The SD50 was produced in response to increasingly tough competition from GE Transportation Systems, whose Dash 7 line was proving quite successful with railroads. While EMD’s SD40-2 was a reliable and trusted product, GE’s line included locomotives up to 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) with more modern technology, as well as very competitive finance and maintenance deals. EMD responded throughout the SD50 program by offering discounts on large orders.

GM-EMD had previously produced 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) locomotives, the SD45 and later SD45-2, but these used huge, 20-cylinder engines with high fuel consumption, and had reliability problems when first introduced. Demand for the 45 series dropped sharply after the 1970s fuel crisis. The SD50 used an updated version of the V16 645 used in the SD40-2, uprated to 3,500 hp (2,600 kW)- and later 3,600 hp (2,685 kW) - at 950 rpm from 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) at 900 rpm. This proved to be a step too far. Due to this, many SD50s were rebuilt and/or derated to 3000hp, and gave reliable service for many years. Rebuilt versions can still be found in service today.

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Features:

• Fully assembled and ready-to-run
  
• Separately applied wire grab irons
  
• Separately applied air tanks
  
• MU hoses
  
• Separately applied coupler cut levers (not shown)
  
• Fine scale handrails molded in engineering plastic
  
• Etched metal windshield wipers (Not illustrated)
  
• Standard twin sealed-beam headlight with anti-glare shields
  (unless noted)
  
• See-through dynamic brake and radiator fans
  
• Curved radiator fan grab iron
  
• Exhaust stack
  
• Hood or frame mounted bell per prototype
  
• Detailed 4300 gallon fuel tank (unless different capacity is noted)
  
• HTC trucks Hyatt or Timken roller bearings (per prototype)
  
• McHenry scale knuckle spring couplers
  
• Highly-detailed, injection molded body featuring new tooling
  
• Painted and printed for realistic decoration
  
• See through cab windows
  
• Bi-directional constant lighting so headlight brightness remains consistent
  
• With Sound version features Econami Sound by Soundtraxx
  
• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth and quiet operation
  
• All-wheel electrical pickup
  
• 5-pole motor with flywheels and multi-link drivetrain for troublefree operation
  
• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track
  
• Minimum radius: 18”
  
• Recommended radius: 22”

DCC w/Sound Features:

• Onboard Econami Sound by SoundTraxx
• 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
• Excellent Slow speed control
• Effect lighting (if applicable) using F5 and/or F6
• Program a multiple unit (MU) lashup with lead unit only horn, bell, and lights
• Many functions can be altered via Configuration Value (CV) changes

"Primed For Grime" Features:

• Duplicated look and feel of “In Service” equipment; “Tattered and Torn” just like the real thing
• Faded base colors matched to the prototype
• Patches applied and shaped per road number matching each corresponding side to the prototype
• Perfect starting point for adding grime and rust

Road Number Specific Features:

• Long hood forward
  
• Firecracker antenna
  
• Timken roller bearings
  
• Long hood mounted Leslie 5-chime air horn
  
• Small EMD snow plow
  
• Sunshades
  
• Wind deflectors
• Era: 1990's+