Introduced: 2001 (DCC-Ready SD80MAC and SD90/43MAC) and 2025 (SD70ACu and DCC-Equipped SD80MAC and SD90/43mac)
The SD80MAC and SD90/43MAC models are virtually identical, with the differences between the two basically boiling down to minor variations in the shell detailing on the front and back (in the pictures below, UP=SD90/43MAC and Conrail=SD80MAC). The SD70ACu makes use of the exact same chassis/mechanism as the earlier models, however the shell is all-new tooling.
These models employ all of the time-honored design features one normally associates with "modern" Kato diesels - shell-mounted knuckle couplers, split-frame DCC-Ready metal chassis, dual-flywheels, low-friction drive, plastic truck assemblies, blackened wheels, etc. The motor is an open-sided 5-poler with skew-winding. Directional lighting is provided by a PC board mounted on top of the chassis (white LEDs). The ditchlights (for models so equipped) have no special function (IE, no strobing or anything like that - they're just one or off according to F0). Wheels are low-profile and have no problems on Code-55 track -
My example is one of the DCC-Sound SD70ACu's that came out in 2026. The decoder is an ESU LokSound v5 Micro (#58781). As pictured below, the speaker enclosure is mounted underneath the rear LED. I'm not exactly sure which decoder Kato used for their non-sound DCC units, but they do seem to like TCS, so that would be my guess if you put a gun to my head.
All six axles are geared and all gearing is plasic. All twelve wheels provide pickup by way of dimpled axle-end wipers. There are no traction tires -
The shells are entirely plastic and offer very litle in the way of seperately applied details (a Kato tradition that is starting to feel a bit dated and stale as of this 2026 writing).
Performance is perfect in every way - super smooth, whisper quiet, flawless pickup and throttle response, no problems on narrow radius (9.75") curves, etc. Pulling power is off the charts (50+ assorted 40' freight cars through curves on level track). The sound feature is "just OK" - basically in the middle of the pack when it comes to N scale DCC Sound (IE, neither great nor bad). Overall, another super solid and super reliable Kato diesel that admittedly could benefit from the addition of a few fine details.
Prototype information -
Weighing in at more than 400,000 pounds and with a length in excess of 80 feet and massive 5,000 horsepower tractive effort, the SD80MAC is one of the heaviest, longest, and most powerful single diesel locomotives in the world. Conrail was the first railroad to receive the SD80MAC in early 1996. As it would turn out, Conrail would be the only original buyer of this locomotive, even purchasing both of the demonstrator units. CSX and Norfolk Southern have since acquired these units, using them primarily in coal service.
Weighing in at more than 400,000 pounds and with a length in excess of 80 feet and massive 4,300 horsepower tractive effort, the SD90/43MAC is one of the heaviest, longest, and most powerful single diesel locomotives in the world. To date, there have been three production "versions" of the SD90MAC. The SD90/43MAC was originally designed with a 6,000 hp engine in mind, but was fitted with a smaller and more reliable 4,300hp engine that ended up being kept that way by most railroads, even though the option to upgrade to the higher horsepower engine was offered at a later date.
In many ways, the SD70ACu is a modified SD90MAC. The SD90MAC struggled to find a place on US and Canadian Railroads in the 90's. While Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific purchased many of these engines, smaller railroads felt alienated from the gigantic prime movers which limited the SD90MAC's operational use. In 2016, Norfolk Southern decided to convert several SD90MACs to SD70ACu's, with the Siemens tech being swapped out for Mitsubishi components and the cabs being replaced by SD70ACe cabs. Canadian Pacific decided to rebuild their collection of SD90MAC's as well. However, rather than going to Norfolk Southern to rebuild these engines, they instead reached out to Progress Rail. 60 SD70ACu's were delivered in 2019, with the order containing several heritage units. These special heritage units were used to commemorate different branches of the US and Canadian Army.
Features (SD80MAC and SD90/43MAC) -
- Powerful five-pole KATO motor with dual brass flywheels
- Directional Headlight and preprinted numberboards
- Kato magnetic knuckle coupler
- DCC Friendly mechanism ready for drop-in decoder installation, compatible with the Digitrax DN163K2 or Train Control Systems K2D4
Features (SD70ACu) -
- Developed from the ground up with all-new tooling, this release marks the most modern N scale diesel locomotive in Kato's lineup to date
- Appropriate headlight placements (nose-mounted headlights for Canadian Pacific and cab-mounted headlights for Norfolk Southern)
- Each locomotive showcases the distinctive paint schemes of the Canadian Pacific Heritage Fleet, meticulously reproduced in N scale
- Powerful five-pole KATO motor with dual brass flywheels
- Directional headlight and preprinted number boards
- Kato magnetic knuckle coupler
- DCC Friendly mechanism ready for drop-in decoder installation
- Front and Rear Ditch lights
Shell Removal -
Shell removal is pretty simple - just take hold of the fuel tank with one hand and the shell with the other, then just sort of wiggle the shell up and off.
Grade: A (for all)
Reviewed: 9/01 Model Railroader- "Like the real things, the very first thing you notice about Kato's new N scale SD80 and '90MACs is the size - these are big engines. Even in N scale the locomotive achieves a presence normally found only in larger scales. Combine this presence with an outstanding mechanism, excellent tooling, and accurate paint and lettering and you have a locomotive that N scalers will stand up and notice... The Kato models capture the differences between the SD80 and SD90 in a way that would have been unheard of in N scale motive power just a few years ago. Comparing the models to plans of the SD80MAC and the SD90MAC reveals that the models matched all significant dimensions. The modelwork is outstanding. You can see the fan blades inside the roof intakes, and the cab window frames are sharply molded, but I was especially impressed with the truck sideframes. These locomotives ride on EMD's latest radial self-steering truck and, with its 45" wheels and 82" axle spacing, the HTCR-II is visibly different than earlier trucks. The model's trucks are beauties, with lots of depth and every detail, down to the chains, clearly visible.
"The locomotive is essentially ready-to-run, although you do need to install the front corner grab irons and prepainted number boards... The paint and lettering on our locomotives were neatly applied with sharp color separations and crisp lettering. Among the neatest touches are the warning placards to the hoods... Of note is the slight "dip" in the side stripes on all our samples. This isn't a flaw in the paint job, as you'll notice this same dip on the real locomotives. Apparently it was to get the stripe beneath the battery box doors... The model comes equipped with Kato knuckle couplers... These are big locomotives - over 6" - but amazingly they can negotiate 9 3/4"-radius curves... The mechanism follows the familiar split-frame design with the motor and two flywheels nestled into the frame. Our samples started silky smooth right out of the box. The model should handle about 24 freight cars on straight, level track. The white LED headlights and ditch lights (a cool touch) are very bright - and frankly appear too blue for my taste... DCC decoder installation is a snap... The (Digitrax) decoder comes with yellow LEDs and instructions for replacing them with the white ones from the locomotive. All the wheels on our samples match an NMRA standards gauge, and the coupler height matched a Micro-Trains coupler gauge. Fans of big modern power will be overjoyed with these new locomotives as the big, boxy beasts have an appeal all their own. Conrail, CP, UP. $104.98"