Athearn Genesis G66254 HO EMD GP39-2u Santa Fe ATSF 3418

In the decade between 1974 and 1984, EMD produced the GP39-2 for seven North American railroads. The basic design followed most four axle road diesel switchers for the time. Borrowing improvements from the GP38-2 and GP40-2 designs, this mid-horsepower road switcher utilized a turbocharged 12-cylinder EMD 645E3 diesel engine for its prime mover. With 4 fewer cylinders, the smaller engine provided a distinctive long hood on the phase II and phase III bodies, where the clean room/engine compartment doors were set back from the cab further than predecessor locomotives.

Sensitivity to fuel economy in the 1970s justified the GP39-2 in the locomotive market. It also laid the ground work for EMD to start exploring locomotive designs that utilize engines with larger piston displacement yet possess fewer cylinders. This approach has become the foundation to modern locomotive technology.

Starting in 1986, Santa Fe rebuilt 50 GP39-2’s in their Cleburne, TX shops, designating them as “GP39-2u’s”. The “u” stood for “upgrade” which was a common term for Santa Fe rebuilds during this time. Other than the mechanical and electrical upgrades, Santa Fe added some unique details that distinguish these from their non-rebuild counterparts. These changes include: Fuel tank moved to the rear, new “swing out” style number boards, new style exhaust stack, and added an equipment door to the right side hood, just behind the cab. They also featured “switcher” style walkway steps for crew comfort during switching moves. A few even received modified corrugated radiator grilles.

FEATURES:

• New Santa Fe phase 1 GP39-2u body with corrugated grilles — First time in Genesis!
• Illuminated “Swing out” style number boards
• Stratolight Beacon (effect in DCC)
• Newly tooled exhaust stack
• Removed class lights
• “Switcher” style walkway steps
• Rear mounted fuel tank
• Large front anticlimber
• #3418
• New PH 1 body with corrugated grilles
• Nathan 3-chime horn
• Added access equipment door behind cab
• Coupler cut levers
• Trainline and MU hoses
• Drop steps unless noted
• MU stands
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Walkway tread
• Sanding lines
• Lit number boards
• Lit class lights, if equipped
• Lit signal lights and/or beacons, if equipped
• Bell placement & type per prototype
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, and breather pipes
• Blomberg-B or Blomberg-M trucks with appropriate bearing caps
• Speed recorder unless noted
• See-through cab windows and full cab interior
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Etched metal fan grilles
• Air tanks mounted below sill unless noted
• Body-mounted McHenry® scale knuckle couplers – Kadee® compatible
• DCC-ready features Quick Plug™ plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector
• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more
• Accurately painted and printed paint schemes
• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation
• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
• LED Lighting for realistic appearance
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18”

SPECIFICATIONS:

• DCC: Ready/21-Pin NEM
• SOUND: Ready
• PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURER: EMD
• Axles: 4
• LIGHTED: LED Lighting
• Minimum Age Recommendation: 14 years
• Is Assembly Required: No