Dear HO Scale Customers;

Athearn Genesis is excited to announce New EMD (Electro-Motive Division) SD80MAC Diesel Locomotives

Burlington Northern

Burlington Northern was a pioneer of AC traction technology, testing EMD’s SD60MAC before placing a large order for the SD70MAC production version. They were also no stranger to 20-cylinder locos, operating numerous SD45s and F45s in the 1970s.

What if BN decided to take the next step in horsepower after the SD70MAC? Here is what these units would have looked like in Grinstein Green.

 

Norfolk Southern

Conrail’s 30 SD80MACs were split up in 1999, with Norfolk Southern getting 17 units (numbered 7200–7216). They were the first AC traction units on the NS. Many of them wore patched CR colors, but a few early repaints featured the original NS logo.

 

NS FEATURES:

• Former CR repaints; original NS logo
• Different antenna, horn, and warning label placements per road number

 

CSX

CSX received 13 of Conrail’s SD80MACs. Starting in the early 2000s, they were repainted into the YN3 scheme.

 

CSX FEATURES:

• YN3 Scheme
• Different GPS dome placement per road number
• Unique 0804 offered for first time

 

Great Northern

GN was synonymous with the EMD SD45. They owned the first production units, including #400 “Hustle Muscle”, as well as their cowlbodied F45 cousins.

Had GN remained its own entity into the 1990s, here is what a resurgence of EMD 20-cylinder power might have looked like on that road.

 

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

With the increase in available adhesion and tractive effort due to ACtraction technology, an unofficial horsepower race between the two dominant locomotive builders was on.

The SD80MAC was the first EMD locomotive to utilize a V20 engine since the SD45 series. For Conrail, the SD80MACs were the first AC-traction diesel locomotives on the roster. These locomotives became Conrail’s choice for handling long and heavy coal trains on their Pittsburgh and Boston Lines, also over their Allegheny Mountain routes in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and New York.

After the split-up of Conrail in 1999, the SD80MACs went to CSX Transportation, and Norfolk Southern. Eventually NS traded with CSX to acquire the remaining SD80MACs becoming the sole operator of these models to date.

 

SD80MAC SERIES 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
• Illuminated ground lights above front trucks, front and rear walkway lights, and number boards
• Etched, see-through walkway steps
• 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” — Recommended radius: 22”

 

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
• 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, protofreelancing, 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?”

 

Great Northern

GN was synonymous with the EMD SD45. They owned the first production units, including #400 “Hustle Muscle”, as well as their cowlbodied F45 cousins.

Had GN remained its own entity into the 1990s, here is what a resurgence of EMD 20-cylinder power might have looked like on that road.

 

 

Order Due Date: April 24, 2026

Anticipated Delivery Date: August 2027

 

Looking for more Athearn EMD (Electro-Motive Division) SD80MAC Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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