Electro-Motive designers re-worked its 16-cylinder prime mover to be more fuel-efficient and to meet tougher environmental emissions requirements.
Improvments were made in just about every aspect: from crewmember ergonomics to ease of maintenance access and extended shop schedules.
The diesel-electric locomotive, which uses AC instead of more-traditional DC traction motors, has proven itself more than capable of handling both fast trains and heavy trains (reducing a railroad’s need to keep two types of equipment on its roster).
Although the SD70ACe is pricier than a comparable DC locomotive, more than 1,000 SD70ACes have been ordered by railroads such as BNSF, CSX, Ferromex, Kansas City Southern, Montana Rail Link, Ferrominera Orinoco, Union Pacific, and Australia’s Broken Hills Properties ore railroad.
Don’t miss a video of the MTH SD70ACe running on one of our test tracks.
Opening the box
How does a model locomotive generate ohhs and ahhs? Primarily with little details one wouldn’t expect to see.
Normally, models of steam locomotives win hands-down in the details department because they are built inside out. Pipes, chains, conduit, compressors, and an elaborate external drive system all combine to make a steamer visually rich.
Diesels have had a longer row to hoe in the detail department, because their locomotive bodies hide most of the workings. Exterior details usually consist of doors, seams, hatches, and rivets. Pretty unexciting stuff.
In recent years, see-through screens, filters, and radiators; add-on horns, lift rings, and sand lines; and functional items like opening doorways and lift-up pilot bridges have been added to many O gauge diesels, raising the bar.
Now comes MTH’s Premier line SD70ACe. Two things were quickly evident when I removed the locomotive from its box. MTH has raised its level of diesel detail, and the real-life SD70ACe clearly offers a treasure trove of body features unlike any locomotive this side of a steamer. But don’t take my word for it; the photos speak for themselves.
Paint application on our sample was top notch, with lines clearly delineated and no instances of over-spray. The graphics (such as the Electro Motive builder’s plate and various safety warning signs) are clean and crisp.
This model, with a few slight body tooling changes, is also available in more traditional CSX and BNSF paint schemes and is the basis of MTH’s colorful Union Pacific heritage diesel series.
Here is a free PDF of an SD70ACe color illustration.
The SD70ACe requires O-42 or larger curves. By my measurement, the length of the model’s frame is 72 feet in O scale (18 inches) compared to the prototype’s 70 feet 1 inch.
As with all new Premier line locomotives, the SD70ACe comes with ProtoSound 2.0 components inside. The startup sounds are impressive. There is a nice wind-up as the pistons kick in, and once under way acceleration sounds are first-rate. The blast of the MTH diesel horn is superb, and the bell is similarly realistic.
Using MTH’s Digital Command System, all ProtoSound 2.0 features, including a healthy smoke unit, functioned as advertised. I like DCS control over the model’s ditch lights, which can be made to flash alternately when under way.
Drawbar pull for the beefy 6 pound 8 ounce locomotive was 2 pounds 3 ounces. Our low-speed test average, aided by MTH’s speed-control components, was 5 scale mph. The high-speed average was 66.7 scale mph.
While I’m fond of many diesels, the SD70ACe steals my heart – I love the level of detail on both the prototype and the MTH model. Take into account that it’s a solid puller and has a terrific sound package, and this big fella moves to the head of the toy train pack.
Price: $429.95 (no. 20-2622-1), $169.95 (no. 20-2622-3 nonpowered)
Features: O-42 operation, two can-style motors, coil couplers
Pros: Exceptional level of detail, smooth motor operation, sound system that will bring a smile to your face
Cons: None
Made in the People’s Republic of China for MTH Electric Trains
I have a number of MTH's SD 70 ACe's including; the W.P. heritage, the MRL, and the just purchased and; en route, Union Pacific (American flag) version(s). I, also, have the, recently released, CN SD 70M-2. These locomotives, in my opinion, are stars in modern railroading; and model railroading. My new CN SD 70M-2 is superb. MTH did the right thing and made a proper DC version; it even has low mounted white ditch lights on the rear. I can't wait to see my UP version.
A real great engine. Awesome sound, smooth operation and a very colorful paint scheme. Looking forward to the UP Heritage series.
I also recently purchased the CSX version of this unit and wow! I agree, the more rent diesels that Mike has been recently putting out truly raised the bar in appearance as well as operation! Kudos to MTH!
I recently purchased a similar MTH SD70M-2 nonpowered unit — even without the motors, this puppy is considerably heavier than some of my larger powered units (e.g. SD90MAC). Decoration and detail on my unit are the best I've seen to date!