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

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

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