Norfolk Southern, Progress Rail Announce Major SD70ICC Locomotive Modernization Program
Published: March 14, 2026
By: Adam Burns
ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern Railway has announced a significant locomotive modernization initiative in partnership with Progress Rail Services Corporation that will rebuild 96 existing road locomotives into a new configuration designated SD70ICC. The program represents another step in the railroad’s long-term strategy to modernize its motive-power fleet while improving operational efficiency and reliability across its network.
The project will rebuild NS's SD70M-2s, originally equipped with traditional direct-current (DC) traction motors, into advanced AC-traction locomotives using Progress Rail’s Individual Axle Control (IAC) technology. Deliveries of the modernized locomotives are expected to begin in 2027, with the full fleet completed by 2029.
The modernization program reflects a growing industry trend among North American freight railroads to upgrade existing locomotives rather than purchase entirely new units—allowing railroads to extend service life while adopting newer traction, control, and efficiency technologies.
A file photo of Norfolk Southern's two testbed SD70ICCs, #1251 and #1250. These engines were built in August, 2023 from former SD70M-2s #2674 and #2686 respectively. The locomotives feature an SD70ACe isolated cab, AAR-style control stand, electrical cabinet with Mitsubishi electronics, a new main alternator, and weight increase to 432,000 pounds.From SD70M-2 to SD70ICC
The locomotives slated for conversion are part of Norfolk Southern’s fleet of EMD SD70M-2 road freight locomotives, a model widely used on heavy mainline trains. Through the rebuild program, Progress Rail will replace the original DC traction systems with modern AC traction equipment, a technology that has become standard for heavy-haul freight locomotives due to its superior adhesion and pulling power.
The rebuilt units will receive the designation SD70ICC, a model already represented by a small number of prototype conversions completed in recent years.
AC traction locomotives offer a number of advantages over traditional DC designs. These include improved adhesion when starting or hauling heavy trains, reduced maintenance requirements for traction motors, and more sophisticated electronic controls that optimize power delivery to each axle. According to Progress Rail, the upgrade will significantly enhance performance across Norfolk Southern’s network—particularly in challenging terrain or during heavy-tonnage operations.
About The SD70M-2
The SD70M-2 fleet was built in 2005 and 2006 and numbered 2649-2778, giving the railroad a total of 130 units. The model was EMD’s DC-traction, Tier 2-compliant evolution of the SD70 line, using a 16-cylinder 710G3C-T2 prime mover rated at 4,300 horsepower. Compared with earlier SD70 variants, the SD70M-2 introduced updated electronics and emissions-compliant hardware while retaining the basic six-axle, C-C road freight configuration that had become standard for heavy mainline service.
Although the SD70M-2 was a capable road locomotive, the industry’s steady shift toward AC traction eventually made DC-equipped units less desirable for the most demanding freight assignments. Norfolk Southern has already experimented with SD70ICC rebuilds on a small scale, and the new 96-unit order dramatically expands that concept. In effect, the railroad is using the SD70M-2 as the platform for a second life — keeping the proven frame, carbody, and 710 engine architecture while upgrading the traction and control systems to modern AC standards.
Major Performance Improvements
A key feature of the SD70ICC conversion is Individual Axle Control (IAC), an advanced traction system that regulates power separately to each axle. This allows the locomotive to maximize adhesion and maintain traction even when track conditions vary beneath different wheels.
The improvements are substantial. Under the new configuration:
- Three SD70ICC locomotives can haul the same tonnage as four SD70M-2 units, reducing the number of locomotives required for a given train.
- The rebuild program is expected to increase haulage capacity by roughly 55 percent.
- Reliability improvements could reach about 40 percent compared with the existing fleet.
- Fuel efficiency is projected to improve by approximately 3 percent.
- Each rebuilt locomotive will receive a 20-year service life extension.
The enhanced performance will allow Norfolk Southern to operate heavier trains with fewer locomotives, helping reduce fuel consumption and operating costs while improving network capacity.
Specifications
The rebuilt locomotives will retain the robust mechanical foundation of the SD70M-2 while incorporating extensive electrical and control upgrades.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | EMD SD70ICC |
| Owner | Norfolk Southern |
| Builder / Rebuilder | Progress Rail (EMD) |
| Rebuilt From | EMD SD70M-2 |
| Wheel Arrangement | C-C |
| Traction Type | AC traction |
| Control System | Individual Axle Control (IAC) |
| Prime Mover | EMD 16-cylinder 710 engine (remanufactured) |
| Horsepower | 4,300 hp |
| Engine Management | Caterpillar Advanced Diesel Engine Management (ADEM) |
| Program Size | 96 locomotives |
| Delivery Schedule | 2027-2029 |
| Performance Improvement | Three SD70ICC units can do the work of four legacy SD70M-2s |
| Estimated Haulage Increase | Up to 55% |
| Estimated Reliability Improvement | Up to 40% |
| Estimated Fuel Efficiency Improvement | About 3% |
| Service Life Extension | 20 years |
Each locomotive will feature a remanufactured 16-cylinder EMD 710 engine rated at 4,300 horsepower, paired with upgraded electronic control systems and Caterpillar’s Advanced Diesel Engine Management platform.
The modernization will also significantly reduce unscheduled maintenance related to traction motors—an important factor in improving locomotive availability.
Part of NS’s Fleet Modernization Strategy
The SD70ICC program forms part of Norfolk Southern’s broader initiative to simplify and modernize its locomotive fleet. Over the past decade, the railroad has pursued several rebuild programs—including the SD70ACC and SD70ACU—that convert older DC-traction locomotives to AC traction designs.
By pursuing these rebuilds, the railroad can extend the life of existing assets while gradually standardizing around a smaller number of locomotive models. Norfolk Southern has indicated that it ultimately hopes to reduce the number of locomotive types in its fleet from 13 to just four, simplifying maintenance and parts logistics.
Today, nearly 90 percent of Norfolk Southern’s road locomotives already utilize AC traction, reflecting the industry’s shift toward higher-adhesion locomotive technology for heavy freight service. The SD70ICC rebuilds will further accelerate that transition.
Improving Efficiency and Sustainability
Railroads increasingly view modernization programs like the SD70ICC initiative as a way to achieve both economic and environmental goals. Rebuilding locomotives requires significantly fewer resources than constructing entirely new units, while still delivering meaningful gains in efficiency and reliability.
For Norfolk Southern, the program also supports long-term operational resilience. The improved traction performance allows locomotives to better handle heavy tonnage, steep grades, and adverse weather conditions—factors that can affect network fluidity.
By combining modern traction systems with proven EMD mechanical components, the SD70ICC conversions aim to deliver a more powerful, reliable, and efficient locomotive fleet capable of meeting growing freight demand in the decades ahead.
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