HO G2 SD80MAC with DCC & Sound, Ex-CR NS #7212

HO G2 SD80MAC with DCC & Sound, Ex-CR NS #7212 Overview

After the 1999 split of CR, a batch of SD80MAC's went to NS. They were hastily patched into new NS numbers while keeping the original CR scheme for a while.

With the increase in available adhesion and tractive effort due to AC-traction technology, an unofficial horsepower race between the two dominant locomotive builders was on.

The SD80MAC was the first EMD locomotive to utilize a V20 engine since the SD45 series. For Conrail, the SD80MACs were the first AC-traction diesel locomotives on the roster. These locomotives became Conrail's choice for handling long and heavy coal trains on their Pittsburgh and Boston Lines, also over their Allegheny Mountain routes in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York.

After the split-up of Conrail in 1999, the SD80MACs went to CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern. Eventually NS traded with CSX to acquire the remaining SD80MACs becoming the sole operator of these models to date.