Product Title: Athearn Genesis ATHG64538 Southern Railway GP39X 4602x Diesel locomotive DCC READY HO SCALE
Manufacturer: Athearn
Scale: HO
Condition: Item Condition: C-10, Box Condition P-10
Operational Status: This item is brand-new and is assumed to be fully operational according to the manufacturer's specifications.
TCA Condition/Grading Standards: C-10: Mint—Brand New: all original; unused and unblemished.
TCA Box Grading Standards: P-10: Mint—Brand New: Complete and all original as manufactured and unused.
Photos: See photos
Manufacturer Information:
SOU FEATURES:
• Late EMD style step wells
• Large pointed style anticlimber
• Small cab sunshades
• Long hood mounted walkway lights
• Firecracker antennas
• EMD Blomberg M style truck sideframes
• 3600 gallon fuel tank
• GP50 style late corugated radiator grilles with Q-fans
• Front and rear mounted 3-chime air horns
• Front and rear mounted large plows
• Long hood mounted bell
• DCC+Sound units feature prototypical long hood forward operation
PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Built in November 1980, Southern Railway’s six GP39X locomotives were built during a time a transition for EMD–from the
Dash-2 series, to the 50-series. These 2,600hp units, powered
by a 12-cylinder 645F3 prime mover, were essentially test
beds (hence the “X” in their designation) for future mediumhorsepower locomotives that would be part of the forthcoming 50-series. While resembling Phase I GP50s at first glance
… “tapered” sidesills, “pointed” anticlimbers, rounded blower
housing, and tall radiator intakes … these units had only a pair
of 48” “Q-Fans” for radiator cooling, as well as revised clean air
compartment and engine compartment layouts, in deference to
their shorter 12-cylinder prime mover (vs. the 16-cylinder version used in the GP50).
Keeping with Southern Railway practice, these units, numbered 4600-4605, were equipped with 81” tall high short hoods,
control stands set up for long-hood forward operation, bell on
the long hood end, dual Nathan 5-chime horns, snowplows fore
and aft, and walkway safety lights mounted to the long hood,
dynamic brake housing, and high short hood.
In 1982, these six units were returned to EMD’s La Grange,
Illinois plant for internal mechanical modifications and upgrades,
essentially making them “true” GP49s, the medium-horsepower
unit EMD cataloged as part of the 50-series. Their horsepower
was raised to 2,800hp as a result, and their designation was
officially changed to GP49 as well.
As medium-horsepower units, they could be found in a variety
of service, from locals to mainline freights. They would continue
on in service for Southern Railway’s successor, Norfolk Southern, gaining a coat of “Thoroughbred” black paint in the process, and remaining on their active roster into the early 2000s
LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:
• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run
• 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
• Coupler cut levers
• MU hoses
• Trainline hose
• See through cab windows
• Full cab interior
• Walkway tread
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Windshield wipers
• Lift rings
• Wire grab irons
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
• Sander lines
• McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible
• 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 trouble free operation
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction
and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds for the model
for safe storage