page_title: EMD SD70 series
section_title: SD70ACe/LCi (2005-Present)
hierarchical_section_title: EMD SD70 series / Models / SD70ACe/LCi (2005-Present)
caption_attribution_description: English: BHP Billiton Iron Ore EMD SD70ACe locomotives nos. 4308 Cowra (left) and 4373 (right), at the head of a loaded train at Nelson Point yard, Port Hedland, the northern end of the Mount Newman railway, Western Australia.
context_page_description: The EMD SD70 is a series of road switcher diesel-electric locomotives produced by Electro-Motive Diesel in response to the GE Dash 9-44CW. Production commenced in late 1992 and since then over 5,700 units have been produced; most of these are the SD70M and SD70MAC models. All locomotives of this series are hood units with C-C trucks, except the SD70ACe-P4 which has a B1-1B wheel configuration, and the SD70ACe-BB, which has a B-B-B-B wheel arrangement.
  Superseding the HT-C truck, a new bolsterless radial HTCR truck was fitted to all EMD SD70s built 1992-2002; in 2003 the non-radial HTSC truck was made standard on the SD70ACe and SD70M-2 models; the radial HTCR truck remained available as an option.
context_section_description: The SD70ACe/LCi is a low clearance, export version of the SD70ACe. The LCi in the model designation stands for Low Clearance international as these locomotives are designed to negotiate the tight clearances under the mine equipment. External differences between the SD70ACe and SD70ACe/LCi models include the addition of marker lights, number boards located lower on the nose rather than on top of the cab, windscreen protector panels (to deflect abrasive iron ore when in mid train position), fire suppression canisters, louvre style vents, different horn and subtle differences with handrails.
  In 2004, BHP Billiton ordered a first batch of 14 SD70ACe/LCi locomotives for use on iron ore trains in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. It operated in 2015 a fleet of 23 SD70ACe/LCi locomotives beside of 142 standard SD70ACe, from which the newest locomotives are built in 2014.
  The first member of the class (4300) was purchased for parts and dismantled upon arrival in Australia. This was because it was cheaper to purchase a complete locomotive than buy the components individually. The first batch of SD70ACe/LCi's (4301-4313) was ordered in 2004 and named after sidings on the BHP system. Since it did not have the newer, isolated cab of the second and subsequent batches it was traded in to the supplier for locomotives with newer cab assemblies.
  The second batch of locomotives (4314-4323) arrived between August and November 2006.
  An order for a third batch of 13 SD70ACe/LCi's (4334-4346) was placed in August 2007, but such was the demand for locomotive power in the Pilbara region, a deal was done with BNSF Railway for BHP Billiton to purchase ten standard North American SD70ACes (4324-4333) that were in build as their 9166, 9167, 9184-9191. Construction was sufficiently advanced when the deal was concluded for them to have been painted, hence they were delivered in BNSF orange livery. Some modifications have been made to bring them in line with the rest of the fleet. A fifth batch of SD70ACe's (Numbers 4347-4355) was delivered in July 2009.
  An additional 18 units (numbers 4356-4373) were delivered in the second half of 2010, bringing the total of SD70ACe type locomotives in service to 72. In March 2012, BHP Billiton ordered a further 80.
  In July 2012 fellow Pilbara operator, Fortescue Metals Group, took the delivery of the first of a fleet of 19, later extended to 21 (701-721).
  In 2018, some BHP SD70ACe/LCis were sold to Montana Rail Link.
caption: BHP Billiton Iron Ore's 4308 & 4373 at Nelson Point yard, Port Hedland in April 2012
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