So, in recent posts, I've made some comments about how DTG doesn't really maximize locomotive potential, in both paint schemes and variations. With some thoughts on new US freight units, I figure Union Pacific's massive SD70M fleet would be a good example on how they could maximize 1 loco for a railroad with a loco DLC. This loco DLC could add content for Sherman Hill, Cane Creek, Peninsula Corridor, Cajon Pass, and Antelope Valley Union Pacific rosters 1,452 of these units, numbered UP 3778 to 5231, skipping 3985 (Due to the then active Challenger on the roster) 4014 (Renumbered to a wrecked unit due to the Big Boy) 4141 (Renumbered due to the George Bush Unit) 4332 (Renumbered to 1979 for the special WE ARE ONE unit) and 4690 and 4691 (Renumbered to 2001 and 2002 for the Olympic Units). With UP's SD70M's being build over a period of 4 years from 2000 to 2004 plus the 25 units they've acquired from the Southern Pacific, there is quite alot of variations and combos that can be used to give a nice mix just for the loco itself. Across the roster there are these changes.... -3 cab layouts (Desktop, Desktop w/ FIRE screen, and AAR w/ FIRE screen) -3 Long Hood Radiator Configurations (Flat, 2 screen flared, 4 screen flared) -2 Nose types (Standard and "Notched") -3 Standard Paint Schemes (Patched SP, Wings w/ Lettering & Wings w/ Flag) Note, for consistency sake with the existing SD70ACe and AC4400CW, these will be the post 2005 Union Pacific with Yellow Side sills, not the pre 2005 red ones. Cab types Desktop (UP 4450) Desktop but with a PTC screen installed on the left (Unknown Unit) AAR Control Stand w/ FIRE screen (UP 5186) 1. Ex-Southern Pacific SD70M ( UP 3974-3984, 3986-3999 ) So, the 1st version would be the 25 units that the UP got when they bought the SP in 1996. These units were built in 1994. Once the UP acquired them, they grew interest in the units, which lead to the large order of them in the coming years. These units differed slightly to the early units that UP eventually got, having a slightly different ditch light mounts, and when repainted, some had a notably lower Wings logo on the nose. Patched units still had a window on the nose door. Body: Flat Nose: Standard Cab: Desktop Paint: Patched SP or Wing's with lettering or Wings with Flag UP 3986 (Patched SP) UP 3988 (Repainted with lettering) UP 3979 (Repainted with Flag) 2. Phase 1 ( UP 1979, 3778, 4000-4013, 4015-4525, 4529-4689, 4692-4709 ) The 1st orders of SD70M's that came to UP's roster. They were pretty much identical to the SP ones aside from the ditchlight mounts. This order includes UP 1979, which is the only Special Unit that could legally come to TSW. UP 4015 is also in this order, which was given a small cosmetic change to run with Big Boy 4014. Though that unit and paint would be better off being released with 4014 (If it ever comes to TSW) Body: Flat Nose: Standard Cab: Desktop Paint: Wing's with lettering, Special (1979,4015) UP 4339 UP 1979 WE ARE ONE unit UP 4015 with Green Anti-Glare paint and special UP 4015 steam logo 3. Phase 2 ( UP 3874-3970, 4635-4639, 4710-4836, 4850-5126 ) The 2nd phase of the standard SD70M, these were the 1st units with the Flare radiators for Tier 1 emission standards. These are the units that are represented in TSC. Early builds still had the lettering while later ones came with the flag scheme. UP 4635 to 4639 were testbeds for this configuration from the previous build order. Body: Flared 2 screen Nose: Standard Cab: Desktop Paint: Wings with lettering, Wings with flag UP 4850 with Lettering UP 4884 with Flag 4. Phase 2 w/ Notched Cabs (UP 3971-3973, 4837-4849) These units were the 1st to be equipped with Notched Noses (Which would be seen on later EMD locos like the SD70ACe) and "FIRE" screen controls. Body: Flared 2 screen Nose: Notched Cab: Desktop w/ FIRE Screens Paint: Wings with flag UP 3973 w/ UP 3907, note the Notched nose on 3973 5. Phase 3 (UP 3779-3873) Pretty much identical to the Phase 2 units, with the only main difference being the rear radiator being split into 4 quadrants, vs the original 2 piece flares) Body: Flared 4 screen Nose: Standard Cab: Desktop Paint: Wings with flag UP 3779 6. Phase 3 w/ notched cabs & AAR control stands (UP 5127-5231) The final SD70M's delivered to UP before the switch over to the SD70ACe. These units like with the Phase 2 ones had a notched cab nose on them with the FIRE screens. The additional part were the reintroduction of the AAR style control stand, and 26L air brakes installed. UP 5231, the last SD70M delivered. While I doubt DTG would ever probably put the effort in to make something like this, just thought I gave it a rundown on what could easily be a good loco DLC for TSW. A good photo showing the 3 basic SD70M phases with an SD70ACe. I also didn't mention the Olympic Units as those are impossible to license.
The UP SD70Ms (and SP ones too) would be perfect for any of the UP routes. I see these occasionally around Las Vegas (where I live) and also on Cajon, as UP rosters a huge number of them. I wonder if UP will start rebuilding their SD70Ms like they did with their SD60M to SD59MX rebuilds. If we get UP SD70Ms, I'd also like to see some new rolling stock, including military loaded flatcars, intermodal cars, steel coil cars, cement hoppers, autoracks, etc. We should get UP SD70Ms in all phases for variation. Perhaps we could also get SD70MACs in BNSF, CSX (including SD70AC rebuilds), Conrail, NS (SD70ACC rebuild), and BN liveries. I'd also love to see Alaska RR SD70MACs on a future ARR route. Also, we should get ATSF/BNSF SD75Ms and BNSF, CN, NS, and ON SD75Is, plus Progress Rail Leasing units (as BNSF sold many of their SD75Ms to PR).
This Is late but if they did add the SD70M they should add the option for a red stripe version and the number font be made the correct size and the building America font the correct one since I posted a thread with the correct font
WHY I ask? as only 2 Major railroads used them, and now only Union Pacific may use them, License is the problem. Yeah, I just got to this post boredom at the moment. SD70M isn't anything special, hardly even used now a days. Year period route or Routes as you may have another depending on time period. But still worthless unit in my opinion. Number #8356 & #8404 UP Ace isn't a Lead unit there known as a Thunder-Cab's wouldn't work. Next!
