Train Simulator: Norfolk Southern SD70ACU

ABOUT THIS CONTENT

In recent times, Norfolk Southern, thanks to its historic and legendary Altoona (Pennsylvania) Shops, has become renowned for creating innovative and often unique remanufactured diesel locomotives – and among such is the distinctive Norfolk Southern SD70ACU.

Now, you can climb aboard the powerful Norfolk Southern SD70ACU, as created by developer Travel by Train, to haul heavy tonnage in Train Simulator Classic!

During the years 1995-2000, Electro-Motive introduced and constructed its SD90MAC series of diesels which, in ultimate form, was to be a leviathan, six-axle (C-C) 6,000-horsepower locomotive powered by EMD’s then-new twin-turbo 265H power plant. Eventually, 410 SD90MAC locomotives powered by EMD’s existing 4,300 horsepower 710-series engine and 68 6,000-horsepower, 265H-powered locomotives were constructed. But the SD90MAC, and in particular the 265H engine, was beset with various teething problems and only Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific, and leasing company CIT were original buyers.

Within a decade of their construction, many of the SD90MACs were placed in storage, but in 2016 Norfolk Southern began acquiring and rebuilding SD90-series locomotives at Altoona Shops into its SD70ACU classification. The remanufacturing process was extensive and all SD70ACU locomotives would be powered with EMD 16-cylinder 710G3C power plants (rated between 4,300- and 4,500-horsepower) and re-equipped with EMD SD70ACe-style cabs, AAR-style control stands, and Mitsubishi electronics. The remanufactured locomotives were capable of DPU (distributed power unit) operation, and a number of units were equipped with Helperlink equipment.

From 2016 to 2019, Norfolk Southern added 110 SD70ACU units (NS road numbers 7229-7339) to its roster, with the burly six-axle diesels serving throughout much of the sprawling NS system. A number of the SD70ACUs were favorites of railroad enthusiasts for being regularly assigned as helpers on the railroad’s famed Horseshoe Curve crossing of the Alleghenies. Today, more than 40 of the distinctive diesels remain in Norfolk Southern main line service and the SD70ACU type also serves Canadian Pacific.

Created by Travel by Train, the Norfolk Southern SD70ACU for Train Simulator Classic wears the railroad’s attractive “Thoroughbred” livery and features an authentic cab, AAR-style control stand, and realistic performance and air braking functions. The pack also includes three career scenarios putting the SD70ACU to work on the Train Simulator Classic Norfolk Southern Coal District route (route available separately), and the locomotive is Quick-Drive compatible.

The Norfolk Southern SD70ACU: Big, potent, unique – and now ready for heavy-haul service in Train Simulator Classic!

Included Scenarios

The Norfolk Southern SD70ACU Loco Add-On includes 3 career scenarios for the Norfolk Southern Coal District route:

• Pennsylvania Coalfields
  
• A care challenge
  
• Another one leaving

More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!

Key Features

• Norfolk Southern EMD/Altoona 4,500-horsepower, six-axle SD70ACU diesel locomotive
  
• Norfolk Southern “Thoroughbred” livery
  
• Authentic cab, AAR-style controls, and operating performance
  
• Realistic air braking functions
  
• Three career scenarios on the Norfolk Southern Coal District route
  
• Quick Drive compatible
  
• Download size: 217 MB