Railroad Trains for the Soul: Conrail SD80MAC Familiarization Video
Check out the fabulous operator familiarization video of the largest locomotives ever built for the Consolidated Rail Corporation: the Electro-Motive SD80MAC! There are so many exciting things to cover. Learn the physical differences between the SD80MAC and the SD60I (I for "isolated cab"). Both models were unique to Conrail and they do have EMD's isolated WhisperCab, but the SD80 has a better one due to such improvements as the relocation of the dynamic brake grids.
You'll also learn about the 80MAC's HTCR (high-traction, three-axle, radial) truck and the AC traction system, both compared to the non-radial HT-C truck and a DC traction system. We'll tour around the locomotive body with the heart of the SD80MAC: the 5,000 horsepower, 20-cylinder 710 diesel engine. Inside the cab, you'll see the engineer's desktop control console and the back wall panel with circuit breakers and diesel engine controls. Experience several procedures such as how to start up the engine, how to use the EMD Integrated Cab Electronics (ICE) computer, and how to apply and release the electric parking brake. There's even an SD80MAC painted in the EMD demonstrator scheme prior to its delivery.
You'll be amazed of how powerful and reliable this locomotive would be with the help of the HTCR trucks and AC traction motors that maximize its tractive effort. The entire training video is split into five YouTube clips, so I created a playlist for your viewing convenience. Whether you're growing up to be a railroad engineer or you're just having fun in your spare time, the Conrail SD80MAC familiarization video is a great tour of how this beast works!
Conrail SD80MAC Familiarization Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5