Description
In the mid-1990s, the race for high-horsepower freight power was on, and EMD answered with the SD70MAC — the first AC-traction six-axle road locomotive built in significant numbers. A 16-cylinder 710 prime mover delivered 4,000 hp (later 4,300 hp) and AC traction motors gave it the slow-speed lugging ability that made it a benchmark for heavy coal and intermodal service. Burlington Northern (and then BNSF) became the largest customer with over 780 units, CSX rostered 220 (including 130 with the iconic flared radiators), TFM/KCS took 75, and Alaska Railroad ordered 32 — a dozen of them fitted with HEP for true freight/passenger duty.
By the 2010s the fleet was being rebuilt for Tier-1 emissions, and Metra famously took 42 units and turned them into 80-mph HEP commuter locomotives — bringing six-axle power back to daily commuter service for the first time since the F40C. Rapido's HO SD70MAC captures all of these variations on its initial run, including the flared-radiator CSX/Metra body — a first in plastic for HO. The model features a heavy die-cast frame, full interior cab details, metal grab irons, photo-etched steps with fold-over edges, rubber sanding lines, road-specific horns and roof details, full traction motor casing details on the HTCR trucks with rotating bearing caps, and Rapido's signature dead-straight metal handrails with plastic stanchions.
Each model is offered in two configurations: DC/DCC-ready (Silent) and Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound with an ESU LokSound 5 decoder. A MoPower capacitor system keeps the locomotive running smoothly over dirty track, full lighting includes track lights, step lights, and walkway lights, and metal Macdonald-Cartier knuckle couplers are body-mounted. Suggested minimum radius is 22". Pre-orders require a 25% deposit; balance is collected when stock lands at the store.
This unit: Burlington Northern Executive Scheme (Grinstein Green/Cream/Red), road #9589. Era: 1995+
- First time in plastic: Metra, CSX, BNSF and KCS rebuild variations with raised dynamic-brake hatch and flared radiators where appropriate
- Heavy die-cast frame, full interior cab, metal grab irons, rubber sanding lines
- HTCR trucks with rotating bearing caps and full traction motor casing details
- Rapido dead-straight metal handrails with plastic stanchions; etched-metal steps with fold-over edges
- Full lighting package: headlights, ditch lights, track lights, step lights, walkway lights; Metra units include Gyralite, marker and emergency lights
- DC/Silent (DCC ready) or Dual-Mode DC/DCC/Sound with ESU LokSound 5
- MoPower capacitor for uninterrupted DCC running; metal knuckle couplers
- Suggested minimum radius: 22"
📦 Preorder details:
Expected ship date: see the Rapido Product Delivery Schedule for the latest dates
25% deposit required at checkout, balance charged when product ships.
Preorder cancellation: 7 days from order date; deposit non-refundable after that.
Browse more from Rapido Trains and our HO scale collection, or see all preorders. Ships from Oakville, Ontario. Contact us for special orders.