Dear HO Scale Customers;

Athearn Genesis is excited to announce New EMD SD70ACe Diesel Locomotives

BNSF Railway

BNSF railway was an early adopter of the SD70ACe, finding it ideal for coal service in the Powder River Basin. These units are a from a group built in 2006 with nose-mounted headlights. (Group 9370 - 9399 would subsequently have the headlights mounted on the cab between the number boards.)

 

BNSF FEATURES:

• Non-isolated cab with nose headlight

• Updated artwork with correct black masking on nose

• First time with Tsunami2 sound, LEDs, and other updated features

• Cab camera

 

Santa Fe

ATSF SD75Ms 200-250 were the last units delivered to the railroad before the BNSF merger. For a short time, BNSF used a version of the “Superfleet” scheme with their initials spelled out, but this was the last gasp of this famous paint scheme. If Santa Fe had decided to avoid the megamergers of the 1990s, it’s likely that they would have ordered SD70ACe units from EMD in this striking red and silver scheme.

 

ATSF FEATURES:

• Details based on BNSF units in this run

• Non-isolated cab with nose headlight

• PTC roof included to install at consumer’s option

• Cab camera

• Large GPS dome

 

CSX

CSX’s SD70ACe units were delivered at the very beginning of production. CSX had recently unveiled a new paint scheme called YN3, which replaced the YN2 scheme on new and repainted locos. The ACEs were some of the first units delivered in this new scheme. But what if CSX was still using YN2 when they were delivered? Here is our take on what they would have looked like.

 

CSXT FEATURES:

• Details based on other CSX units in this run

• Non-isolated cab with high headlight

• PTC roof included to install at consumer’s option

• Large GPS dome

 

CSX

CSX’s 20 SD70ACes were built in 2004, making them some of the earliest units built. They were a notable acquisition because at the time, CSX mainly relied on GE models for its heavy-haul services. In 2017 they were sold to Progress Rail and put into lease service.

 

CSXT FEATURES:

• Updated artwork and colors

• Non-isolated cab with high headlight

• Large GPS dome

 

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

In order to meet stricter diesel locomotive emissions standards imposed by EPA Tier II regulations, EMD modified the SD70MAC to create the SD70Ace and SD70M-2. Each model is powered by a 16-cylinder, 4300-horsepower diesel engine. On the SD70M-2, the prime mover drives an alternator and produces AC current that is rectified to DC current, which powers the traction motors. On the SD70ACe, the DC current is then “chopped” back into AC to power the traction motors.

Much of the external design is based on the SD90 series locomotives. Similar features include the full height nose door and rectangular windshields, the large flared radiators with two fans, and the positioning of the dynamic brake equipment at the rear of the long hood. In addition, the inverters were moved from inside the long hood to a box on the walkway behind the fireman’s side of the cab.

 

SD70ACe SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Flexible rubber trainline hose

• Etched see-through steps

• Lit Number Boards & Truck Lights

• Flexible rubber MU hoses

• Lift rings

• Sander lines

• Minimum radius: 18” — Recommended radius: 22”

 

GENESIS DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Coupler cut levers

• Trainline hose

• Full cab interior

• Windshield wipers

• MU hoses

• See-through cab windows

• Walkway tread

• Wire grab irons

• Roof is attached with magnets for easy removal

• 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, and retention tanks

• 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

• Eight-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

• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run

• Packaging securely holds the model for safe storage

 

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

 

LEGENDARY LIVERIES

What are Legendary Liveries? An Athearn exclusive, they are the ultimate answer to “What if?” Featuring some of the most popular railroad paint schemes of all time, these models are perfect for collecting, proto freelancing, or just plain fun! Whether company proposed paint schemes, canceled locomotive orders, or alternate takes on history, Legendary Liveries are fun and unique additions to any roster. Enjoy these items, and answer the ultimate railroad question of: “What if?”

 

North Shore Mining

Northshore Mining runs a 47-mile railway connecting its taconite mine in Babbitt to a processing plant at Silver Bay, on the North Shore of Lake Superior. They acquired several SD70ACe units from CSX, which they use in this decicated haul operation.

 

NSMX FEATURES:

• First time offered!

• Large GPS dome

• Former CSX units

• Horn type differs per road number

 

Order Due Date: November 29, 2024

Anticipated Delivery Date: May 2026

 

Looking for more Athearn SD-70 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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