OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific received the first three of 73 SD70ACes on order in Laredo, Texas, today. Numbered UP 8711, 8712, and 8713, the three were assembled at Bombardier Transportation’s Sahagun, Mexico, plant which has constructed diesels under contract for EMD since 1997.
 
Prior to the closing of EMD’s London, Ont., plant, 60 of the 73 units on order were to be assembled in Sahagun, with the remaining 13 units assembled in London. It’s currently unknown where final assembly of the remaining 13 will occur.
 
Road numbers for the 73 locomotives will be UP 8711-8784. Union Pacific will ship the units assembled in Sahagun to Proviso yard near Chicago for setup prior to being released for service. When complete, UnionPacific will roster nearly 500 SD70ACes. — Chris Guss