Building on a rich tradition started in 1946, the Athearn brand is home to the hobby’s best-loved models. Athearn has brought the joy of model railroading to you for 75 years, starting from our classic ‘Blue-Box” kits to our most recent Genesis 2.0 line. With accurate detailing and painting, Athearn is the brand that any hobbyist is proud to own and operate. No matter your era or favorite railroad, Athearn truly is “Trains in Miniature.”

 

 

PROTOTYPE SPECIFIC INFORMATION

Introduced in 1995, the EMD SD90MAC was intended to become that builder’s most-powerful single-engine diesel locomotive. The new locomotive was to use EMD’s newly-developed 265H prime mover, featuring 6000 horsepower. However, this engine was experiencing technical problems in development, which led to the first groups of locomotives being delivered with the EMD 710G prime mover of 4300 horsepower (the intent being to retrofit these with the more-powerful 265H at a later date). Ironically, the technical problems with the 265H were never fully resolved, and no conversions were done. The 710G-engined SD90MACs outlasted their later 265H cousins in service by a wide margin, with some units only recently having been retired or sold by Union Pacific, and other railroads choosing to rebuild them for continued service.

The Athearn Genesis 2.0 SD90MAC features all of the cutting-edge detail and operational features that are expected by discerning modelers: Working number boards and ground lights, see-through steps, numerous separately-applied details on the body and underframe, and a heavy die-cast frame for massive pulling power.

 

GENESIS 2.0 FEATURES:

By integrating and pioneering some of the latest model advancements in the industry, Athearn is redefining model fidelity with Genesis 2.0

• Etched, see-through walkway steps

• Illuminated number boards

• Illuminated ground lights

• DCC+Sound models feature dual Sugarcube speakers for optimal sound quality

 

SD90MAC SERIES LOCOMOTIVE FEATURES:

• Brand new model previously only available in brass

• Fully-assembled and ready-to-run

• DCC-ready features Quick Plug plug-and-play technology with 21-pin NEM connector

• Accurately-painted and –printed paint schemes

• Scaled from prototype resources including drawings, photographs, and more

• Coupler cut levers

• Trainline hose

• Full cab interior

• Windshield wipers

• Wire grab irons

• Rubber MU hoses

• See through cab windows

• Walkway tread

• Lift rings

• Sander lines

• Fine-scale Celcon handrails for scale appearance

• Detailed fuel tank with fuel fillers, fuel gauges, & breather pipes

• McHenry scale knuckle couplers - Kadee compatible

• Genesis driveline with 5-pole skew wound motor, and precision machined flywheels

• All-wheel drive with precision gears for smooth & quiet operation

• All-wheel electrical pickup provides reliable current flow

• Wheels with RP25 contours operate on all popular brands of track

• LED Lighting for realistic appearance

• Heavy die-cast frame for greater traction and more pulling power

• Packaging securely holds for the model for safe storage

 

 

SOUND EQUPPED 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

 

 

Union Pacific

Photo Credit: Craig Walker

 

 

Union Pacific was the largest buyer of the SD90MAC with 309 units total; the railroad designation was SD9043AC as they were delivered with the 710G engine rated at 4300hp. Taking delivery of the first locomotives in 1995 and the last in 1999; originally numbered in the 8000 series, these locomotives were renumbered in 2012 and some are still on UP’s roster. 3681 is one of only a few SD90MACs to receive the flag paint scheme.

 

UP FEATURES:

• As renumbered to 3470-3775 in 2012

• 3681 as repainted with flag, June 2015

• EOTD holder between starter capacitor box and fuel gauge

• Front only ditch lights mounted on pilot face

• Both Cab door options, with and without window

• Union Pacific specific cab antennas

 

 

Order Due Date: June 25, 2021

Anticipated Delivery Date: July 2022

Looking for more Athearn Genesis HO Scale SD90MAC Diesel Locomotives? Click here!

 

Looking for more Athearn Genesis HO Scale items? Click here!

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