (113 km/h) Power output 5,000 hp (3.7 MW)(80MAC) 5,300 hp (4.0 MW)(80ACe) Tractive effort Starting (80MAC): 185,000 lbf (822.92 kN) Continuous (80MAC): 147,000 lbf (653.89 kN) Starting (80ACe): 191,000 lbf (849.61 kN)
Career Operators Conrail, Norfolk Southern, CSX Class NS 7200–7228, Vale 101-107 Disposition Six sold to Canadian Pacific Railway as part source, remaining units sold to Progress Rail

All 30 SD80MAC units built were delivered to Conrail, and the 28 production units were completed, tested, and painted at the former Pennsylvania Railroad shops in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Prior to the 1995 merger with Union Pacific, Chicago and North Western Railway had placed an order of 15 locomotives. Canadian Pacific had placed an order as well but that order was changed to SD90MACs. Conrail had planned a second order of SD80MACs, but its new owners changed the order to SD70s and SD70MACs, all of which would be built at the Juniata Shops in Altoona.

Vale Mining of Brazil ordered a set of 7 updated locomotives designated as the SD80ACe model. These locomotives feature Tier 1 compliant 20-710G3C engines. The design is currently for export only, and these specific locomotives will run on Vale Mining's 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge trackage.

After the split of Conrail, the SD80MACs were split up between the Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation. Norfolk Southern received 17 units (numbered 7200–7216) while CSX got 13 (800–812, being renumbered to 4590–4602). The former Conrail units were the first AC traction locomotives owned by Norfolk Southern, with the railroad not ordering more until late 2008 with an order of General Electric's ES44AC. In late 2014, Norfolk Southern announced that they had reached an agreement with CSX Transportation to trade 12 EMD SD40-2 units (NS 3425–3447) for CSX's remaining 12 SD80MACs, leaving NS as the model's sole operator. They were delivered to the NS in April 2015.

In February 2020, Norfolk Southern sold all 29 of its remaining SD80MACs to Canadian Pacific Railway and Progress Rail. Six units, 7206, 7215, 7218, 7225, 7226 and 7227 were sold to Canadian Pacific Railway as parts sources for their recent EMD SD70ACU rebuilds. The remainder of the NS fleet went to Progress Rail.

Ex-CSX 4594, formerly CSX 804, and built as CR 4110, was scrapped in January 2014 after being used as a parts donor following a derailment in early 2009.