Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific purchased a batch of late production GP38-2’s in the mid 1980’s. These GMD built models were spec’d with straight switcher style steps, tri-light class lights on both ends, front ditch lights, winterization hatch, the later “Shute” style blower housing, and the bell mounted between the front number boards. Only a handful of these made it into the repainted scheme with their class lights still intact. By the end of the 2010’s, they were all modified with the class lights removed. By popular demand, we are giving the Canadian modeler an opportunity to add more GMD GP38-2’s to their rosters!

 

CP FEATURES:

• First time with operating Canadian-style class lights! (Effect in DCC)

• Late body with corrugated grilles and Q-fans

• Front ditch lights

• Nose headlight

• Bell between cab number boards

• 3200 gallon fuel tank

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #3042 As-delivered “Mutlimark” scheme, relocated horn to long hood, Timken axle bearings

• #3066 As-delivered “Mutlimark” scheme, relocated horn to long hood, Timken axle bearings

• #3071 Repainted “Golden Beaver” scheme, mixed Timken/Hyatt bearings, different plow per road number

• #3166 Repainted “Golden Beaver” scheme, mixed Timken/Hyatt bearings, different plow per road number

 

Union Pacific - Modern

Starting in the mid 2000’s, UP began to rebuild older EMDs to help extend their serviceable life. These GP38-2s were designated by UP as “GP38N’s” and were completely rebuilt with an added fresh coat of UP paint. While retaining some SP detail spotting features, they were used along side the rest of the UP local and yard service fleet.

 

UP FEATURES:

• Mid/Late body with corrugated grilles and Q-fans

• RCL strobes (effect in DCC)

• K3 horn on long hood

• Electronic bell

• FWD and RVS ditch lights

• UP medium front plow

• Extended range dynamic brakes

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #578 Ex SP #4815, Whip antenna on base, 2-stack exhaust

• #594 Ex SP #4831, large Sinclair antenna on base, 4-stack exhaust

 

Union Pacific - 1980s Version

After the 1982 merger with the Missouri Pacific, UP inherited a large batch of GP38-2s. They were dispersed all over the UP system and eventually painted into UP colors working in yards, locals and branch lines. A unique spotting feature not common to UP practice were the lack of locomotive dynamic brakes. UP would end up inheriting more non-dynamic GP38-2s after the MKT merger of 1988.

UP FEATURES:

• Leslie 3-chime horn

• Extra jacking pads

• Front small plow

• Painted-over class lights

• Non-dynamic brakes

• 4-stack exhaust

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #2165 Ex-MP 2165, mid/late body with corrugated grills and Q-fans, “North Little Rock” style lettering, angled paper air filter box,  side hood mounted bell, late style step wells, 3600 gallon fuel tank

• #2257 Ex-MP 2257, mid-body with corrugated grills and standard fans, standard UP lettering, squared paper air filter box, frame mounted bell, early style step wells, 3200 gallon fuel tank, 4 large spark arrestors

• #2322 Ex-MP 2322, mid/late body with corrugated grills and Q-fans, standard UP lettering, angled paper air filter box, frame mounted bell, late style step wells, 3600 gal fuellon tank

 

Norfolk Southern

With the formation of Norfolk Southern in 1982, the road adopted a simple black scheme with stylized “NS” on the flanks. Early repaints had solid black frames- white markings were added later. These units are of Southern heritage, and feature the longer radiators that were a trademark of early-production GP38-2s.

 

NS FEATURES:

• Two Leslie RS5T horns

• Long hood walkway lights (non-operating)

• Long hood-forward operation

• Two “firecracker” antennas

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #5007 All-weather window on left side, sunshade and mirrors on right side, grab irons on pilots (MU hose holders)

• #5013 All-weather window on left side, sunshade and mirrors on right side, MU hose pockets on pilots

• #5036 Sunshade and mirrors on both sides, grab irons on pilots (MU hose holders)

 

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

By the early 1970s, many first generation diesels were reaching the end of their service lives. The most common replacement locomotive became the GP38-2. EMD began production of the 16-cylinder, non-turbocharged, 2000 horsepower engine in 1972. Unlike the GP38’s engine, which drove a generator to supply power to the traction motors, the GP38-2s prime mover drove an alternator which produced AC electrical current that was rectified to DC to power the four traction motors. Another major change for the GP38- 2 was the introduction of the “dash 2” modular electrical cabinet. For more than 40 years, the GP38-2 has worked main line freights, locals, switching jobs, yard service, helpers, snow fighting trains, and hump power. Many remain in service today.

 

GENESIS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers

• Trainline hose

• Full cab interior

• Windshield wipers

• Wire grab irons

• MU hoses

• See-through cab windows

• Walkway tread

• Lift rings

• Sander lines

• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector

• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance

• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes

• Body-mounted McHenry operating scale knuckle couplers

• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, precision machined flywheels, and multi-link drivetrain for trouble free operation

• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and 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

• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, field measurements, photographs, and more

• Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes

• Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage

• Minimum radius: 18”

 

GP38-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE NEW FEATURES:

• Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)

• Operating Number boards

 

SOUND-EQUIPPED MODELS ALSO FEATURE

• Onboard DCC decoder with SoundTraxx Tsunami2 sound

• Dual cube speakers for optimal sound quality

• Sound units operate in both DC and DCC

• Full DCC functions available when operated in DCC mode

• Engine, horn, and bell sounds work in DC

• All functions NMRA compatible in DCC mode

• Precision slow speed control

• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights

• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

• CV chart included in the box

 

PRIMED FOR GRIME MODELS FEATURE

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment

• Faded base colors matched to the prototype

• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

 

Order Due Date: February 23, 2024

Anticipated Delivery Date: July 2025

Looking for more Athearn EMD GP-30 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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