The SD60MACs that EMD painted for Burlington Northern were tested thoroughly, and the merits of A.C. traction burgeoned. BN signed a $675 million order for 350 4,000 hp A.C. traction SD70MACs from EMD, sight unseen, based on the SD60MAC’s performance on the road. With that simple stroke of the pen, the A.C. revolution was underway. On July 6, 2001, BN SD70MAC No. 9702 leads a westbound unit coal train on Montana Rail Link at Livingston, Montana. BN SD70MACs were commonly called “Grinsteins” after BN Chairman Gerald Grinstein, who was influential in the development of BN’s final paint scheme.
