Athearn Genesis G65826 HO Scale EMD GP50 Burlington Northern BN 3141

The most significant difference in the GP50 from earlier designs like the GP40 was upgraded components (like a turbocharger silencer and new type of blower housing) and increased horsepower. The locomotive also introduced a new “anti-wheel-slip” technology where the locomotive horsepower output was reduced if a wheel slip condition was introduced. It also included features already common on earlier models such as dynamic braking (a system for temporarily employing traction motors as generators and using the resulting electromotive force to slow the train), and an airtight hood that kept out dust, dirt and other particles from reaching internal components.

All the companies that purchased the GP50 have now been absorbed into other systems. However, a few of their successors continue to operate the units. A number GP50s have rebuilt for better fuel economy and continue in service today.

In an effort to help reduce grade crossing accidents and be more visible to motorists, BN applied orange paint to the front of select locomotives. Due to the colors used, they were nicknamed “Tiger stripes” by railfans. This scheme was later revised to the “white face” scheme adopted in the early 1990’s

FEATURES:

• Phase II Body with angled blower housing
• Small EMD plow
• Leslie 3-chime horn
• Single Firecracker Antenna
• Toilet hatch on nose
• Correct beacon per prototype (Operational in DCC)
• Orange/black front
• Western Cullen style beacon
• Full cab interior
• Wire grab irons
• Coupler cut levers
• See-through cab windows
• Flexible rubber trainline hose
• Flexible rubber MU hoses
• Etched see-through steps
• Walkway tread
• Lift rings
• Sander lines
• Windshield wipers
• McHenry® scale knuckle couplers – Kadee compatible
• Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes
• 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
• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance
• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes
• 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-including lit number boards, ground lights, and marker lights (if applicable)
• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power
• Packaging securely holds model for safe storage
• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

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