UP 3047 is one of roughly 200 SD70ACe-T4s that Union Pacific has on its roster. For the past decade, the EPA has mandated extremely strict emissions standards (known as "Tier-4" standards) for diesel-electric locomotives. Both Union Pacific and GE have locomotives that meet the requirements, but neither has experienced great success with sales in the United States. These units are more expensive up front, more expensive to maintain, and tend to be less reliable due to their complexity. Consequently, while a handful are in service, most railroads have instead created their own in-house rebuild program for older locomotives that are exempt, rather than spend extra money on purchases.
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