Dear HO Scale Customers;

Athearn Genesis is excited to announce New EMD (Electro-Motive Division) GP38-2 Diesel Locomotives

Reading & Northern

The Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) operates a fleet of EMD GP38-2 locomotives that serve as versatile 2,000-horsepower road switchers for both freight and passenger operations across Pennsylvania. Among the most recognizable is #2026, unveiled in a patriotic paint scheme celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. RBMN GP38-2 locomotives are assigned as needed to the railroad’s passenger excursion trains—including Lehigh Gorge excursions—as well as general freight service, reflecting RBMN’s practice of using its locomotives in mixed-service assignments rather than dedicating them exclusively to passenger or freight operations

 

RBMN FEATURES:

• 81” Nose with ratchet brake, no class lights
• Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights
• Dynamic brake hatch, extended range
• Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #2026 Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
• #2010 Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
• #2011 Ex-NS, Nathan 5-chime horn
• #2017 Ex-NS, Ex-PC, Leslie 3-chime Horn

 

Union Pacific

Union Pacific’s GP38N locomotives are modernized versions of the EMD GP38-2, rebuilt with computerized control systems, microprocessor-based electronics, and other reliability upgrades. Rather than being newly constructed, these locomotives originated primarily from GP38-2s inherited through predecessor railroads that became part of the Union Pacific system. Many were acquired through the railroad’s major mergers with the Missouri Pacific (MP), Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW), and Southern Pacific (SP).

The “N” designation identifies locomotives that have been modernized with contemporary electronic control systems and other technological improvements while retaining their original 2,000-horsepower EMD 645 diesel engine and proven mechanical components. These upgrades enhance reliability, diagnostics, and operating efficiency, extending the service life of the locomotives.

Today, Union Pacific GP38N locomotives are assigned primarily to yard switching, transfer service, local freight operations, and other duties where dependable low-speed performance is more important than high-speed mainline operation. Their combination of proven GP38-2 design and modern technology makes them valuable workhorses across Union Pacific’s network.

 

UP FEATURES:

• 88” Nose with ratchet Brake, no class lights
• Corrugated grilles, Q fans, rear number boards
• Non-dynamic brake hatch, late (angled box)
• Large front anticlimber (no drop step)
• Dual flashing strobes, positioned per prototype
• 3600 gallon fuel tank

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #675 Short ground plane for Sinclair antenna (NEW TOOLING!), Nathan 3-chime horn on triangular bracket
• #726 Nathan 3-chime horn on square bracket
• #796 Tall ground plane for Sinclair antenna (NEW TOOLING!), Nathan 3-chime horn (no bracket)

 

Conrail

Conrail operated one of the largest fleets of EMD GP38-2 locomotives in North America, rostering a total of 338 units during its history. The first 223 GP38-2s were originally purchased by the Penn Central between 1972 and 1973 and were transferred directly to Conrail upon its formation in April 1976. Numbered 7940–8162, these early-production locomotives featured an 81-inch low short hood, wire-mesh radiator grilles, and were delivered without anti-climbers, making them readily distinguishable from later GP38-2 production. The GP38-2 became one of Conrail’s most versatile locomotive classes. These four-axle road switchers handled a wide range of assignments, including local freight service, road switching, transfer runs, yard switching, and branch line operations throughout the Conrail system. Their reliability and operational flexibility made them indispensable workhorses.

 

CR FEATURES:

• 81” Low nose with ratchet brake and marker lights
• Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear marker lights
• Dynamic brake hatch, standard range
• Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step
• 2600 gallon fuel tank
• Red marker lights

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #7990 Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
• #7997 Leslie 3-chime horn (low profile manifold)
• #7998 Leslie 3-chime horn (standard manifold)

 

CSX Transportation

CSX’s GP38-2 fleet is one of the most diverse in North America, having been assembled through decades of mergers, acquisitions, and inherited locomotive rosters rather than a single large purchase. The railroad originally acquired GP38-2 locomotives from numerous predecessor railroads, including Seaboard Coast Line (SCL), Louisville & Nashville (L&N), Georgia Railroad (GA), Clinchfield Railroad (CRR), Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O), Baltimore & Ohio (B&O), and Durham & Southern (D&S), as well as Conrail (CR) or its predecessor, Penn Central (PC). Today, CSX GP38-2 locomotives are commonly assigned to local freight, yard switching, branch line operations, and work trains. Their varied heritage, spanning multiple historic railroads, makes the CSX GP38-2 fleet one of the most historically diverse collections of second-generation EMD road switchers still in operation in North America.

 

CSXT FEATURES:

• 81” Nose with ratchet brake and headlight
• Chicken wire grilles, close spaced fans, rear number boards, rear class lights
• Standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #2532 Ex-SCL, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 3200-gallon fuel tank
• #2537 Ex-SCL, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), Leslie 3-chime horn, 3200-gallon fuel tank
• #2626 Ex-LN, dynamic brake hatch, (extended range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 2600-gallon fuel tank
• #2649 Ex-LN, dynamic brake hatch, (extended range), Leslie 5-chime horn, 2600-gallon fuel tank

 

Soo Line

The Soo Line Railroad (SOO) operated a large fleet of EMD GP38-2 locomotives, acquiring them between 1977 and 1983 to serve as the backbone of its medium-horsepower freight and switching fleet. These versatile road switchers became a defining mechanical and visual presence across the Upper Midwest, where they earned a reputation for reliability and operational flexibility. The first GP38-2 was delivered in September 1977 as road number 790, later renumbered 4400. This initial group of ten locomotives featured the railroad’s distinctive red SOO lettering and marked the beginning of a major modernization program. Between 1978 and 1983, SOO expanded the fleet through additional production orders, ultimately rostering locomotives numbered 4400–4452. The fleet was further supplemented by GP38-2 locomotives acquired from Milwaukee Road (MILW) following its incorporation into the SOO. Later, SOO introduced its solid “candy apple red” paint scheme in 1989 to replace its classic white and red “hockey stick” scheme. SOO GP38-2 locomotives handled a wide variety of assignments, including branch line and local service, transfer runs, industrial switching, and yard operations.

 

SOO FEATURES:

• 81” or 88” Nose (per prototype) with ratchet brake, no class lights
• Corrugated or chicken wire grilles (per prototype)
• Close spaced fans
• Dynamic or non-dynamic brake hatch per prototype
• Nathan 3-chime horn
• Large front anticlimber or drop step, per prototype
• 3200-gallon fuel tank

 

ROAD NUMBER SPECIFIC FEATURES:

• #4403 88” Nose, corrugated grilles, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights, non-dynamic brake hatch (late - angled box), large front anticlimber (no drop step)
• #4418 88” Nose, corrugated grilles, rear number boards, blanked rear class lights, non-dynamic brake hatch (late - angled box), large front anticlimber (no drop step)
• #4515 Ex-MILW, 81” Nose, chicken wire grilles, no rear number boards, no rear class lights, dynamic brake hatch (standard range), standard front and rear anticlimbers with drop step

 

 

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.

 

GP38-2 SERIES LOCOMOTIVE NEW FEATURES:

• Operating Class Lights (Where equipped based on prototype)
• Operating Number boards (Where equipped based on prototype)

 

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”

 

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

 

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: October 31, 2026

 

Looking for more Athearn EMD (Electro-Motive Division) GP-38 Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

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